Polka Dots and Photographs: 2016

Thursday, December 29, 2016

thankful thursday// vol.5

I am so incredibly thankful for our growing family.

The night before Christmas Eve, Austin brought home this sweet little puppy. It was the best Christmas gift (and I think Chloe thinks so too).

So here is our newest addition to our little family: Luna Padfoot (if you aren't a Harry Potter fan....well I just can't help you).

Sweetest right?

xoxox, kel

Saturday, December 24, 2016

christmas 2016// girvin lights

Another great Jacksonville tradition for Christmas is the lights on Girvin Street. A couple of blocks of homes completely go insane for Christmas and deck out the entire neighborhood. It's quite a sight!!

This was the first year I've ever gone. Austin and I went after our family Christmas dinner at his parents this past week. I took a lot of video on snapchat, but also managed to take a few photos too....

Merry Christmas Eve!!!!

xoxo, kel

Friday, December 23, 2016

thankful thursday// vol.4

Ek!!! With the holidays so close (Christmas is 2 days away!!!!!) time got away from me and I forgot to post my thankful thursday posts.....

However, speaking of the holidays.... I am extremely thankful for this holiday and all that it stands for. I am thankful for a God who loves, a Savior who was born in a manger and died on a cross so that I could one day join Him in heaven. I am thankful for His forgiveness, grace, and constant love that knows no bounds.

-k

christmas 2016// gingerbread extravaganza

One thing about my city that I love around this time of year is the Gingerbread Extravaganza downtown. My good friend and coworker's mom is in charge of it every year and so we always take our third graders every December.

It's honestly a great event. They give us a tour of one of the old houses of Jacksonville, owned by the Merrills (and is one of the few surviving houses from the 1901 fire), have a history talk, and then a tour (and scavenger hunt) of all the gingerbread creations. The kids (and we adults) always enjoy it!!

Here are a few of the gingerbread creations that were my favorite (or made me gasp) from this year!!!!!

There are always businesses that contribute and make their own gingerbread awesomeness... The one above is by (and of) the Jacksonville American Red Cross building at the beach,

The one below is by (and for) Chamblin Bookmine (one of my all time favorite places in Jacksonville)!!!

Then of course, there's a bit of Harry Potter (the above is of Diagon Alley!!)!!

Ok, I don't know if Diagon Alley or this above gingerbread house of the Griswald House is my favorite. They're both pretty amazing though.

More Jacksonville (and St. Augustin city) favorites!! The above is our old library and the below is the Lighthouse!!!

There's also the Peterbrooke chocolate amazingness (above) and the Sweet by Holly confectionery deliciousness (below). Both are some great places in Jax for sweets!

Okay..... so the next picture is a little....graphic (especially for a gingerbread creation) but I had to share it..... it's pretty insane. It's also by the Homebirth organization in town.

I believe today was the last day to explore the Gingerbread Extravaganza, but next year if you live around Jacksonville, you HAVE to visit!

Sunday, December 11, 2016

recently// simply having a wonderful christmas time

I can't believe Christmas is only 2 weeks away!! I'm still sooooo far from being ready, BUT I'm still enjoying ever minute. I'm also really excited to celebrate this year as a wife!!!

I love this photo of Austin. He and I debated on real versus fake tree, but he won out (because I told him I wouldn't do the lights). I did check them....although as you can see from above, I may have missed a few (I promise they all worked when I first checked). Luckily we had enough to fix it.

And Austin was right....the tree looks (and of course smells) amazing!!!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!!!!!

xoxoxo, kel

Thursday, December 8, 2016

thankful thursday// vol.3

How could I not post about the hubby? (Ew- did I just say hubby?? Oh well).

This guy is the absolute best.

I'm so incredibly lucky to have found this funny, talented, hard working, christian man- that for some reason loves me.

I am thankful for his support, his constant love, his advice, all the times he cheers me up when no one else can, for teaching me about new things, for pushing me, for challenging me, for making me laugh, and for being my best friend no matter what.

I'm so lucky to have you as my husband! Love you!!

xoxoxoxoxoxox, kel

Thursday, December 1, 2016

thankful thursday// vol.2

I'm pretty sure that I have more photos of my pup than of anyone else (myself included). I can't help her amazing cuteness...but oh man, can you imagine what I'm going to be like with kids one day??!!?!

Anyway, back to my dog..... she's the cutest fluff ball and I am so extremely thankful for her. Even on days like today when I have to take her to the vet and pay for meds and annual checkups. It's such a privilege to have her and be able to take care of her. In a way, she's taken care of me too. In some of the darkest and loneliest times I've had her companionship-- which may sound silly to some, but if you own a dog, you get it!

xoxoxo,

kel, chloe's human

Friday, November 25, 2016

links, links, links (v.22)

Can I please go to Chicago- just so I can eat at this place in hopes that I see Zack Morris and or Kelly Kapowski??

I love this coloring page- great Gandhi quote and it's free!!!!

This how-to for hand drawn flowers is so awesome. Can't wait to try it!!

Hahahaha- this picture is hysterical!

19 reasons we should all start writing letters again..... and if that gets you wanting to have a pen pal, don't forget you can sign up for my pen pal group!!!

Gilmore Girls box gift....YES!!!! I literally have found the best Christmas gift.....for myself.

Have y'all been watching the Netflix show: Stranger Things? Austin and I are totally hooked.

The tiny house/camper fanatic in me is going crazy over this site!!!

I don't know how I am just now finding out about this site- but the home inspiration on it is amazing!

Thursday, November 24, 2016

thankful thursday// vol.1

I know- sharing something I'm thankful for on Thanksgiving....how original. But seriously, my heart could not be more full.

I am incredibly thankful for my family.

This past year has been a crazy one for my family. We've gotten smaller after several devastating loses, but then we grew immensely after two weddings (mine and my cousins').

I think about how much my family has gone through, how we've lost touch, but through the grace of God have become an even stronger unit. I thank God for the amazing women and men that I get to call family and I cannot help but smile. While not all of our families members are still with us, and some are spending this holiday hundreds of miles away, they have each had an amazing impact on my life. I am grateful for every single one of them.

They are my heart.

Thank you God for blessing me with all these amazing people!

xoxom kel

Saturday, November 19, 2016

copper boom wishlist

In case you didn't already know it.... I'm a huge Gilmore Girl lover. It's easily one of my all time favorite shows. It probably also has to do with the fact that it was a show my mom and I watched together and helped us bond even closer during high school and college.

So since the new season comes out on Netflix in less than a week (!!!!!!!!!!!) and my mom and a couple friends and I are watching it together, I decided to share a round up of awesome Gilmore Girl things that I've found.... and just in time for you to order for whatever type of viewing party you may be having.

Enjoy!!

Party Ideas: