Have Yourself A "Mani" Little Christmas!

This year, for Christmas, I wanted my gift giving, to my girlfriends, to be unique and different.  I knew from the moment I started shopping what I wanted to do for them. It actually came to me after going to the "Stocked Market."  A local representative for "Jamberry Nails" had a booth at the Roanoke Civic Center and we were able to see them being applied and thumb through a catalog. Lilah fell in LOVE with them, as they have a children's line, and begged for some.  She had already picked out a "souvenir" from the Stocked Market, so I had to tell her no.

I had originally planned on picking out a pattern/style, of Jamberry nails, that I felt fit each of my girlfriends' personalities. Before I could blink, Christmas arrived, and I ran out of time to place an order. I then considered purchasing gift cards for them, but then I realized I would miss out on their "Buy 3 jamberry nail packs, get 1 free."  SO... it was then that I went on a hunt for a great way to present this gift to my Sensational 6.  

I first checked Pinterest AND as we all know, I didn't have to search anymore. You truly can find anything you need on there. I fell in love, IMMEDIATELY, with the FIRST idea I found. I came across this pin, which led me directly to Persia Lou's blog. "Cute!", I thought.  I couldn't wait to shop and assemble this gift idea.

I found this adorable cardstock at Michael's.  It's a raised dot/brown, paper bag cardstock! 

I didn't have gift cards, like Persia did.  So, I just printed a mock gift card by using a Jamberry image off of google.

After assembling the cardstock paper and mock gift card, all that I had left to do was "wrap" the gift card holder with my favorite color washi tape.

Although it was Christmas, I chose to use a pink patterned washi tape, unlike Persia's Christmas patterned washi tape.

There you have it!!! I loved the way it turned out. I am NEVER usually a fan of completely copying something, but I'll admit, I am not sure I could have come up with a catchier phrase.  

"Have yourself a MANI little Christmas!"

Major props to you Perisa Lou.  

I am so thankful to my sister-in-law who referred me to Kristen.  I am extra thankful for Kristen, who came to my rescue, less than 2 days before our Sensational 6 dinner.  She sent me 7 catalogs, overnight, along with some samples of Jamberry Nails. 

I enclosed the mock gift card with a catalog. Each of my girls are in the process of picking out their favorite pattern as we speak.  There are over 300 different designs.  It will be hard narrowing it down to one.

I used the samples and put them on Lilah's nails the other night.  I LOVE the look of them.  They are so cool even Darren said, "Wow, that is honestly so impressive!"

I am interested to see how long Jamberry nails last on me, verse my gel manicures. I told Darren if it lasts long, I may alternate between manicures and jamberry nails, but Darren said, "Yea but one of the things I LOVE about you getting a mani/pedi is how soft your skin feels after it's complete."  I love that my hubby wants me to get mani/pedis.  LOL!

You should TOTALLY give this gift out to your friends, teachers, or daughters too! I thought of a catchy phrase to use when giving this gift as a thank you to someone...

"MANI thanks for ALL you do!!!" See?!?! I can be created and original too.  Hehe!

WWE RAW!!!!!

Back in August, I believe, my brother left for Australia.  He became a temporary resident there, due to a "special project" he was working on, in his career as an FBI agent.  Before he left, he promised Tyson that he would take his son, Will, as well as Tyson, to a WWE RAW wrestling match upon his return.  Tyson literally counted the days down! David stuck to his promise and purchased tickets for a December 30th match. My mom was also visiting, so it was a double treat.  

The night of the match, the boys made posters for their favorite wrestlers.

Uncle David helped out a lot.  Who knew he was into "crafting!" I had to take a picture of his tongue sticking out.  LOL! He used to use his tongue, as a kid, when playing video games.  I think it helped him advance to the next level.  #socomical

Uncle David came downstairs all dressed and ready for the event.  I guess the sunglasses, on the t-shirt, symbolizes one of the wrestler's known attire.

The boys completed their posters and were all smiles, knowing it was almost time to go.

Jax chose John Cena! "You can't C me!"

Ty chose "Big Show".

Will chose CM Punk!

My brother didn't bring a camera, of course, MEN, but he captured two shots at the event.

Jax didn't have a nap that day, so by 10:30 pm, I think he was DONE! He couldn't take another minute. He truly had to be tired to 1. Fall asleep (it's LOUD) and 2. Trust that his Uncle David wouldn't leave him there, but rather carry him to the car. LOL!   

Dave, we are very thankful for fulfilling your promise to our boys.  They will never forget that night.  I'm thankful they have at least one uncle that they are able to visit with on a regular basis.  

A Trip To Richmond and Busch Gardens

My brother's job has moved him all the way across the world to Australia WITHOUT his family.  It's a great "promotion"/accomplishment, but it's sad that he is missing out on being with them daily.  His wife, Amanda, is a school teacher, so the plan was as soon as school got out for the summer, her and the boys would travel to see him, spend the summer with him, and return before her new school year began. Unfortunately, Amanda's father's cancer has spread to his bone marrow and brain and he has been given 6-12 weeks to live.  Amanda and her father are VERY close, so she has cancelled her trip to reside in Australia for the summer, with my brother, to spend her father's last days with him. I knew this news would be devastating... all of it.  So I asked Amanda what I could do to help, if anything.  Amanda said, "Having visitors, for Will especially, would help distract us for a day or so."  SO, that's exactly what we did.  We loaded up the car on Wednesday and hung out with the Crisafi family until Friday.  Will and Tyson reunited like they just saw each other the day before. Lilah and Jax kind of tagged along and when Michael would allow Lilah to, she would follow him around "mothering" him. We got a ton accomplished in just the short 2 days we were there.  On Thursday, we went to Busch Gardens.  It was my second time and the kids FIRST time ever.  I think we ALL had a ton of fun. In fact, we had so much fun, we are heading back there THIS wednesday with daddy to spend a few days at Busch Gardens and Water Country Safari.  Enjoy the photos I took while in Richmond/Williamsburg.  I am posting a few of my favorites and then you can double click on the photo album below to view ALL of them, if you so desire.  :)

*George Coleman is Amanda's father's name if you wouldn't mind keeping him in your prayers, mostly for pain management.  Amanda has a twin sister (Melissa) and a mother (Vicki) who has been married to George for 40 years.

