2 Years!

It's our anniversary!!! And it's hard to believe that 2 years have gone by since our wedding. I feel so blessed to have married such a wonderful guy. I could go on and on about the man I married, but I've already told him all those sweet mushy things. I thank God for putting him in my life. Here's what we were doing two years ago...








I love you Brandon!!!

Craddock Christmas

We had a wonderful white Christmas. I was sad not to be with my family this year, but we had a great time with Brandon's family. His parents, sister, and brother-in-law all came to Dallas to spend a few days at our house this year. So it turned into a really fun time with them, enjoying all the fun traditions and yummy food at our home. We were even sad to see them go! I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves...


You can tell we had a very cozy Christmas in Dallas with Brandon's family


Dennis and Judy (along with Jared, Kristi, Colt and Jake) came over for dinner on Christmas Eve-Eve


Kristi and Colt playing with some new toys


The boy den


He's my favorite.


Lookin out at the puppies


Jakey playing Brandon in Darts


Beginning preparations for Christmas Eve dinner


Yes- It started SNOWING on Christmas Eve!!!!


With Kim and Philip. Can you tell Bailey loves her cousin?


After cooking all day, my very first turkey was ready.
Thanks for all the help, Mom! It was yuuummy.


Carving the turkey


Setting the table


Philip taunting the doggies


It kept on snowing. And Bailey LOVED playing in the snow.


Baxter the Elf?


We drove around and looked at Christmas lights after dinner


Merry Christmas Eve!


Brandon's sweet parents- thanks for coming all the way to Dallas!


Kim and Bax in their matching onesies- so presh.


Santa baby


The first time Dallas has had a White Christmas since the 1930s. So pretty!!!


Christmas morning


Brandon's dad (our wonderful photographer)


Kim and Philip opening their goodies


Playing with their new Christmas toys

We have had a great few days with family and now get to go spend some time with my family in Nashville. I can't WAIT to see them!!! Merry Christmas to all, hope Santa was good to you!

Christmas Lights and Cowboys

I really just love this time of year. I love the cheesy Christmas songs. I love seeing family and buying presents for them. I love the yummy sweets. And I LOVE all the Christmas lights. Last weekend we drove through some neighborhoods to see all the lights. And our neighborhood actually did pretty well this holiday (unlike Halloween)- lots of the houses have lights and characters and all that good stuff. For the first time since we've lived here, it just feels like a shared experience in our neighborhood that everyone has their yards all decorated. I finally took a picture of our house all decked out. Brandon did a good job I think.



We've had a pretty good weekend. All I want to do every day is drink my hot cocoa snuggled up by the fire. It's the only thing that makes this cold weather all ok. I just wish the Christmas season could last into January adn February, maybe my two least favorite months.

Last night we had our church Christmas Party. It was a murder mystery- such a great idea. And guess what...I ended up being the murderer. Typical. But we had a great night with all our friends. And the best part of it was the Cowboys game. I never knew I would be such a fan, but after all the screaming and yelling last night, I think I proved my loyalty. We won the game that some thought was impossible, and Brandon has been downright giddy. We just knew we had to be loyal and not lose faith. And they did it- came through and proved that they still want to be in the running. Go Cowboys!!!

Happy Birthday Jessi!

Today is Jessi's birthday- another day when I wish so bad I could be home to be with my family. My sisters are my best friends in the world, and I feel so blessed that God gave me sisters who I know will always be a big part in my life. I don't know what I'd do without them to go through life with. Jessi and I get closer every year, despite the fact that we've been living in different states for five years now. She's got such a great heart for people. She's finishing school to be a nurse practitioner, and I'm so proud of her passion and determination. She has such a fun-loving spirit, and she always makes me laugh. Sorry I couldn't be there for your birthday, Jess. Luckily Christmas is only a week away, so you'll only have to wait a few days to see me:)


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOVE YOU JESS!!!

Weekend Brunch

This past weekend we had a Christmas brunch at our house for the girls in our church class to come over and write cards to soldiers. Thanks to Melissa, I have some pictures of the day...


Yummy food

My favorite part, the yogurt parfaits




Lacey is QUITE the event planner:)


Writing cards





It's amazing to think of all the men overseas who are fighting who are serving our country even through Christmas, but hopefully our cards and goodies let them know that some Texas gals are thinking about them during the holidays. And we had a good time getting in the holiday spirit. Thanks girls for coming!

No place like home for the holidays

I've been counting down the days till we could put up the Christmas tree and play Christmas music constantly. This past weekend we finally got to do that...


Our first actual Christmas tree!!!


So glad we finally have the perfect spot for our tree!


Another view of our dining room


Bailey's favorite place to snuggle up


View of the front bay window, thanks to Brandon and Chad for creating a way to get the huge shrub/tree removed from in front of the window for this very reason:)


Merry Christmas from our home to yours
(and yes...I love everything cheesy Christmas- I can't help it)

Hope everyone is getting in the Christmas spirit!

Dining Room

Well we finally finished our dining room! It was a very long process of tearing off wallpaper and sanding walls before we could finally paint and finish our room...

Here's what it looked like BEFORE:

(So sad those curtains had to go)




And then we scraped and sanded...


Then we steamed...


Then peeled...


Then sprayed and peeled off the backing...


Then scored the SECOND layer of wallpaper...



And then we basically repeated the process again with the second layer yucky wallpaper.
Then we spackled and sanded the sections where the drywall was torn.
And THEN we were FINALLY ready to paint...


And put up crown molding...


And install a new chandelier...


And install wood blinds...

And FINALLY it's done!

Just in time to put up our Christmas tree!
(pictures coming soon)