Christmas 2013

I realize this is pretty late, but I wanted to make sure I captured our Christmas before moving onto the new year. So here we go!

We kicked off the Christmas season by heading out to find our Christmas tree. Picking out our Christmas tree has been one of my favorite things to do ever since I was a little girl. I love everything about it! This Christmas, we went with the very first tree we picked out (which was a first) and it was perfect!

Wrenn had a blast decorating the tree! She started with her Buckeye necklace, then added her Christmas socks before moving onto the real ornaments. Ha! 

 This Christmas we did a couple Christmas art projects. We made crayon hearts to give as gifts and a paper Christmas tree for the fridge. Wrenn was so excited to hold the glue stick all by herself. It's the little things! 

We had to wake Wrennie Pooh up on Christmas morning since she was still sleeping at 9:00 am. Parker Buddy had been up since 6:00 am and wanted to see what all the fuss was about!

 

 Waiting to go see what Santa brought! 

We had a very blessed Christmas! 

Lots of Love,

-Jessica

Be Still in 2014

I rang in the new year sitting on the couch in my comfys with my mom and dad.  The hubby fell asleep before midnight and the kids were snoozing (for once) in their room. Sadly, I didn't even see the ball drop because I was too busy trying to post a Happy New Year! message on Facebook.  It made me stop and realize that I spend too much time not enjoying moments. With all of the at-your-hands electronics its hard to truly be in the moment anymore. There is always something to distract us.  I remember before I had the twins someone advising me to have my phone nearby when I was nursing so I would have something to do. I followed the advice and I almost always had something to distract me during those moments. But why?  Why did I need to be distracted and removed from the moment?  Why wasn't it enough to just be there with the twins and enjoy the moments I had with them? To smell their sweet baby smell, to hear their sweet baby sounds, to feel their soft baby skin.  Why did I have to play a game on my phone to block out the two miracles with me?  Why couldn't I just be still?  To set things straight I started a new kind of resolution list for myself this year. I wanted to push my limits to think outside of my normal "exercise more, eat healthier" annual vows and set goals that I really truly want to achieve. I also wanted a cute reminder of what I promised myself to do for the year, so I made this print to hang in my office and at home. 

 

 

What are your new year's resolutions? Let us know! Want a reminder for your home or office?  Download the New Year's Resolution image, right click and save the file.  Then simply insert the image into a word document (or your favorite design software) and add a text box to type your own list. 

 

 

Happy New Year!  Let's make 2014 a great one!

 

 

Lots of love,
 

Go with the flow - Holiday Photo Shoot

We did a holiday shoot with my very talented friend - owner and photographer of Coley & Co. Photography.  She is truly one of the most talented people I know.  Let me tell you, I'm not very good at the whole family photo shoot thing.  I wait to the last minute to do these things and half the time I forget small things like planning outfits and big things like making sure my husband is in the photos. When I did my pregnancy photos and the twins' first photo shoot my hubby wasn't even home for either of the shoots! I barely even brushed my hair the day of the twins photo shoot because it never occurred to me that maybe just maybe we might have wanted a picture of all of us...because I mean why in the world would we want to capture that moment!?  Thankfully my photographer was wiser than me and had me sit in for a few of the photos at least.  But no picture of Joey with the newborn twins.  Worst. Wife. Ever.
This year sadly wasn't any different.  Last minute we were rushing around trying to get dressed - no pre-planning for this group to make sure we matched. Nope, we just grabbed what was clean and what we thought might look nice in a photo and hoped for the best. Thanks to the talent of our friend I couldn't have asked for better photos.  I love them so much I cried when I saw them. The photos are actually a great reminder that we all need to take a step back and just go with the flow sometimes.  We don't always have to plan every part of our lives because sometimes letting things happen naturally really does make for the best memories and photos!

PS on the flip side of not planning, I do highly recommend trying to order your holiday cards in a timely manner so you aren't sitting around praying that they get here in time to send before Christmas like I am currently doing!!!

