Tuesday, November 24, 2015

This and That (and a giveaway!)

Today's post is a random assortment of this and that.

Yesterday we got out the Christmas decorations and  I had LOTS of help - including this sweet boy and his super heroes. ;)


About 2:00 p.m. and my house looked like this.  I almost the towel.  Almost.



 After dinner the kiddos all changed into their Christmas jammies and we decorated the tree.  It was awesome.









I wrapped up decorating after 10 pm and even though I am EXHAUSTED it was so much fun.  And I have every intention of basking in the twinkle lights ;)


Along with decorating, we've been doing LOTS of yard work.  We hauled off a ton of branches and leaves in one of the maintenance trucks from Stonebridge.




Any guesses where Mason is???



Breaks from school mean FORTS!  My brother and I were all about forts and pallets during school breaks and I love letting the boys make a huge mess and crash on the floor ;)


She was NOT having a picture, but look how SWEET she looked yesterday ;)


Luke was off running errands with Daddy and when these two got up it was snack and show time ;)



One of our new favorite Christmas tradition/decoration items is this magnetic advent calendar.  Can't wait to start marking off the days!


Last up is the Mother Bruce book.  This sweet book has been on heavy rotation at our house because of it's cute illustrations and funny storyline.


It's about a bear who just really loves eggs and one day, while getting his eggs ready, unknowingly becomes the "mama" to several little goslings. 

The illustrations are PRECIOUS and my boys giggle through the entire book ;)


I love that Mother Bruce has an appreciation for how hard it is to be a mama :)




You can check out Mother Bruce for yourself HERE, but if you think that the book would make a fun present for someone on your list, you can enter below to win a copy of the book as well as a fun pair of these bear oven mitts!  My kids had the best time running around and chasing each other with these and reenacting their favorite scenes from the book.



We have a busy and fun day planned.  We're heading out to get a head start on one of our FAVORITE Holiday traditions - visiting the Gaylord!

Back tomorrow with a Thanksgiving Edition of Recipe Club! :)

PS - Thanks so much to Disney Publishing for providing us with an early copy of this book to review and share and for partnering with me to give a prize pack away!

170 comments :

  1. Andrea! Your house looks beautiful! I cannot wait to see it in person!

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  2. Lov the book recommendation.will get it even if I don't win it!

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  3. Love your decorations - looks beautiful! That book looks so funny. My kids would love it!

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  4. Your tree looks beautiful! Everything is so festive. Tis the season!! The book looks adorable--thanks for the giveaway.

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  5. I love how you decorated your house for the holidays..you are so creative..thank you for sharing...I always look forward to your blog every morning during the week..The book Mother Bruce is so cute and I love the idea with the bear mittens...my nephew would love this to add to his collection of books.....HAPPY THANKSGIVING! !

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  6. My boys would love Mother Bruce! And maybe it might help them appreciate their hard working mama! :)

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  7. Are you seeing ICE when you head to the Gaylord!? That's one of our traditions & I love it!

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  8. I love how you go all out for each Holiday!!

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  9. what a cutie book! love your twinkling christmas lights. looking forward to the recipe club thanksgiving edition!

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  10. Love your house! I need to start decorating! That book is now on my son's list! :)

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  11. this book looks AWESOME!! i can already hear the millions of questions my five year old will ask about why the bear looks so grumpy, etc. ;)

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  12. I love seeing your family and your tree! Thanks for the giveaway:)

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  13. I'm having my 1st baby in January, this book would be the perfect addition to her collection!

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  14. Love your tree. And I would love to win the book for my 8 month old. We love books!

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  15. That looks like such a fun book!

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  16. Cute cute book!! Books are our favorite!

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  17. What's cute book!! Also, your decorations look awesome!! :)

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  18. Your tree looks great! You always decorate so perfect for the holidays! The little touches are my favorite!! Now I need to decorate!!

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  19. Cute book! My kids would love it!

