Goodbye 2010

This year has been a very full year. Highlights include:

Spending the new year in California with the mister


Becoming a Zombie


Dressing up and seeing "Footloose"


Becoming a corn expert at the tractor show


Rooftop fireworks on the 4th of July


The state fair


Finding floating houses


Moving back to MN and starting a new school year


Birthday Shinanigans


Corn Diving




Watching my favorite boys grow up too fast


Celebrating Christmas in style

And so much more. It's amazing that another year is starting! But I think I am ready to say goodbye 2010 and






2011!

I have a MAJOR crush.

Jeffrey Campbell,
Will you marry me?

The Post-Christmas Blues

Does anyone else feel let down after Christmas? Not the kind of let down that comes from not having a good Christmas, but the kind that comes from it just being over?
I am feeling the post-Christmas blues. A month of excitement and magic and then it is over in a single day. My heart wasn't prepared!
My Christmas was wonderful anyway.
Santa was good to me



The family clam dip, Grandma's famous pies, and other delicious treats were abundant


And we spent most of the evening playing board games & spending time together


I love Christmas!
What are some of your family's traditions?
XOXO Ashley

All I Want For Christmas....

Is my family, friends, pets, and loved ones. I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life! Thank you to everyone who has made 2010 so spectacular, I love you all.
XOXO Ashley

Guess What I'm Doing Today?

eeek!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Here's a little holiday playlist for your liking. I even included some guilty pleasure bands like N Sinc ;)



I am loving being home! It just feels so much more like Christmas here. I've been doing my procrastinated holiday shopping and just enjoying my time here. This is my favorite week of the whole year :)
XOXO Ashley

Holidazzle

Hello friends, family, and stalkers,
It has been so crazy around these parts lately! (I know, I say this alllll the time. But it really is!)
I have barely had time to get into the Christmas spirit this year with all the nasty homework and stress pressed upon me, but I wanted to take a little time out to talk about....


PRESENTS! of course :)
But not just ANY presents. I want to talk about giving gifts that keep on giving. Yes, that extremely insightful and deep sentence is the thesis of this blog post.
I love giving/getting gifts that not only are fun to get, but also help other people. Here are some of my top picks for gifts that keep on giving:

Toms Shoes

Not only are these adorable and comfortable, for every pair you buy another pair is given to a child in need of shoes.
www.toms.com

Invisible Children Apparel



Invisible Children is a really amazing organization working to end the war in Uganda and child soldiers. The proceeds of these purchases go to help them do just that!
http://store.invisiblechildren.com/christmas

Earthlust Water Bottle

This extremely cute and functional water bottle gives 50% of its proceeds to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
http://www.shopkirdevries.com/earthlust-frog-20-oz-stainless-steel--water-bottle--hea20.html?gdftrk=gdfV22008_a_7c387_a_7c1028_a_7cearthlust_d_frog_d_20_d_oz_d_stainless_d_steel_d__d_water_d_bottle_d__d_hea20

Penguin Classics Book Collection

This redesigned collection of classic Penguin books gives 50% of its proceeds to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa.
http://www.joinred.com/red/#shopred

Beads for Life

These are handmade beads from Uganda that help support health care, job training, and affordable housing for local communities there. You can also buy premade necklaces, bracelets, and earrings!
http://beadforlifestore.org/disk_shaped_funky_paper_beads.asp

Aren't you in the mood for giving now? I definitely am. I would also like to give all of my homework away as well. I'll let you know how that pans out...
Happy Holidays!
Ashley