Lots of Love,

The Brehl Family

Favorite Things Vol. 4 - Gifts for the Creative Girl

1. Stella and Dot leona pendant necklace (This particular necklace is sold out but they have a ton of great options! Or check out a similar version at Shopbop)

2. Madewell sweatshirt dress (unfortunately this dress seems to be sold out online, but follow the link to get the number to a sales representative that will help you track it down in stores.  Or check out this similar version

3. Antropologie capri blue mercury glass jar candle

4. Hunter original tall rain boots in new green

5. OPI nailpolish in an affair in red square

6. Threshold gold dot jewelry box (this cute little jewelry box comes in various sizes, I have the small version which is perfect to hold my earrings on my nightstand)

7. Canon EOS Rebel t3i digital SLR camera with 18-55mm IS lens

8. Burberry small check strap watch 

Lots of love,
 

Favorite Things Vol. 3 - Gift Ideas for the Girl on the Go

1. Starbucks reusable cup (These are only $1 and make great stocking stuffers! Sold in stores)

2. JCrew factory puffer coat (looks like they just sold out of this coat online during  Black Friday/Cyber Monday, but the long version is great too!) 

3. Tory Burch aviator sunglasses

4. Tom's washed camo canvas women's classic 

5. Bobbi Brown's lip balm

6. iPad 2 (or iPad Air for those that need the latest and greatest

7. Kut from the Kloth Dianna skinny jeans 

Lots of love,
 

Favorite Things Vol.2 - Gift Ideas for Staying Cozy

1. Gap plaid scarf

2. J.Crew factory earmuffs (sold out in brown but equally stylish in black!)

3. Bath and body works lavender vanilla sleep pillow mist

4. LLBean 10' shearling lined women's bean boots

5. Sheinside beige long sleeve geometric pattern pullover sweater 

(note takes a very long time to receive from this company so order quick!)

6. Q&A a day: 5-year journal 

7. Loft ponte leggings

Lots of love, 
 

Favorite Things Vol. 1 - Gift Ideas

As the holiday season nears I have decided to do a little series that might help spark some gift ideas.  This week is all about my favorite things, pulled from items I already own and love.  I hope you find something that will help you check someone off of your list! 

1. Serena & Lily Fouta Bath Towels in Dove Grey

2. J.Crew Excursion Quilted Vest

3. Madewell Sidewalk Skimmers in Calf Hair

4. Burberry Classic for Women Eau de Parfum

5. Stella & Dot Pyramid Double Wrap Bracelet

(the green is sold out but this black one is equally as cute)

6. Madewell iPhone Case in Buffalo Check Fire

7. Lindsay Letters Art Print - I love them all!

Lots of love,  

Try it out Tuesday - Marshmallow S'more Pops

My team at work has started "Treat Fridays" where one person is assigned to bring in treats for everyone one Friday.  For my treat day I decided to do s'more chocolate dipped marshmallow pops. I got the idea from another co-worker who made them and said they were incredibly easy. 

Ingredients
1 bag of marshmallows (the large size)
1 bag of milk chocolate chips
Graham crackers (or other topping finely chopped. I used Heath bits of brickle that I had in my cabinet)
Lollipop sticks or paper straws (I used paper straws)

Directions
1. Melt 1/2 the bag of chocolate chips in the microwave. Start with a minute and stir.  The chips won't look melted but once you start stirring the heat from the center starts to melt them.  If they aren't fully melted pop in the microwave for 20-30 secs longer.
2. Meanwhile, crumble the graham crackers in a food processor or blender.  Blend until very finely crumbled.
3. Take one marshmallow and one stick or straw.  If you are using paper straws cut them in half.
4. Roll the marshmallow in the chocolate covering all sides. You can also dip the top of the marshmallows, but I like chocolate so I wanted more chocolate on mine.
5. Roll the chocolate covered marshmallow in the crumbled graham crackers. 
6. Place on wax paper
7. Repeat until you have made the desired amount of marshmallows
8. Share and enjoy!

My verdict:  A bit time consuming, but a very yummy snack great for adults and kids. 
My team's verdict: Lots of compliments and members taking home extras for their kids.

Lots of love,

Hanging with Hattie is SnOw Fun!

Over the weekend Hattie and I had a girls day.  We met friends for lunch then headed to the busiest place on Earth - the American Girl store.  Hattie loves looking at the dolls and wants a "new baby" for Christmas.  It was fun watching her face light up looking at all the doll babies and hearing her sweet voice ask sweetly "Can I just hold this baby doll please mama" It was a fun afternoon, made even more fun with the snow that started falling as we arrived back home. Hattie loved it and wanted to build a snowman! It felt like winter had arrived and for the first time in years, I wasn't bummed out by it because winter and snow is such a wonder to kids it's hard not to enjoy it with them.

 

 

 Lots of love,