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  20. I love your authenticity from day-to-day. Thanks for being a real momma and sharing so many fun finds with us! :)

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  21. I love all the Christmas pillows. I'm slowly starting a collection of them... I have 3 now... My plan is to have them on every couch and bed !
    :)
    ~Tiffany

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  22. We decorated on Saturday & I was exhausted. I have maybe half the decorations you do too, so I don't know how you got it all done in one day!

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  23. That looks like such a cute book! We decorated this weekend, too!

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  24. Girl!!! That was so quick! You worked hard yesterday to get all those decorations up. They look beautiful!!

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  25. I always look forward to seeing your house decorated for each holiday! Definitely want this book to read to my own kids and preschool class- looks adorable!

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  26. Oh man! I have a lot to do. My kids have been begging for the xmas decor, but since I am having thanksgiving I said after.
    Darling book!

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  27. We love books. This cute book is adorable. :-) Love that it comes with mitts.

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  28. SO jealous your stuff is up! Our lights are on the outside of the house, but not a thing done on the inside. Your tree and everything else looks awesome!

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  29. Your house looks beautiful! I cannot wait to decorate for Christmas in just a few days! That book looks so cute!!

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  30. Your house looks beautiful as always! Cant wait until next year when I have more time to decorate. Thr book looks

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  31. My kids would love this book!!! I can't wait to decorate for Christmas!!

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  32. Love all the decorations! This book looks so cute, I think my 2 year old would love it.

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  33. That book looks incredibly cute! Crossing my fingers for a win, but if not I'm adding it to my must buy list! Your tree looks awesome! :)

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  34. Cute decor, cute kids & cute book!

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  35. This book looks adorable!! Having taught first grade I have a TON of picture books and now that there is a baby on the way I want to get more...but my husband said I can't buy any more until I've read all of the books that we have to the baby 😂😂

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  36. Love your Christmas decorations... how do you get your tree to twinkle so much?
    Love your blog as well :-)
    The book is adorable, so glad you introduce me to new traditions for my family.
    thanks, have a great Thanksgiving

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  37. Love Jack Bauer right in the middle of all the blankets ! What a great dog he is for kids!

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  38. Your tree looks beautiful. Thanks for the giveaway, that looks like a very cute book.

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  39. Your holiday decor is always so gorgeous!!!

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  40. Love your blog! Your family is precious!

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  41. My girls would love this book and those oven mitts! I love your family book club, and this would be a perfect one to add into the mix.

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  42. I love your Christmas decor and the matching jammies! So so precious!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

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  43. Absolutely love your decorations - can't wait to see more pictures of them!

    My little guy is in love with bears so this book would make him VERY happy!

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  44. Your house looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing with all of us.

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  45. You worked HARD yesterday:) I hope you basked in the twinkle lights for a good long time. Can't wait for the full tour, you do festive like no other. Thanks for the book recommendation, several of my grandchildren are the perfect ages for it. Have a great Tuesday, Andrea!

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  46. Your Christmas tree is beautiful! And my kids will definitely be wearing matching pjs as they grow up (number 2 is still in the oven, so we will have to wait until next year).

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  47. I always enjoy your book recommendations! I've never heard of this one and would love to own it. Your family is precious and I'm glad you had such cute helpers to get your house looking all Christmasy :)

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  48. Such a cute book! Thanks for the chance to win one. Love your Christmas decorations...so cozy!!!

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  49. Love the decorations...and love that adorable book even more:) xoxo

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  50. Your house looks great!! Enjoy the season :)

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  51. My kiddos would love that book! So fun!

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  52. Love the tree decorating pics. Your kiddos are adorable in their matching Christmas jammies. Too cute! :)

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  53. Great Christmas decor! Enjoy,

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  54. Love the decorating pics. It takes me so long to decorate, but I love it. Started yesterday. Would love to win the book to give to one of my little nieces.

