finding beauty: tree farm heart captures

I shared about our trip to the a nearby tree farm yesterday and wanted to share some captures (7 + 2 to be exact) that stole my heart as well as why they melted me a little. 

This one below is of GeekMan and Bigfoot. This little boy loves his daddy so much and loves being with him. He wants to be like him. I wants to imitate him. He's been carrying around a little broken toy computer these past few days saying he's working on stuff, like daddy. He wants to follow in his footsteps, and I see that beauty in this photo.

My little bit of sweet trouble doesn't always hold my hand. He's so much more independent that his big brother, but he also likes to come back to home base. It makes me happy that I'm home base.

Speaking of his independence. I see so much of that in this photo. Not only is independent but he loves his big brother and tries to imitate everything he does. This photo is just that. Big brother was on the car first. Then Linus climbed up, to imitate him, watch him off, and seconds after this photo, follow his big brother's climbing path down the car.

I love hearing Bigfoot's laugh. The one that's raw and real and full of kid joy and wonder. That's what I hear when I see this photo.

The tree farm was an awesome time, but I know I mentioned the wind. That wind was insane and made visible with my oldest rockstar hair.

I love that Bigfoot climbed all the way to the top of this. On his own. This slide was huge! And, off he went, brave, bold, and all boy.

These little feet walk a lot of ground every day. I love the places he goes.

Brother see, brother do.

Linus has an awesome sense of humor. He was playing Hide n' Seek here. It was so fun, cute, and funny.

We had a really great time at the tree farm and I cannot wait till we go again next year! God is good, and we are so blessed to be able to do these things. And not only good because He has allowed us the time and finances to do them this year, but also because He has given us the gift of each other. My heart is full and I'm glad I can share a little bit of what fills it.

What moments in life have filled your heart lately? Would love to know!

Linking up with Aimee for Finding Beauty. Also, linking-up with Kelly for 7 Quick Takes (7+2 for me today). Be sure to head over to her place! She's the new host for 7QT and just wrote a book! CONGRATS! And last but not least, linking up with Gina for Embrace the Ordinary, because it truly is in these ordinary moments that we experience the extraordinary.

How Lovely are your Branches!

Growing up, I don't remember ever going to a Christmas Tree farm. Correct me if my memory fails me, mom, but I'm pretty sure we didn't go just because there weren't any where we lived.

Now that we are in North Texas there at least 10 different Christmas Tree farms in the area (when I say in the area, I mean about 45 minutes - 1 hour away). This is so exciting! I've really only seen Christmas Tree farms in movies. The whole chopping down your own tree. Finding the one. Searching and seeking your solid symbol of Hope that will be in your home lit against the darkness that a season of waiting entertains. I'm not romantic about it at all.

Not at all!

Ha, anyways. Like I said in our previous post, we were home for Thanksgiving so we were able to find a farm nearby to go have a little tree adventure. It was a beautiful day and we were so excited. The first Christmas songs of our season were being played in the car the whole way there for us to enjoy! Well, not all of us, since the boys ended up falling asleep about 15 minutes in to the drive, which was a great thing since we were going to be there during nap time!

When we arrived at Yesterland Tree Farm we were overwhelmed in a mostly good way. This place was huge, beautiful, and ultimately looked like a mini carnival for little kids a midst all. the. Christmas. Trees! The boys were thrilled!

Only, when we got down, for whatever reason, the weather decided to be uber windy! So windy that we drove home with dirt marks all over our cheeks. We really looked like we rolled around in dirt from all the dust-carrying wind. But, the boys could care less.

Off they went. They loved exploring through the beautiful tree selection, but not as much as they love Love LOVED the horse rides!

They were in Heaven. These two boys have been waiting to ride a horse since I can't remember when. I know they are only 3 and 1, but when a little one wants something, he wants something. And, these two have really wanted to ride horses.

I was so happy to see them riding. It made my heart smile and pause to think that these are the moments.

And, I promise Linus was so happy to ride too. This is just his go-to face for all things in his life that need a face that don't immediately spark a crazy happy smile or cry.

The horse ride could not have lasted long enough.

I made sure to capture as much of this bit of joy and fun.

The farm also had a little Western Village for kids to wander in.

Peek-a-boo in the house was a fun game for Linus and Daddy. It was pretty funny to watch and Linus thought he was being hilarious.

They had merry-go-rounds, huge slides of all kinds, roller coaster rides, and even a little Ferris Wheel the boys could get on.

