My Little Wishlist

Since it is getting that time of year again, wish lists are popping up everywhere. So, I thought I would take this blog as an opportunity to vaguely hint at a few things that I wouldn't mind to end up under the tree this year.   If you haven't gotten me anything yet, here is a little help from me to you! This might also be helpful if you are  looking for ideas for other lucky ladies in your life...but basically just buy me everything below.  Thanks.  (p.s. If you don't get my humor, I feel the need to explain that I am actually not this demanding)

wishlist by kmercado988 featuring a canvas shoulder bag

Ted Baker / Deux Lux canvas shoulder bag / Rhinestone necklace / Forever 21 knit beanie hat / Kate Spade makeup bags and case / Butter London sheer makeup / Kate Spade New York 'jules Point' Bottle Stopper / Golden Viper Journal / Jewel In The Rough Pouch / Kate Spade New York 'carlisle Street - Holly' Card Case / Kate Spade New York 'sprinkles' Lip Crayons (Set Of Three) / Tissue Tassel Garland- Tuxedo New Years Eve

What is on your list this year?

Little Moments

When you are running through life, planning the next big thing, sometimes you forget to appreciate the little moments. And that is a shame because the little moment can sometimes be the best moments of them all. 
Today I am reminiscing on one of my favorite recent little moments. Something so simple, most people would pass it by. 
Baking pies with my Grandma.

 You may not know, but my Grandma is a great cook, and an exceptional Christian role model. Baking pies with her is just good for the soul. Do you know Chicken Soup for the Soul?...well this is Apple Pies for the Spirit. 

Having her around my whole life has been such a blessing. But now that I am older, I have learned to appreciate these little moments. Something so simple as baking a pie can be so rewarding when I get to do it with my Mimi (even if she does demote me from apple cutting to apple peeling). I appreciate spending time with her more than anything.

This is a little moment I am going to hold on to for a while....

Another special moment? Catching Papa's love for his Ice Cream on Camera!

I have some pretty awesome Grandparents!

Our First Tree!

This is the first year Nick and I will be spending Christmas together, and we plan on doing it up big time! Starting with the tree...
Another first! We have never had a tree either! We both wanted a live one, so off we went to cut them down in the forest! (Actually we just went to Home Depot, but play along) 
And it turns out I am a tree snob? While waiting in line with our cheaper Douglass Fir, I had a jealous eye for all the more expensive Nobel Firs. What can I say? They looked so much better! They looked more Christmas-y. I decided we must have it! So out of line we hopped for the better, more expensive tree!

Thanks to the very helpful Home Depot people, we got the tree on quickly and went home! Now, getting the tree set up was a different story. At one point, we think that that the tree attempted to swallow Nick whole..

But we fought back and finally got it up! All that was left was decorations!

And here is the final product! Not too shabby if you ask me! I am kind of in love....mostly because it is our first tree together. This tree will always hold a special place in my heart.

 And of course, there is always Hudson...

The Dogs of Thanksgiving

I don't know about you, but our family is a dog family. Just about every family member has their own dog (we are waiting on my brother Bryn, but he'll come around).
And every year, for the holidays, we all bring our pooches with us to my parents house. They have a big yard, which all of our dogs seem to love. 
So looking around one particularly lazy night, I noticed how content all of our dogs were. So, what does the blogger in me think? Photo opp, duh!  Here are the dogs of Thanksgiving!
You all know Hudson by now right? He is my pups, and obviously the one I took the most pictures of (yes, there are more that I didn't upload). Doesn't he just have the sweetest face?

Roddick is the old man of the group. While the other whippersnappers are running around, he just observes with disdain (I don't know if that is true, but that is the vibe I get lol). He is the sweetest dog, and has been in our family the longest. There will always be a special place in my heart for him...

 {Buddies}

Greta is my grandparent's dog, and she has quite the personality. She is a big cuddler, and loves her Mom and Dad very much. One thing though, make sure you don't throw a ball for her, because she will never stop chasing it down...we love her so much!

Blake is my parent's second dog (do you see a tennis theme in their dog names?). He is the tiniest of the group with the biggest spirit. He loves to post up by his mom's side, and never wanders far from her.

By the way, did I mention my dog thinks he is a lap dog even though he is 45lbs? Yeah, he tends to jump on your lap when you least expect it. And he is also really good at stare downs...

 ...and smiling....

Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without all of our dog's by our side.