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  55. Your tree and house looks great, as always! I can't wait to get all my stuff out this week too.

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  56. I love that you do this for your readers! Fun, fun, fun!

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  57. I just ordered the advent calendar for my niece. Thanks for the tip!!
    Your house looks great!

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  58. I had to laugh when I saw the pics with the tubs and boxes piled high - because that is so my house when the Christmas decor comes out! I always have to remind my husband that it gets worse before it gets better (since he's a neat freak ;) Your tree and decor look beautiful! And Happy early Thanksgiving! -Jess, Sweet Little Ones

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  59. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!! Love your blog!!!

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  60. As much as it can be a challange ;) decorating with kiddos my almost 4 year old is so darn excited! It helps with the overwhelmed feeling! :)

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  61. Cute book! Did you post the winner for your last giveaway yet?

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  62. Happy Thanksgiving! Your Christmas tree looks fabulous!

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  63. This book looks so fun! Love the oven mitts, and your kiddos' pajamas!!!! Xoxo thanks for doing this giveaway 🤓🤘🏻

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  64. I teach third grade and would love this book as a gift for my class!

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  65. I'd definitely gift that book to my best friend who has a toddler, she'd love it!

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  66. Love this time of year and the memories made!

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  67. What a cute book! We decorated this weekend too since we were stuck inside because of a winter storm. Getting snow definitely puts you in the mood to decorate for Christmas!

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  68. So fun! must get that advent calender

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  69. So sweet....my little one loves eggs and would love this book too!

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  70. Your house looks great! It will be so nice to be off all week to get to enjoy it. And that book looks adorable. My daughter would love it!

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  71. My kiddies would love that book!!! And that magnetic advent calendar is now on my "to get" list!!

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  72. Your tree looks so beautiful! There is nothing better than the magic of Christmas through a child's eyes!!! And that candle from anthro is my favorite ! Enjoy your week off my friend !!!

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  73. This book would make a great gift for a couple kiddos on my list! How cute :)

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  74. Cute book! My kids would Love!

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  75. My baby boy LOVES books - definitely will need to get this one!

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  76. What a cute book! (And your decorating looks great!)

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  77. Oh my goodness, I think I know of a few tiny humans I adore who would LOVE that book!

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  78. That book looks incredibly cute!

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  79. love the bear book! I may have to buy it if I don't win since i've got so many bears in my nursery

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  80. Your tree looks great! And my little guy would love that book! :)

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  81. what a cute book i would love to get this for Ansleigh and my niece! hope you and your family have a wonderful thanksgiving!

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  82. I have 2 boys and a girl as well and I love seeing your kids' sweet pictures! Your Mason and my Brennan are 2 of a kind!

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  83. Those Christmas jammies are adorable!

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  84. I love following your adorable family! Your Christmas decorations are making me want to get mine out. Maybe this weekend! :) Thanks for the fun giveaway. That book looks so fun!

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  85. The Christmas decorations look wonderful! That book looks adorable :)

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  86. This book looks like it would be a hit in our house! Thank you and have a great Thanksgiving!

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  87. Everything looks beatific! I drug all my stuff out yesterday too!

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  88. I love your tree, I wish my could look as pretty as that. I just normally do the lights and ornaments, haven't attempted ribbon, yet...!

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  89. I love your decorations and that book seems like a cute addition to our family library :).

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  90. Your tree is so pretty & thank you for the giveaway!

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  91. I love that you've already decorated! We have too - the longer we can enjoy it the better! :)

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  92. Love your tree! The book looks super cute, thanks for sharing.

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  93. Your kiddos are too cute and what a fun book! Thanks for sharing and giving all of us a chance to win! xoxo

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  94. Beautiful tree! And that book looks so cute!

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  95. I love the decorations and the Christmas jammies!! Can't wait to see what your Elf on the Shelf does this year!

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  96. Your decorations look great! That book looks so good! Love reading here!

