Fun in the Sun

Old Man Winter really takes a toll on us here in Indiana.  That is exactly why we thought we would escape for a week of sunshine just before the holidays.  Emersyn isn't 2 yet so she was still free for flying, and we used Southwest, who has open seating, so she ended up with her own seat anyway!  She slept pretty much the whole way there!  We planned that with a 6:30am flight!

Once we landed in Ft. Lauderdale, we drove to Sunny Isles- and small section of Florida just north of Miami.  We stayed at the Trump Towers and absolutely LOVED everything about the hotel, service, location, and weather!!

The hotel room did come with a crib- it is up in the left hand corner.  However, Emersyn preferred the comfy bed with me!  First time she has ever slept in a bed with me, her face in the morning when she realized I was still with her was priceless!

The room had a nice little kitchenette so we could keep milk, snacks, and supplies to make lunch everyday.

Our view from the room!  We literally spent every day jumping back and forth between the pool and beach.  Everything was so close and the staff organized your umbrellas and chairs for you!! 

Emersyn insisted that everyone got their own castle!

Yes even she needed a castle!

hated the ocean

Napped on me everyday in the shade for 3 hours!

Loved the park across the street.  Everything was a perfect size for her- we visited just about daily!

Most nights ended with a snuggle and Mickey.

This was the BEST little vacation EVER!  Emersyn was amazing and had so much fun!  This was  the first vacation that I was nervous about but even with a tiny toddler it was so relaxing.  We are beyond blessed to have this little lady keep us smiling everyday.  These were truly moments I will never forget!

Craft Day Mania

YAY... Craft Day is here!  Listen, my family LOVES to craft, it is something we have always done since we were little kids.  So it is only natural that we would continue this tradition with a family and friends craft day.  We pick a date, everyone brings a fun dessert or appetizer, I make chili, and we drink a little girly drink while crafting the day away!

I love using large butcher paper to cover my counter tops when hosting for two reasons.  1. It is such easy clean up- roll it up and toss!  2.  It allows me an easy, cute way to write what each food item is.

Now on to the real reason we are here... the crafting!!  We have learned over time that it is best to select one craft that everyone can customize.  This makes it easy for everyone to sit together, use the same supplies, and get a little inspiration.  This year we called on a little help from my step dad with supplies.  No big deal... could you cut down a tree and slice around 100 small circles!!??  HaHa- and the best news... he did!!!  A huge THANKS because craft day may not have happened without him, oh and he supplied the very yummy homemade wine!

We set the table up with all the wood circles, paint, markers, glitter, modge podge, stamps, twine, scrapbook paper, and a few printed Pinterest inspiration pictures.

Let's grab a drink and get crafting!!

We used the supplies to create all sorts of fun things from the wood circles- Christmas gift tags, ornaments, banners, coasters, and more.

We painted some of the wood circles with black paint to look like chalk, and we used white craft markers to write on them.  This really created a whole new look!

On some we used Modge Podge to add a festive family picture!  Great for tree ornaments and gifts for grandparents!

Once we finished creating, we used a drill to add a small hole to string yarn through.

I made one ornament for each of Emersyn's little classmates, thinking about trying to Modge Podge a picture on the back.

Side Note: Emersyn LOVED craft day!!  There were lots of people at the house and a few of my cousins brought their little ones too.  She loved all the company!

Thanks to all of the ladies for coming to craft day!!! SUCH FUN!! Can't wait for next year!!