I shared a little about these two and their Ferris Wheel experience in this post. I'm so glad they were both able to enjoy this fun ride that took them both high up into the sky to oversee the whole farm. I love Ferris Wheels for the amazing views they share.

Hope this experience planted a seed for them to love Ferris Wheels too.

They had a kiddie playground and petting zoo.

Finally, at the end of our fun stay at this amazing little farm, we ventured to find our Christmas tree. Because of all the crazy in the form of toddlers who have not napped and all. the. stuff. going on, I felt a little frantic while helping the boys find a tree.

I'm happy to report, despite my frantic self, we found a tree, but not the one below. See, originally we had chose this tree, but after coming back around saw that someone had damaged the bottom (not. cool.). We ended up passing on it, and quickly found a new tree we could call our own.

Y'all. I heart this tree. It's so beautiful! It's definitely the most beautiful tree we've ever had before. Smells amazing. And brings a beautiful light and warmth to our home.

Traditions have been on our minds lately. Geekman and I want to start having these moments that the boys can anticipate every year as to more fully experience the beautiful rhythm of the liturgical year. After this experience, I think it's safe to say, we are adding a visit to a tree farm to our family traditions.

Have you ever been to a Christmas Tree farm? Is that part of your family traditions upon entering the season of Advent? Or do you wait to put up your tree till Christmas Day?

Linking-up with the beautiful women of Like Mother, Like Daugher for Pretty, Happy Funny, Real: Seeking contentment in everyday life.

1st Day of Advent: Traditions

Because I want to remember out little family traditions I'll be sharing our little to-do's on the blog this Advent. 

I've been looking forward to Advent for many reasons this year, but mostly just looking forward to another season in the liturgical year that calls us to prepare, to wait on the Lord with joyful anticipation, and to prayer. These seasons are so good for my soul. The Church knows us and meets us where we need her most. She knows we all have seasons that we need to be called out of, seasons that make it hard to be present to the reality that Christ our Savior was born many a moon ago to Our beautiful Lady. That she journeyed on a donkey to birth her son and lay him in a humble manger.

There's just so much Truth and Goodness to soak up this season and I pray, with His Grace, that I am able to fully embrace all the joys of waiting and all the joys of the ultimate Gift so that I can share these fruits with my family.

On that note, I wanted to share five ways we celebrated the 1st day of Advent.

1. Celebrate Mass. I know this one is a no-brainer but there is something so very special when the Liturgy comes to life while praying the Mass. The vestments, the colors, the scripture readings all so amazing. Every single time. 

2. Light the candle of Hope and say the first Advent  prayer during dinner. The boys are at an age where they are pretty in awe of candles and they join us in  prayers. It's the sweetest and I love that we are able to start and share this with them now. 

3. Decorate our Christmas tree - Round 1. A year or so ago, my husband and I decided we wanted our tree to reflect our journey through Advent so we went on a hunt for purple and pink ornaments. Gee-whiz, was that tough! Apparently, purple is not all that common. Either way, we searched, purchased, and have our little collection that spreads through the weeks leading up to Christ's Birthday.

This is the first year these two "help" decorate the tree. To say tears were not involved would be false.

These boys were so overcome by joy and excitement, wonder and pride at being able to help decorate our beautiful big tree. So overcome there was no where else to go but a melt down or two..or three.

Meltdowns aside look at these faces. I'm glad I caught these shots at the start of our little decorating journey. There really is a light in their eyes. A light only He can share.

These little stinkers helped bring beauty to our home and, in turn, helped prepare our little home for the beautiful celebration that awaits us on Christmas Day.

Gosh, I kind of love our big tree a whole bunch! I have a ton of photos I took from our time at a fairly nearby Christmas Tree Farm that we went to this year on Saturday. I can't tell you how much I loved transitioning from Thanksgiving to Advent this year.

We were home so we were able to celebrate Thanksgiving with family, then go to a tree farm for an adventure to pick out our tree on Saturday and have our home ready to celebrate the beginning of Advent. It was kind of magical.

4. Advent Prayer Chain. I got this idea from Debbie over at Saints 365. The boys and I made this prayer chain the week before Thanksgiving. Bigfoot helped me assign different prayer intentions for each day of Advent leading up to Christ's birth. I wrote them out with a date and since the first day of Advent we have been pulling off one chain a night and specifically praying for whatever listed intention is on that link. It's been fun, great, and I love the way we can pray for others as a family.

5. St. Anthony Christmas Novena. My husband and I have been praying this novena at night after the kids are in bed. We did it separately last night, but after just a couple days of praying this novena I can already see fruits from it. I'm so glad we are praying this together.

