Hey, hey Thursday!
This morning, I thought I’d share some pics of life lately. Lots of family time makes this mama SUPER happy!
Our first day of Thanksgiving break was all together. A Monday lunch with the fam? A rare and delightful treat!
On Tuesday, we headed to the mall to do a little Christmas shopping. These two just make everything FUN!
Later that night…
…we enjoyed one of our very favorite McKinney restaurants! If you’re ever in town, The Yard is a MUST!!
All cozy by the fire 😉 .
We headed back to our town square the next day…
…and everyone cooperated fully for the family picture. Bahahaha! Ashby! Look at Ashby! She says it all!
Later that night, we took Andrew’s parents out for our traditional Christmas dinner in Highland Park…
…the trees!!! You guys, if you are ever in the Dallas area around the holiday season, YOU MUST GO SEE THE LIGHTS!!!
They don’t even need me anymore. These girls can handle all the holiday baking without me 😉 .
Every year (except for last year) McKinney hosts their annual Home for the Holidays event the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year, Smith was at my parents’ house, so we took the girls down to the square for the annual festivities and tree lighting…
…this is one of my FAVORITE Christmas traditions! Our town has about 200,000 residents but when you go to our square for holiday events, it feels so small and like you’ve stepped inside a Hallmark movie. Look who we bumped into first…
…it wouldn’t be Christmas without lots of extra time with sweet Andrea and her family!
The city bring in so many food stands and trucks and a TON of rides, games and holiday fun…
Hugs for Ms. Patti and The Magic Needle. She’s always one of my faves to see when I visit the Square too!
Saturday morning was made up of a nice long run, sausage balls and White Christmas 🙂 .
On Saturday night…
…we headed over to my parents’ town, Southlake, to check out the holiday magic there too! You guys, this is ANOTHER amazing town to visit if you’re in the area!!!
On Saturday night, we showered…
…and watched The Sound of Music 🙂 . Why do we watch this one during the holiday season?! I don’t exactly know why, but we do. Do you?
Our busy weekend continued because on Sunday…
…we had the church Christmas program! Kensington and Smith were both on stage during the three performances while Andrew and I helped out behind the scenes (and the little girls too!). It was a fun, fun, fun day to share the gospel of Jesus!
I’m trying really hard to keep the magic going each and every day. Lots of craziness starts to creep in, but I remind myself that being with my family is way more important than all of the other *stuff*. I’m not always good at this, but I’m trying really hard to not be swallowed up by the holidays this year.
Look what they wrote! Agh! It made my heart MELT!!!! I came out front and they said Welcome to the Shull’s warm and cozy house. Love. Them. So. Much.
Once again, we’re so proud of sweet K! She decided to try out for the school’s basketball team and made it! I mean…she is not a basketball player (yet!), so this was way out of her comfort zone. We are so proud of her and excited to watch her play!
The pups are diggin’ the holiday lights and music 🙂 .
And finally, a little naughty and nice 😉 .
That’s life lately.
See you all tomorrow! xx
Elspeth says
What a great post full of so much holiday fun! Thanks so much for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Nicole says
Hey Shay!! I was just wondering what your running routine looks like now? Do you save long runs for the weekend? Do you run on strength days? Thanks so much!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Right now we don’t have weekend sports (woohoo!). That will pick back up again after the first of the year with volleyball, so for now, Saturday mornings are a great time to run. I do not run on strength days. I try to only workout a max of one hour a day, so if I’m lifting (like today!) that takes up the entire hour.
Nicole says
You have no idea how much that helps!! Thanks so much! Because as moms, we don’t need more than hour to be active and healthy! You’ve helped me see that!! I will say…my lower steps bother me on my non running days. Agh! Why?!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwww! I’m so happy to hear that, Nicole! You know what? If the steps bother you on non-running day, don’t look. If you’re getting in an hour workout, it doesn’t matter what that silly watch says. Just don’t look and give yourself peace of mind.
Laura says
Looks like a fun and memorable way to spend the Thanksgiving break! How long were Andrew’s parents in town? Did they do everything with you, even though there are no pictures of them?
Mix and Match Mama says
They were here all week and did everything with us. His family likes to fly under the radar online, so I always try to respect that when they visit.
Katie Davis says
I laughed when I saw your comment about “The Sound of Music.” I always watched that with my grandma at Christmas time when she would visit, so it always reminds me of her and Christmas too.
Mix and Match Mama says
But why? Why do we do it?! Bahaha! Nevertheless, I love it 😉 !
DIANE says
GOOD MORNING SHAY. I JUST WANTED TO SAY “THANK YOU” FOR SUCH A LOVELY BLOG SITE. I DISCOVERED YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A COUPE OF YEARS AGO. IT IS SO REFRESHING TO WATCH KNOWING THAT YOU ARE INSTILLING SUCH HEALTHY STANDARDS IN YOUR FAMILY. GOD IS SMILING DOWN UPON YOU. IT IS A JOY TO SHARE MY MORNINGS WITH SUCH GOOD COMPANY. I AM A GRANDMOTHER OF TWO DARLING GIRLS, PRECOCIOUS WRENN WHO IS THREE AND A HALF YEARS AND SWEET RUBY WHO IS A YEAR AND A HALF. AS YOU WELL KNOW, FAMILY IS EVERYTHING. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR OPEN SHARING. IT BRINGS PLEASURE HAVING THOSE MANY HEART TUGS DURING MY WEEK. BLESSINGS UPON YOU ALL. NOW I DO HAVE ONE PROBLEM — I CAN’T SEEM TO FIND YOUR CHRISTMAS SONG LIST. COULD YOU POSSIBLY REPOST ? THANK YOU.