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  97. Can you do a tutorial on how you photograph your kids with the tree lights shining bright?!! I've tried to conquer this and have never been successful!

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  98. I love following you on Instagram! From one teacher/mom to another I love following your family!

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  99. I cant say enough about how much I love your blog. I always get inspired!

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  100. Decorations look great!! Wish I had that home interior touch!

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  101. I wonder if my husband would be willing to wear those mitts :)

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  102. I love your blog! OMG, your children are adorable!!!!

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  103. Your decorations look beautiful!
    Nicole O.

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  104. Those oven mitts are adorable, and I've already added Mother Bruce to the reading list for my kiddos!

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  105. You tree is beautiful! I love reading your blog. It's so uplifting. You have a special family!

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  106. Your tree looks beautiful and the memories you are creating with your children will stay with them forever!!
    What a fun time, cherish every second!!

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  107. You have the cutest kids, and I love that you let them help decorate the tree. One of my favorite Christmas memories as a child!

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  108. That book looks awesome! I'm always down for a new book that both my boys will enjoy :)

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  109. Your tree looks beautiful! I can't wait to put ours up this Friday! BEST TIME OF YEAR, EVARRRR!

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  110. That book looks so cute! I will have to get it for my boys even if I don't win:)

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  111. My boys would love the book and mittens.

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  112. That looks like a book my 3 kiddos would enjoy!!

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  113. Ahhh, I am loving Mason in the giant bag!!! He is too funny!!

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  114. That books is adorable! Will have to find it!

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  115. I will be ordering that book! I will think of Bruce Springsteen every time I read it. :)

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  116. Beautiful tree, adorable kiddos, and a very cute book! :)

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  117. Love the Christmas decorations! Your kiddos are so sweet.

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  118. Love your blog and your sweet family! My nephew will love this book!

    Michell Randall

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  119. That looks like the cutest book! Love your Christmas tree! It's beautiful!

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  120. Christmas decorations look great!!

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  121. Our school would love that book.

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  122. would love to give this book to my sweet little boy!

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  123. I have always wanted to visit the Gaylord! Can't wait to see the pictures. Love your blog!

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  124. That book looks adorable! My 1st-ies and my grandbabies would love it!

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  125. You have gotten me in the mood to decorate. Your tree is beautiful and your children look so sweet in their pjs. I would love to read this book to my preschoolers when we tackle hibernation in January. It sounds adorable.

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  126. Your tree is stunning! So beautiful!

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  127. Love your decorations! The book looks darling.

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  128. If I ever visit Texas, The Gaylord at Christmas time is on my must-see list!

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  129. My Kindergarteners would love this book!!

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  130. Love your decorations! I just came home from visiting family in Dallas I didn't realize the Gaylord was ready for Christmas (duh) I should have gone!

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  131. The book sounds cute . I started doing book clubs with my boys after all your cute posts this past summer .

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  132. Love your tree! It's so fun putting up decorations but I always dread taking then down. ..

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  133. That book looks so cute! And someday if I'm rich I want to dress my kids as cute as yours!:)

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  134. Cute decorations! I'd love to win that book. :)

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  135. My nephews would love that book!

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  136. Love your decorations. We were at the Gaylord today also! Such a fun tradition. Our family had a blast. :))

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  137. Cute book! My 2 youngest would love that.
    You're tree is so pretty!

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  138. Cute book! My 2 youngest would love that.
    You're tree is so pretty!

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  139. I have two sons that love being read to! Thank you for the opportunity!

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  140. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  141. That book looks so cute! Love your tree. :)

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  142. My kindergarten class will love that book! Thanks for sharing!

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  143. That book looks so cute! Having my first little one in March and starting the book collection early.

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  144. The book looks cute! Your house looks great!

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  145. Such a cute book! We read at least a dozen books a day to our 16 month old and would love a little variety to the ones we can recite by heart :)

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