Warming Up: It's the Little Things

I am so beyond excited to have the opportunity to work alongside Jess for her Little Things Link-Up! This has always been one of my favorite link-ups to join. I love this link-up because it really makes me see the best things in life; the little things that make me smile everyday. So, having the chance to co-host with Jess, I was jumping all over that!  And, if you haven't checked her out yet, you must! She has the cutest little daughter, Sadie, and Jess makes some killer headbands and hair accessories!!

This past week, we headed back home for Christmas holidays. My parents usually make the trip to our house as they are both retired and their schedules are wide open (for the most part.) But, this year, Mitch and I both had a stretch of time off so we loaded up the SUV and drove the 4 hours to Saskatchewan.

For a long time, Palmer was pretty cautious around my dad. I'm not sure if it was the moustache or just the fact that she didn't see him too often, but she seemed to be a little more careful around him.

This trip, she couldn't get enough Grandpa cuddles. They cuddled to watch TV or she showed him all about the iPad (because he really had no idea!) They played with her farm animals. He helped her with stickers. I know they both were loving it. It was great to see and I know he was so happy!

An InLinkz Link-up

Making Holiday Memories: Baking Cookies

I have never been one to be much of a baker. Or a cook for that matter. I don't LOVE cooking or baking, but I do love eating! 

Anyways, I can remember baking cookies with my mom when I was younger, helping to pour all the ingredients into the mixing bowl, watching it all blend together. I would help to put the dough onto the pan, and of course, sneak in a bite or two of the cookie dough (obviously the best part!)

I wanted to make these memories with Palmer. 

She was eager to see what we were up to. I had to take the eggs away from her a number of times. That's when Daddy stepped in. As I measured out all the ingredients, Palmer and Mitch added it to the mixer. 

I tried to snap a few photos while making the cookies, but it was one of those moments when you just step back and look at the two people in front of me and think "This is perfect." Something in that moment just made me smile and think about how much I really love them!

Linking up here

Believing in the Magic of Christmas

Christmas is a magical time and I believe that now more than ever. 

Growing up, there was always something so special about the holidays and believing in all the things Christmas brings. There was Santa watching over you all year round, taking note of if you've been naughty or nice. There were all his little elves working hard in the workshops to make toys for girls and boys all over the world. There were Rudolph and the team of reindeer that flew through the Christmas night sky, delivering gifts to all the children. Christmas was magic. 

This year, we introduced Palmer to Chippy, Santa's elf sent from the North Pole to watch over her. We watched the movie with her several times over and we explain to her about Santa and Chippy. This morning she woke up and noticed the Christmas tree where Chippy sat all day yesterday watching her was not where he was today. "Chippy. At you?? At You??" She called out. She hunted around for Chippy and where he was hiding today. There he sat in a stocking hung by the fireplace. "Awwww! Chippy!" she pointed, with a giant smile on her face. My heart filled with joy! Palmer is starting to understand the magic of Christmas. 

This is what I want Palmer to remember. I want her to remember the magic of Christmas. I want her to believe. As we grow, the believing changes and the magic means something different, but it is still there. 

This year, my magic is watching Palmer light up, seeing her eyes sparkle knowing Chippy has once again come to our house. It will be magic, having family around to watch Palmer believing in Santa on Christmas morning, as she glistens with delight at the amazing day ahead of her! I know, hands down, this will be the best Christmas yet. Seeing it through your child's eyes will be magic. 

Linking up here

The Little Things: The First Big Snow Fall

Lucky for us, Halloween evening was beautiful. Around these parts, we usually had to make our costume big enough to fit over a snow suit. This year, we were lucky enough to have almost 20 degree weather on Halloween. The next day though, there were snowfall warnings and Saturday evening the snow started and didn't stop until Sunday morning. This was the first big snowfall of the season. 

 
Sunday afternoon, we headed outside for a while to play in the snow with Leaf. I think Palmer may have forgot what snow was. The initial look on her face when she started walking in it was priceless. She didn't hesitate even once to start playing with it and licking it off her mittens.

The rest of the photos speak for themselves.

It's The Little Things: Daddy Hugs

Palmer has her daddy wrapped around her little finger.

I could watch these two together all day. They truly just melt my heart. There is nothing sweeter than watching the man you love do anything for this little person you two have.

