Trimming the Tree

So this is our first Christmas as Mr and Mrs and we were super excited to pick out our first Christmas tree. I was unaware of the intense investigation these trees were going to require before Sam would buy one. Nevertheless I let him look at every tree branch and was actually pretty entertained by the whole experience. Afterall I have never actually picked out my own Christmas tree so the whole experience was new and fun to me.

Apparently there are tree farms that just grow Christmas trees. Neat, huh?! Then they cut them all down and sale them around Christmas time. There are so many different types of Christmas trees too - Fraser Fir, Norway Spruce, White Spruce, Scotch Pine, and the list goes on. But no where will you find just a "Christmas tree". Perplexing isn't it.

So after Sam's thorough investigation...

We finally found our Christmas tree. It was a Fraser Fir...I know you were just dying to know.

Thank you tree-carrier-guy for taking our picture!

They even wrap the tree up for you! It was about this time that I remembered what happened in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

Luckily I was safe! Here is our tree right after we cut the plastic wrapping off. But remember you have to let the branches fall before doing the lights!

I love this step ladder...use it all the time!

Always start at the top!

I sent Sam to buy lights and he only bought 500. As if that was going to be enough...amateur.

Three trips to Wal-Mart and 900 lights later here is our very well-lit tree!

This year I actually get to use my own ornaments! I've been collecting Old World Traditional ornaments since I was 16 years old. I don't have many, but almost all of them were given to me as gifts and they each have a special meaning to me.

Now if only I had a tree topper!  To be continued...

Happy Everything...literally

A couple months ago I blogged about mine and Sam's new house. We absolutely love it and our neighborhood, but we have been wanting to do a few updates, especially in places everyone sees like the living room, entry way, and kitchen. We love having people over and entertaining, but the interior of the house was beige and white when we bought it. Those colors don't exactly scream our home is warm and inviting if ya know what I mean.

So as if paying for our wedding wasn't enough, we decided that for Christmas, my birthday, and pretty much every other gift-giving occasion we would ask our parents for money so we could paint (henee the name of this blog title). And thanks my husbands ability to save money and to our wonderful parents we were able to do that and much more!

I absolutely love and need color in my life, which of course includes my home, and the new paint has made a world of difference! See for yourself...

Here is the kitchen - Color: Drama Queen (love it)

I love these cabinets.

The name of this room remains a mystery because it is called many things. So just so we are all on the same page, it is the living room/den/great room/room you watch tv in. The color is Amber Yellow.

Here is the entry way. I love this color - Bungalow Gold

The entry way and upstairs hallway are painted this color. Unfortunately, the color is extremely difficult to capture on camera because of an annoyingly huge awful golden chandelier. That thing is the next to go!

And finally the bathroom! It is the same color as the living room/great room, etc. And it has been totally renovated by my handy hubby! He replaced all the bathroom and light fixtures, mirror, and also put in a glass shelf. I love it, but we are probably getting a new mirror because I think it's a little too "matchy-matchy".

We also got to add some new entertainment to our lives. Sam has wanted a new tv for quite a while and he finally bought one. He works so hard and definitely deserved a new tv. Every time he watches a football game his eyes light up like a kid on Christmas morning. We got a great deal because we shopped the day after Thanksgiving sales...Sony flat screen hdtv, surround sound, and two blueray disc players! Next thing on our "Home To Do List" is getting the Morgan media and storage collection from Crate and Barrell. We decided that the floor is not a good place to keep all the surround sound speakers! :)

And lastly on my list of new things, Sam celebrated his 10th year with DePuy Orthopaedics! This means two important things: more vacation days and a gift. Out of the many gifts he could choose from the Johnson and Johnson catalog, he got a small flat screen tv for me to have in the kitchen. How thoughtful is he?! I've told you before and I'll probably tell you a thousand more times, he is such a great husband!

I'm Back!

Well hasn't this past month been crazy!? I haven't blogged in a very long time and I have really been missing it. So I bet ya'll are wondering what I have been doing and I am gonna tell you!

THANKSGIVING IN ARKANSAS!

Brit got me this cute new purse for my birthday. I love it and carry it with me everywhere!

We went to Bonefish together, just us kids! It was great and I hope we do this at least once a year from now on!

And you cannot have Bonefish without a martini (and vice versa).

Ryan and me...and speaking of my adorable brother...

I met his girlfriend, Kathleen, and I absolutely LOVE her! Isn't she the cutest person you've ever seen?!

And Elli, you know the one who had surgery. She got into the powdered donuts and suckers. Caught her red-handed! She's feeling much better now!

I also got to spend lots of time with Hunter! We always have fun together!

Sam and I took Hunter shopping for his Christmas present and he picked out a skateboard and two swords. All three of us went on a walk on this warm beautiful day after Thanksgiving to try out the skateboard. It was great!

Yes, about that sword. Elli ate part of it. I have nothing else to say about that except for seriously, SHE ATE PART OF IT!

Here is my little trio! I just love them and cannot believe how fast they are growing up.

And of course, like every other Arkansan, we watched the LSU-Hog game. It was intense and a very sad loss for the Razorbacks.

And my family surprised me with a Razorback birthday cake! Yummy! Check out Sam's Arkansas Football shirt. I just love seeing him in Razorback gear!

We were back in Fort Wayne on my actual birthday and my wonderful hubby surprised me with balloons! Totally unexpected and such a great surprise! He's the best.

I was also super excited to see Kendall. We had breakfast at Panera the morning before I had to leave and it was as usual so much fun. I always have a great time with her! Speaking of, she and I are meeting in Chicago for Michael Buble!!! Counting down the days...

Oh yes, and here is my favorite picture...Dad riding the unicycle...hilarious!

I hope you liked the update and plan on seeing a lot more!

Prayers for Elli

My sweet little 2 year-old niece and my new person of the week, Elli Frensley, will be having a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy on Tuesday morning, November 24, at Springhill Baptist Hospital in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Please keep her, as well as the doctors and nurses, in your prayers.

Brandlyn and Chris really appreciate all your thoughts and prayers.

Leona Grace

Sam and I were so happy to see our new baby niece last night! Leona (Lee-O-Nah) Grace Sackett was born yesterday and weighs 7.3 lbs. I think Leona looks just like her big sister, Ella! Here is a fun fact for ya...Ella is the first "Sackett" in a few generations to be a big sister!

Here are a few pictures of me and Sam with Leona. Between the two of us we have 6 nephews and 5 nieces now. I love being an aunt!

Mommy and baby are both doing great! Please keep Matt and Keri's family in your prayers as they welcome the newest addition to their family.

The Harvard Club

I completely forgot to write about our recent trip to Boston. Sam was in his friend, Clay's, wedding. Clay and his new wife, Inna, live in New York City, but they met while in college at Harvard University. The wedding was beautiful and the view from the reception at the Harvard Club was breathtaking. I was in Boston less than 24 hours so I didn't get to see much of the city, but Sam and I plan to go back sometime! I loved the city from the moment I flew in over the harbour...lighthouses and sailboats everywhere. The view was like out of a book!

Here is Sam posing in our swanky little hotel room in downtown Boston.

Sam & The Groom

Me & The Beautiful Bride - Her dress was all lace...so beautiful and feminine!

Sam and two other groomsmen taking shots with the Groom. Before.....

...and After. Wow, nice faces!

Sam's parents at the wedding!

 A few pictures at sunset from the Harvard Club. Like I said, the view was amazing...

What a fun trip. I cannot wait to go back and actually see the city!

Congrats Clay and Inna!