 Love this shot of the 3 boys.

Aunt Amanda took it while I was waiting in line at BG to park.

 By request, the first ride the kids rode was the "Pirate Ship".

From the looks of it, Amanda is the ONLY one who was having fun.

 Aunt Amanda and Michael.  Sorry I cut you out Will :(

 Watching a show in Germany, while I grabbed lunch.

 Ropes course.

Lilah really was there, lol!

Michael and Lilah were limited on what they could ride.

They hung out mostly together on the "baby rides".

Shorties......

 Jax was super psyched to learn how tall he really was.

He has grown 5 inches in the last year.

This allowed him to ride the BIG boy swings.

Tea cups.

 "Weeeeee!"

 Face painting fun!

 I rode the Pompeii Rapids with the boys.

I was in desperate need of being refreshed by some cold water.

THAT'S probably the ONLY reason I agreed to riding it.

 It actually was fun, but the straight down part wasn't, lol!

 COUSINS!!!!

Below, Tyson, Jax, and Will do the ropes course.

 Aunt Amanda braved the dizzy tea cup rides with all the kids.  I would have been sick the rest of the day if I rode this.

I braved the Pompeii Water Rapids ride with the three oldest boys.  We rode it twice.  I chanced video recording it with my iPhone, but when we got inside the tunnel, someone asked me to shut my camera off.  LOL!  Leave it to me to get yelled at on a ride for having my video camera on.  Oh well, it's probably better than I didn't have it in my hands while going straight down.  I probably would have lost it.  

ONE of the reasons we are going back this weekend is because we didn't even finish HALF the park & tickets to go BACK were only $15 since we were able to apply last week's ticket prices to the return ticket.  AN AWESOME DEAL!!!!

Killing Two Birds With ONE Stone!!!

Over the weekend, we had the pleasure of "killing two birds with ONE stone".  We were able to travel to Richmond and reside with my brother's family for the weekend in addition to seeing my mother, who actually lives in Florida.  

Upon arriving, the kids were greeted with gifts form Gram. Now that's the way to start any gathering.  LOL!  (Above): Gram is playing play-doh with the kids.

The weekend was filled with loads of good eats.  Friday, we ate in (hamburgers and hotdogs).  Then we left to enjoy a scoop of ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery.  YUM!!!!!  

The next day, my brother, the chef, cooked us bacon, eggs, and blueberries.  NO BREAD... he's a hardcore gluten free/grass fed eater.  Lunch consisted of Chipolte.  (Above): Even the dog is fed grass grazed and gluten free. NO LIE. NO DOG FOOD.  Check out what his breakfast consisted of.

The kids had a blast all day Saturday.  Gram took them to the park, while Darren, Amanda, and I shopped at Five Below and Old Navy.  Amanda hired a baby sitter and the grown-ups enjoyed MORE good eats at the Cheesecake Factory.  Now, that's the way to end your BAD EATING HABITS.  Haha.  

The laughter and excitement never ended for the kids.  It's amazing how after just two visits in one month, Tyson and Will are attached to the hip.  Immediately after getting in our car to head back to Roanoke, Tyson exclaimed, "I wish Will could come with us!"  

We plan to visit them again and go to Busch Gardens together. Dave and Amanda, if Will needs a Tyson fix before then, feel free to come see us!!!  I can always use a Short Pump fix. LOL!  Thanks for your hospitality.  We had a lovely time.

To view all of the photos from the weekend, double click on the photo album below.

[I had a photo album inserted HERE, but skeevy perverts from the internet where viewing my blog and enjoy "boys in their undies".  This is a SICK WORLD we live in.  If you are family or close friends and desire to see the photo album that was attached above... please shoot me an email.  I WILL SEND the photo album to you personally.]

A Visit from Uncle David and FAMILY!

It's been several years since Uncle David and his family have made a visit to Roanoke.  I think the last visit was for Tyson's 5th Birthday party at the Green Ridge Rec Center, 2 1/2 years ago.  It hasn't been that long since the kids have seen them though (maybe 1 year).  David was coming to town to visit us, but also to take his little guy Will to a WWE wrestling match.  We were invited, but the tickets were like $75 a piece so we passed. Upon arriving, we met the Crisafi family at the mall, just to ride the train, play on the playground, and get a bite to eat a Panera.  

Tyson and Will were "too cool" to ride the train.

 But my twinsies and Michael didn't pass up this Christmas fun!

 Aunt Amanda brought the kiddies some adorably cute,

Personalized Christmas ornaments that her co-worker makes.  

Thanks for thinking of us, Aunt Amanda.

 Then, after the littlest ones were put down for their naps,

the daddy's and older boys played hard in our large backyard,

While the mommy's went to get their nails done.

 This photo blessed my day!

This is the FIRST real moment 
That these two played HARD together.

 Both my brother and my hubby are very physically fit and athletic.

 And from the looks of it, 

Their boys are following perfectly in their footsteps.  

 Look at Will go!!!

 They stayed outside for over 1 hour playing football.

 Will LOVES to do anything involving tackling,

Hence the reason he was headed to a wrestling match later on.

 From the looks of this photo,

I think my little nephew had a blast at our home!!!!

Darren and I both agreed that this was a pleasant visit.

It was nice to spend some time with my brother and his family!