* This post is sponsored by Minted This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links

Our Christmas card photos were *almost* an EPIC FAIL this year. I had this grand idea of an uber beautiful and dreamy bohemian look complete with yucca trees and hazy sun filtering through our hair. As soon as we rounded the bend in the road I panicked...our location was freaking TORCHED from a previous fire...that happened TWO years ago! My photographer, and best friend, was like, "Ummmmm?"

We continued to drive and things weren't getting any greener. Matt suggested turning off the main highway and once we did that things started looking less singed. Phew! Crises #1 averted. Because let's be real... there was no way I was getting all five of us ready again and making the hour long drive out to Victorville. As fun as car rides can be with two babies and a five year old I wasn't looking forward to doing round two.

We pulled off on the side of a deserted road and then had the pleasure of realizing the sun was going to set in about five minutes behind the tall mountains. My dreamy photo was slipping away! We were in an absolute stage 5 panic as we threw shoes on babies, hair sprayed cowlicks, and slapped headbands on. We trampled through some brush, smiled for about 2.5 minutes and this is what we got...

PERFECTION! That's a Christmas miracle right there, folks! ;) So... now you know the story behind the magic. There is beauty in the chaos! And doesn't it make you appreciate the photo more?!

One of my absolute favorite things about the holidays is Christmas cards! I just love seeing my mailbox stacked high with festive envelopes and then opening the cards and seeing my friends' smiling faces. I tape mine up on our wall with some plaid washi tape and everyone enjoys looking at them when they come over.

behind the scenes ;)

This year I partnered with Minted to create the most beautiful Christmas cards. I'm absolutely in love with the cards and how they accentuate the photo we used. We went with a "boho" themed photo (yucca trees and all!) and I wanted to keep the card very simple so the picture could really shine.

I like how Minted gives you the option to personalize everything down to matching stamps! I chose to personalize the back of our card with a picture of the kiddos along with a verse that I've had up all year in our home, Psalm 126:3 "The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with JOY." I also added our return address (in the font and color of my choice) to the back of our envelope...less writing for me!

The quality of the printing at Minted is what really impressed me. When I opened the box I immediately noticed the thick paper and how clear our photo looked. Nothing is more frustrating than knowing your photo is high quality and having it come back fuzzy.

If you guys haven't ordered your holiday cards yet now is the time! Minted's Black Friday deal ends TODAY so hurry over there! Use code BF2017 for up to 20% off your order.

When Christmas is over I hole punch them and tie a ribbon around them and keep them under the coffee table. People flip through them throughout the year which is fun. I used to cut them down and tape each photo to the side of our fridge which is always a nice way to see our friends' faces throughout the year. What do you guys do with your Christmas cards?

all family photos by Carrie Johnson Photography

I've been decorating Blair's room for Christmas for years. This year I decided that I wanted in on the fun and added some festive decor to MY bedroom! Why should kids have all the fun?! ;)

I recently picked out some darling sheets at Linens and Hutch to add some magic to my bedroom. We've been sleeping like babies in our cozy new sheets and my hubby even said, "Are these new sheets? They're so soft!" And that's saying a lot from a guy who doesn't usually notice when I change things around in our house. ;)

I love that when you walk into our room everything looks clean and white but when you get up close you can see the small swiss dots on our sheets. I like that they add a little playfulness to our space. These durable sheets resist static, stains, are fade resistant and are wrinkle-free! Bonus points that they are also hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and antibacterial (perfect for people with allergies).

If you want to add a little Christmas spirit to your bedroom (or your kiddos!) make sure you check them out! Their prices are super reasonable for such a high quality sheet. 

Use code "natyouraveragegirl" to get 30% off your order from Linens and Hutch! With Christmas right around the corner this would be a great way to save on a thoughtful gift.

Before it gets too late (is it too late?!) I wanted to post our Halloween costumes! I decided that it would be funny to have the twins dress up as Grumpy and Happy from Snow White (because at least one of them is grumpy at any given moment). At first Everly earned the Grumpy costume but we ended up pulling a switcheroo because Cal has just been such a baby lately haha. And you can see he is playing the part in our family photo below!

Matt thinks I should wear the beard on a regular basis...thoughts?! ;)

A big thanks to Matt's Mom for making the twins' costumes...they were a hit! And what a good sport M was wearing his Dopey ears. :) Blair actually decided I should be Sleepy because I'm always tired and that M should be Dopey because he's such a silly Dad. Of course nothing fits her better than being the princess!

Welp, I've officially signed up to gain ten pounds. Yep, that's right. I bought a Disneyland pass and you know what that means...corn dogs!!! Ha ha but for real I am SO freaking excited!!! We went to Disneyland last week with my family and it was so fun we decided to sign up for the year. I've missed the mouse house these last couple years!

My parents treated us to stay at the Grand California Hotel in Disneyland and omg what a treat! Blair loved the water slide there so much she didn't want to go to Disneyland (haha!). We stayed in a massive three bedroom suite with all six grandkids. That means the five of us were all in one room but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Nothing was going to get me down at the happiest place on earth!

The twins had a great time although Everly enjoyed the rides much more than Cal. No surprise that he was a little scared by everything. Evie in particular really liked the carousel, Dumbo, Ariel, the Ferris Wheel, Toy Story, and Winnie the Pooh.

We're headed back again in a couple weeks and I just can't even wait to see the Christmas decorations!

It seems like every year I get the itch earlier and earlier to bust out my Christmas decorations. I used to have a strict "no decorating till after Thanksgiving" policy but with three kids now I just want the season to last a little longer. I may have gotten a few things out already!

We have so many sweet traditions at our house around Christmas time and Blair just goes NUTS over all of it. Christmas really is the best time to be a kid! One of her favorite things is our advent calendar. Each day we read a part of the Christmas story and then follow it up with an activity (like decorating our tree in festive jammies) or an act of kindness (like buying a gift for a child in need). This keeps Christmas both fun and meaningful in our house.

Gymboree's holiday looks are the perfect fit for our holiday traditions. Putting on coordinating, festive jammies while decorating the tree gets everyone excited (and comfortable!). We love Gymboree's quality clothing especially since everything Blair wears will soon become Everly's! And you know it makes my heart go pitter-patter when I see all three of my kiddos in matching jammies. :)

I'm always on the prowl for cute festive jammies and accessories and Gymboree had me covered this year! They had everything I needed to keep my kiddos warm. Hats, scarves, slippers... you name it! Make sure you check out their holiday line and head over to my instagram (@natyouraveragegirl) for your chance to win a $50 gift card!

What are your holiday traditions? Do you get festive jammies every year? Tell me why you think the holidays are the best time to be a kid!

*This post was sponsored by Gymboree

Happy Tuesday! What goes together better than hot dogs and hamburgers? These two sure are enjoying each other's company lately. They're the best of friends! Cal's darling organic onesie is by Estella. 

As you can tell the couch has been a huge hit lately. They can crawl up and down and all around on that thing. And isn't it always the things in your house that aren't toys that they enjoy the most?! Merry Christmas, Cal and Evie, you get a couch!