It’s December, and the most wonderful time of the year! I feel like I say it every month, but November flew by. It was full of apples, pumpkins, illness – all four of us got the cold or flu the week of Thanksgiving, time with friends and family, and gratitude for the many blessings in our lives.  So, here are 5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately:

1. Homemade Applesauce

I had been wanting to visit our local apple orchard all fall, but we didn’t get a chance. I thought we would have to wait until next year, so when I saw that there were a couple days days of picking, Abby and I drove out after preschool one day. It was the perfect weather and light, and we had the whole orchard to ourselves. Even though it was the end of the season, we had no trouble filling a few bags with apples. We had enough apple to make several batches of applesauce and apple crisp. Nothing like the smell and taste of fresh, warm applesauce! 

2. Getaway to Indiana

Phil and I were able to have a little overnight in downtown Indianapolis, which meant good food, binge watching HGTV, sleeping in, and a little visit with my college roommate. I hadn’t seen her for months, and it was so nice catching up!

3. Abby’s Birthday

We celebrated Abby’s 5th birthday this month. She brings so much spunk to our lives, and it was fun to celebrate with a Moana themed cake and a special lunch date at Panera.

4. Ethan’s New Smile

“All he wants for Christmas is his two front teeth…” We are officially singing that song this year as Ethan lost both of the two top teeth, thankfully before the big Thanksgiving meal.

5. Christmas Tree Farm

This was our 10th year cutting down our Christmas tree at our local tree farm, and it has become a favorite family tradition. The kids were talking excitedly for days about the popcorn, hot chocolate, and train set waiting for them afterward in the barn. The wagon ride driven by “Santa” out to the trees was the cherry on top.

I’d love to hear what you’ve been Loving Lately and your favorite holiday traditions! To see what I was Loving Last Month, read here, and to see more of our Schanely family fun head over to Instagram and follow along:
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