Moments Captured in December

Wow, it's the last day of 2013 can you believe it?

This year for me has been one of the best years in my 21 years of life.  I've had to do the most growing up and have learned lessons I have never thought I would need to learn.  From these lessons, I learned just how strong I am and what all I am capable of.  God is SO good, y'all!

I'm so excited to see what this new year brings, I know great things for sure! But first, a look back at the moments I captured in December.  You can read about these moments here. 

Freshly fallen snow: It was such a pretty snow and all we in Nebraska saw this December, unfortunately.

Driving around to look at lights: Okay so my brother and I weren't driving around, but downtown Omaha always has millions of lights on all the trees.  It's so beautiful!!

A favorite Christmas tradition: Each year my mom gives my brother and I an ornament of something we're interested in that year.  While this one wasn't this year's ornament, its always been my favorite. 

A favorite Christmas decoration in the home: I bought this picture this year and fell in love with it instantly. It sums up what I think winter perfection looks like!

Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate: I enjoyed many cups of hot chocolate this December! 

Christmas season treats: I made these white chocolate snicker-doodle pudding cookies and they were SO good.  Recipe soon!

Iceskating: So no picture for this, but I actually did go, they just wouldn't let us take a picture on the ice. Boo. 

Making homemade Christmas cards: I think I'm going to do this every year now! I sent these to all my friends this year along with a homemade ornament.

Watch Christmas movies: I did this a lot this season, probably a little too much.  The Grinch was on a lot this year, this is one of my favorite scenes from the movie!!!

Christmas morning/ A fire crackling in the fireplace: Sometimes I think my dog should be a dog model. She's the cutest. This is right after we opened presents :)

So I didn't capture all the moments I was wanting to but I got a good amount of memories! I'm so excited for 2014, and I hope y'all have the best time ringing in the new year! Be safe and don't forget to wear something sparkly tonight :) 

{Katie}

Better Late Than Never {Christmas Recap}

I hope everyone's Christmases were wonderful and lots of time was spent with precious family and friends! 

Ours here in Nebraska was great.  We didn't have a white Christmas, but with 50 degree weather in December, you really can't complain much.  On Christmas Eve my family went to our candlelight church service and then we saw Frozen (my second time seeing it...and probably not the last).  If y'all haven't seen it yet you need to go! I even heard my brother chuckle a few times, so you know it has to be good.  

Christmas day was a relaxing day for my family, as much of the out-of-state ones couldn't visit this year so it was not a big family gathering but still special.  My new baby this year is a telephoto lens for my DSLR- it's so beautiful! We then finished the day with a 1,000 piece puzzle and ate like Kings.  (Steak and crab legs, people. YUM.) 

The baby brother and I

Now that the Christmas season is over, life has slowed down a bit.  But I'm sad that there's no more Christmas music on the radio or Christmas movies on TV.  Sad day. Only 362(ish) days (give or take) until they're on TV or the radio again!!

What are y'all's plans for New Years???

{Katie}

      

DIY Glitter Ornament

I've got another DIY ornament for y'all that's perfect for all the glitter lovers, which let's be honest, that's just about everyone!

I made this ornament for my friends this year adding their initials to the ornament.

You will need:
Clear glass ornament bulbs, any color glitter, letter stickers, ribbon

Fill each ornament with the glitter (about 1/4 full), add the stickers, and tie a ribbon to the top. Done!

Very simple and looks super sparkly on the tree!

Merry Christmas, friends! Give extra hugs to your family this Christmas and treasure this time with them!

{Katie}

DIY Christmas Ornament

Oh my goodness gracious it has been awhile! It seems I have abandoned this little blog of mine.  With the busyness of school and getting ready for Christmas, I've had very little time.  But, if you're a last minute shopper like me this year (oops!), and still need a gift for someone, I have the perfect DIY ornament!

When Morgan from New Found Love emailed me and asked to do a homemade ornament exchange I immediately said yes! Thank you so much for thinking of me, Morgan! Hop on over to her blog and check out her sweet ornament she made for me.  It has a bow and sparkles, so of course it's perfect!

I found the tutorial for the ornament I made for her on Jessica Jane: Handmade and it was so easy to follow along.  Here's my tutorial of the ornament:

You will need: Fimo or Polymer Clay, wire, wire cutters, small beads, paint, glitter, stamps, paintbrush.

Step 1: Knead clay into a ball.  (You REAAALLLLY have to work with it here.  Getting the clay into a ball is probably the hardest part of the whole ornament.) The ball should be around 1 1/2" in diameter.

Step 2: Form the ball into an egg shape.  I did this by making my fingers into a ring and slightly pinch from the middle of the ball on up to make the egg shape.

Step 3: With the "fat" part of the egg, form the end into a tail.

Step 4: Start to make the top part of the egg into the birds head.  I did this by pressing down slightly on the top so there was a clear distinction between the head and the body.

Step 5: Pinch part of the head of the bird into a beak.

Step 6: Try to make sure there aren't any unnecessary bumps or finger prints.
Now, the good thing about clay is if you don't like what you've molded you can just re-do it.  I really had to work with the clay for awhile molding it to get it exactly how I wanted it!

Step 7: Choose a word and stamp it on the bird.  I also stamped some snowflakes.

Step 8: Cut a wire (not one that's too thin) about 4 inches long.  Take a toothpick and stick it through the bird from top to bottom.  This is so the wire is easily able to go through the bird.

Step 9: Make a loop with the wire at the bottom (I added beads to mine) and use your fingers to wrap the remaining wire around the loop (you can also use wire tools here).

Step 10: Bake your ornament as directed on the clay packaging.  (Mine baked for about 20 minutes).

Step 11: Paint and decorate your bird! Add ribbon in order to hang your bird!

AND YOU'RE DONE! 

I hope you all have the merriest of Christmases! Can you believe that it's Christmas on Wednesday?? Time flies. 

Hugs!

{Katie}

Cheers To A New Year! {A Link-Up}

Hello love bugs!

Today I'm linking up again with Lauren from Peach State of Mind to recap my favorite moments from April, May, and June!

April

 I went to Kappa Delta's spring formal with some of my best friends and we also had our spring philanthropy event.  Kappa Delta donates money to Prevent Child Abuse America and part of that money we donate goes to a local organization where mothers and children who have been can receive care and the things they need. 

May

Sorry for the massive upload of pictures, but this trip to Belize just had too many to choose from! This trip was AMAZING, so say the least.  My dad, brother, and I went to the rainforest in Belize for the first half of our trip and then headed over to San Pedro Island and stayed along the ocean at a resort (my personal fav spot!) The people in Belize are some of the nicest people and welcomed us with open arms! We ate a lot of great food, went zip-lining in the middle of the rainforest, went hiking in caves, saw mayan ruins, and relaxed with drinks by the pool! Gahh take me back!!

June

 In May my mom retired from 33 years of teaching high school family consumer science (go, Mom!) I threw her a retirement party with all of her closest friends.  It was my first time hosting a big party like that and let me tell you what..that is some hard work, people!! But it was well worth it :) Also in June I had the opportunity to take engagement pictures for my friend! Sweet, sweet couple.  

Can't wait to hop on over to other blogs to see your highlights for these months! 

{Katie}