If you aren't familiar with this novena, it is a prayer that you pray daily (at one time or throughout the day) everyday up to Christmas. It's a prayer of petition and preparation. A prayer of Truth and adoration. If you haven't started, I encourage you to join in. I'm sure Our Lord and St. Anthony would meet you whereever you start! :)

Sarah over at Amongst Lovely Things describes it perfectly:

For those unfamiliar with the tradition: the St. Andrew Christmas prayer is said fifteen times per day from November 30th, the Feast of St. Andrew, until Christmas Day. It isn’t really a novena in the traditional sense, and it’s not even aimed toward St. Andrew. It’s a meditation on the incarnation, and it is a powerful way to prepare one’s heart for the birth of Christ. It has also been called the Christmas Anticipation Prayer.

She's written a lot on this beautiful prayer, so do head over to her site to read more. She's shared so beautifully on this prayer over the years and because of her, my husband and I are now praying it together.

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What Advent traditions do you have in your home? Leave a comment! Would love to learn more about how to embrace this season as a little family!

Also, I'll be sharing more as time carries on. I'm so excited to share about what we'll be doing for the Feast of St. Nicholas this year!

Photo Party: Thanksgiving Day Love

Sharing a few of my favorite moments and captures from Thanksgiving day.

It really was so special to be able to host Thanksgiving in our new home sweet home. I loved filling this house with all the memories, smells, foods, laughter, hugs, and smiles. It was awesome. 

My parents stayed with us with their new little pup, Dakota, and the boys were in Heaven.

Naptimes were a little off, per usual over the holidays, but my dad definitely took advantage. The boys loved napping on and with their grandpa.

The cranberries, y'all! I snatched up a bag of fresh cranberries while grocery shopping. Something I've never done before. I have never purchsed fresh cranberries ever. ever. ever. And, I can't tell you how happy I am that I did!

Thanks to Pinterest, I pulled off the most delicious Spiked Cranberry Sauce with Apple Cider and Spiced Rum. Y'all. uhhh-mazing! I used Apple Cider instead of Hard Cider since it's what I had and it still turned out fantastic!

My brother and Erin came over. We love every chance we get to spend with them. The boys just eat it up and are just so happy when they get to play with their Uncle Geye-co (as Linus has been calling him, lately.)

This turkey. Oh. My. Goodness. This turkey was perfect. Thanks to my mama! She makes the most amazing stuffing and turkey. This made everything else taste perfect.

Our spread. Oh the how glorious the spread was. Full bellies. Happy taste buds. Vino. Cerveza. All. the. goods. Last year was awesome, but oh how we rocked this year too!

This year the Spiked Cranberry Sauce and the Sweet Potato Casserole made my taste buds so very happy! I've made the same Sweet Potato Casserole recipe every year since the sweetest friend shared her recipe with me a number of years ago. I could eat both of these plates every. day.

These guys. I love them. My daddy and my brother. They're both kind of amazing men. True story.

My beautiful mom and me. She made being in the kitchen much more organized and since she made the turkey, made my life worlds easier (I'm not good with big raw birds. I do it when I have to. But, not a fan.).

The weather was AWESOME! Thank you, Texas!

Linus decided to race Dakota. I don't remember who won.

The pup was scrambling the entire time she was here. Because of puppy tendencies to trail closely behind people and their shoes, she was nearly stepped on way more than I'd like to share. But, I'm happy to report, she made it and is perfectly wonderful.

I know the picture is blurry but I love the photo below. I love seeing my brother happy. It makes me happy.

See the fun that ensues when Uncle Geye-co is here.

We gave family photos a go. Some turned out really well so I went ahead and emailed them to the family rather than share them on here. I snapped quite a few so I'll spare you mostly. Mostly, because I'm going to share just a couple.

Lots of play happened.

Hugs, snuggles, and smiles.

And my mom snapped a couple of the boys and us. I'm a fan of this one. 

Thanksgiving was filled with tons of goodness this year. And, like I mentioned before, I'm so very thankful this year for my husband. With getting a herniated disc in my lower back a few months ago, he has been so very amazing. Always there. Always wonderful. Always loving and supporting. So very thankful, not only for this time that he has endured with me, but also for everything we have had together since the day we met. 

So, that's a wrap for our Thanksgiving day photo party. How was your Thanksgiving? Any new favorite dishes this year? Mine was definitely the Spiked Cranberry Sauce and the Sweet Potato Casserole - hands down!