Watching him love her.
Watching her love him.

There is one special moment they share nearly every night now. I tell Palmer it is time to go to bed. She throws her hands up in the air of course, and makes this horribly fake crying face and sound. Then, she cuddles up to Mitchell and hugs him tightly, as if to say, "I'm cuddling with Daddy. He's not going to make me go to bed." And, for a few minutes, that is true. I mean, how could you get in the way of a little girl hugging her daddy?


I just can't wait to watch their relationship grow into something amazing!

linking up here 

It's The Little Things: Shoes, Shoes, Shoes (+ a Giveaway)

Shoes. Boots. Sandals. Doesn't matter.
Girlfriend love herself a pair of anything.
Palmer has recently fallen in love with wearing boots (I think it's because she can get them on herself.)

It's the cutest thing; I tell her to go find herself a pair of shoes, and every time, she comes back with a different pair. Sometimes its her rubber boots; those tacky yellow galoshes that don't match with anything.

Other times it's her light up sneakers.
Then sometimes, her leopard print Fall boots.

Girlfriend loves picking out her shoes.



Yesterday, we headed out in 28 degree weather (us Canadians know that's HOT for September), and of course, Palmer picked out her faux-fur lined boots. What? (I brought along a pair of sneakers just in case.)

It's amazingly cute though, watching her pick out her shoes for the day. Deciding which ones she wants. Making her big-girl decisions. And girlfriend knows what she wants. She gets her mind set on a pair and there is no changing it. Like I've said before, not a battle I care to fight.

 I must admit though, she's got some great shoes to choose from!


Speaking of shoes....

There is nothing quite like giveaway day.

Free cash, up for grabs, is always a plus in my book.

Seeing as how it is officially fall now...
that could buy you a super cute pair of boots.
Or, a few darling scarves.
How about a couple new tops?

I'm sure you could find plenty of ways to use it up quick.

House of Hupfs | The Laurel Gazette

The Farmer's Wife | Crazily Normal

September Farm | Second Chances Girl | A Fresh Start on a Budget | Little Momma Love | Keeping Up with The Haney's

Check out all of these lovely gals and then get entered for this awesome giveaway!!! SO FUN!

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This Girl of Ours

Palmer is turning into just the sweetest little girl.

This sweet girl loves to give out hugs

Palmer will hug all the kids at the day home (often times more than once) before we can finally leave out the door, and even then, she will stand outside the door and wave bye-bye and smile.

She will hug Mitch every day when he comes home from work and gives him kisses. Her kisses are the cutest little thing. She will press her lips to yours and say mmmmmaah Or she will blow kisses by putting her hand to her mouth and making the mmmmmaah noise.

We get hugs every night before bed. And as I'm laying her down in her bed for the night, I say I love you, Palmer and she gives me a little extra squeeze, as though to say I love you, mama.

But, this morning was the sweetest hug yet. I was extra tired this morning and just wanted a few extra minutes or two, or thirty, of shut eye after being up until 2am trying to flip back off nights. So, when Palmer woke at 7:30 I brought her in the bed with me and turned Bubble Guppies on the iPad. I laid my head back down on the pillow and closed my eyes. To my surprise Palmer wasn't interested in the iPad. Instead, she wrapped her arm around my neck and laid there beside me with her head across from mine on the pillow, looking in my eyes. At that moment, we both smiled. We just laid there smiling. It was one of those little moments that makes your heart melt; when you realize just how lucky you really are. In that moment, I didn't care how tired I was and that my eyes were burning with sleepiness. In that moment, I thought of nothing but how amazing this little girl of mine really is and that she is ours. This amazingly wonderful little girl is ours.

PC to my good friend Cora

Linking up with Ashley // Words About Waverly and Jess // Sadie Sky Boutique for The Little Things

A Little Mid-Week Photo Dump

A friend of mine was heading down to the river bottom today for some photos and asked us to join. I obviously jumped at the chance to take some photos of my sweet Palmer. It gives me a chance to capture moments of Palmer to share with others as well as let me practice my photography skills and play around with my camera. It was hot and the mosquitos were out in full force, but I was able to capture a few great ones. (I swear Palmer wasn`t grumpy the entire time we were there...)

I think this one is my favorite!

Linking up with Ashley // Words About Waverly and Jess // Sadie Sky Boutique for The Little Things