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

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

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! 

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

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

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