Joanne says
Looks like a fun lead up to Christmas!
Megan says
Too cute, love everything about this post ?
Jacqueline says
Loads of fun!! Where is the cute rei fern sweater from that Ashby is wearing?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s from last year at Target!!
Arika says
I had the most random dream last night that I got invited to dinnner at your house with you, Erika and your mom. I was so nervous about what I was going to wear because you guys always look so cute. Ha!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwwwww! I love that we even invaded your dreams 😉 !
Brit says
I love the sweater in the Hometown Holiday pictures, where is it from?
Mix and Match Mama says
American Eagle!
Brit says
Thank you! I just ordered, love your style!
Mix and Match Mama says
Ohhhh! Thank you so much!!
kIm says
Looks like such a fun week! Can you share some of your favorite local restaurants that offer gluten free choices. We live in the area and have 2 gluten free family members, and we are always looking for new places to go. Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
The Yard has a great g-free menu (they’ll bring it out upon request) and can really modify almost everything. Mexican food is SO EASY to make g-free! We always have enjoyed Mexican food, but we do even more now that K has Celiac.
Alisa Zimmerman says
My family watches Sound of Music every Thanksgiving. The tradition originated with a family from our church we spent almost every Thanksgiving with when I was a kid.
mimi Buerkle says
Shay could you tell me what gluten free flour is the bst for baking? I have yet to find one that does not have a gummy texture!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’ve decided Namaste is my favorite!
Suzanne says
Random question, can you link Smith’s nike shoes? My son wants something like that for Christmas.
Mix and Match Mama says
Let me ask Andrew! I feel like they’re from Nordstrom but I could be wrong!
Olga Alvarez says
Hi Shay, I loved your Christmas home tour this year. Could you please share where you found the red quilt on your bed?
Mix and Match Mama says
Pottery Barn many years ago.
Sheaffer says
I lol’d at naughty and nice. Love those girls!
Elizabeth Thorson says
Heartwarming, sweet and filled with much joy, love and laughter: Shull Family!❤️?❤️
Sarah says
Would you mind sharing the brand of the tan shoes Ashby is wearing in most of the pictures? They are adorable and my daughter who is the same age would love them. Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re from Nordstrom! I think they’re Steve Madden.
Lori Sharp says
Are you wearing a super cute Allie and Bess set with your black sweater? 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
I am!! It’s a set they sell together. I love it with the pearls.
Brooke says
Do you have a link to your sunglasses? Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
I bought them in store but I bet they’re online at louisvuitton.com.
polly pover says
Random question—-are you all mask wearing in public in texas living life normal?
Mix and Match Mama says
Masks are no longer required in most places here in Texas.
Aimee says
Aren’t you worried that your kids (esp those who may be higher risk) are susceptible to Covid-19?
Mix and Match Mama says
Well, just like any mama, I don’t want my kiddos to get COVID. Thankfully, none of my kids are high-risk. (Ashby’s condition does not make her a higher risk.)
Temi says
What restaurant do you recommend in the highland park area? We are taking my twins to Dallas for their birthday and that looks like a great place for dinner one evening.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh so many!! Cafe Pacific, Honor Bar, Mi Coccina! It’s so festive!!
Leanne says
Sigggghhhhhh! SO homey, so cozy, SO fun! We watch specific movies at specific times of year too, like Sound Of Music at Easter. And we do watch a lot of movies at Christmas time, since there are so many good old ones! Thanks for the glimpse into your family’s fun days!
Catherine says
And in the middle of all this goodness, was this gem: being with my family is way more important than all the other *stuff*. Thanks for the reminder!!
Erika Slaughter says
Awww!! Looks like you had a great Thanksgiving week! Loved all the pics!
Sara Bruyere says
Hi Shay,
Restaurant suggestions for Southlake Towncenter . We are taking the grands this weekend !
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwww! There are so many! I personally love Brio this time of year though!
Rebecca Day says
Ok, quite the coincidences all around…we went to the Magic Needle last week so my niece could get her nose piecing jewelry changed out…and then Friday night we ate at The Yard!! Our out-of-town family loved it!!
And for whatever reason, my family watched The Sound of Music every Christmas season, so like you, I consider it a “holiday” movie ??. I visited Salzburg a few years ago and got to see some of the films locations!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh my goodness! I’m surprised I didn’t bump into you!!! I’m so happy you visited those spots!
HW says
The Sound of Music used to be on TV the Friday (or Saturday?) after Thanksgiving. That’s my theory on why it’s a holiday movie.
Mix and Match Mama says
That would be a great theory!
Jenna Campbell says
Hi Shay! Would you mind sharing the red mats the kids are lying on watching the movie in your room? Thank you, just enjoy your blog so much!
Mix and Match Mama says
I need to look them up. They’re from Amazon and they’re sports mats (like for exercise, tumbling).