Christmas Archives - Through Heather's Looking Glass

Christmas Recap 2017

January 4, 2018 by Heather

Happy January guys! I can’t believe it’s now 2018. How many of you are still forgetting and writing 2017 on everything? Hand raise! We had a great Christmas, but just like every year it flew by so fast and I want it back! Here are a few of my favorites photos and things we did.

The Friday before, Emma Kate had PJ day at school and obviously had to show them off.

Saturday we made reindeer food and fudge.

Christmas eve we went to church along with my mom and dad.

Love singing Silent Night with just out voices and the candles. So beautiful.

After church, we hit up PDQ. I know it’s not very traditional, but we knew we were going to be cooking all the things that night and the next day so I was not up for cooking again for lunch.

Bobby cooked pork chops for dinner and mom was in charge of bread, which is terrifying because she always burns it. So she sat in front of my oven to make sure she didn’t. Bless it.

We made cookies for Santa and left them by the tree with some milk.

We read the Christmas story from the Bible and the Night Before Christmas. My sister’s plane arrived just in time for her to get to join in and tell Emma Kate good night.

My mom, dad, and sister left to go to their house, then Santa came!

On Christmas morning, I made EK sit at the top of the stairs and wait just like I used to do. She was a trooper even though she didn’t really understand ha.

She ran downstairs to see that Santa came, and was so excited! She even had gifts in her stocking.

This is my FAVORITE Christmas photo from the day. Sums it all up perfectly.

Happy girl loved her “doctor things”

Self timer for the win!

We got ready then drove down to my parents new house for the day. It was my first time seeing it with furniture and I love it!

Emma Kate even has her own room.

Also, Santa made a visit to Grammy and Papa’s house, too.

Bobby also got in on the gift action. (and he got me a laptop!)

Maybe a future career?

The weather was in the low 70’s and perfect.

We had our big meal at lunch, and it was delicious.

Santa even left Emma Kate a cupcake.

Self timer again!

Lunch goodness.

Christmas day is also my moms birthday so we had a cake, of course!

Emma Kate learned how to “drive” papa’s golf cart.

The sign of a good day, asleep int he car by 7:30. We drove home and were so sad it was all over, but thankful for the great memories!

I hope you had a great Christmas with your loved ones. I’m already looking forward to next year.

Filed Under: family, holidays, Tampa, Uncategorized Tagged: Christmas, Christmas eve, cooking, family, holidays, presents, Recap, santa, tampa

Merry Christmas 2017

December 25, 2017 by Heather

From my family to yours, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas with those you love.

Luke 2 New International Version (NIV)

The Birth of Jesus

⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Filed Under: family, holidays Tagged: Christmas, family, holidays

Holiday Like This at Universal Orlando Resort

December 19, 2017 by Heather

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Universal Orlando Resort, however all opinions are my own.

It’s always fun to Visit Universal Orlando Resort, but if you want a little “extra” something, be sure visit for the holidays. There are so many fun decorative touches throughout the parks as well as special shows and events you won’t want to miss. It’s just the perfect thing to get you in the holiday spirit!

1.) Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s: If you have any Mischievous Minion fans in your house, this parade is not to be missed. There are adorable floats with your favorite Despicable Me characters as well as those from Shrek and Madagascar. Don’t forget about the Macy’s balloons flying high in the sky! There’s singing, their’s dancing, and a lot of smiling (trust me on this one!) Be sure to catch the action
Dec. 18 – Jan. 6 at 8 pm.

2.) The parks all decked out for the holidays: Going from attraction to attraction at a Universal Orlando Resort theme park is a blast, but it’s even better when there is Christmas music in the background, beautiful lights, and garland everywhere you look. That little bit of extra magic was really fun to see and kept us smiling all day long.

3.) Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular at Islands of Adventure:

Seuss landing was adorably decorated and full of whimsy. I could have just walked around looking at the decorations all day! But, there is even more to see with a live retelling of the classic tale “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” featuring music recorded by Mannheim Steamroller.

You can even meet the green guy himself after the show. There is also a character breakfast with the Grinch, but it’s a separate ticketed event.

4.) Christmas at Hogwarts: This was definitely a highlight of our trip, and I’m so glad we went back into Islands of Adventure to see it. Walking through Hogsmeade all decorated for the holidays was cute, but the projection show took the cake.

Shows are done every few minutes, and the projection on the castle is breathtaking. Seriously, the pictures don’t do it justice. Trust me, you do NOT want to miss this!

Universal Orlando Resort

5.) On Site Hotel Decorations:

We had the privilege of staying at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, which was also very much in the holiday spirit. There was a huge tree in the lobby as well as an adorable village make of candy and desserts. They will also be having Christmas character meals, so be sure to call for more information if you will be there over Christmas. The other in site hotels have their own decorations as well. It would make for a fun evening to go visit them all!

These special holiday events and happenings are going on now through January 6th at Universal Orlando Resort. Which one are you most excited about?

Filed Under: blogging, family, holidays, vacation Tagged: Christmas, harry potter, holidays, orlando, resort, sapphire falls, universal

Westfield Shopping Spree Giveaway

December 5, 2017 by Heather

It’s time to get serious about your holiday shopping! If you live in the Tampa area, you can also check out all the fun holiday offerings at the Westfield malls in Brandon, Citrus Park, and Countryside.

Of course the thing every child wants to do is visit Santa! You can come tell him what you want for Christmas through Christmas Eve. You can even get a fastpass (shorter, faster line) by purchasing your photo package in advance online. (visit each mall’s website for a complete list of hours).

Emma Kate was SO pumped to meet Santa and tell him what she wanted for Christmas. The photographers were great, and the set up was super cute, too. I was not expecting to see Mrs. Claus so that was a fun treat! Our photos were ready instantly to take home with us, no waiting around.

There are last minute/extended hours shopping from December 15-24 at the malls. Also, be sure to check out the website for more details on discounts and special events.

Not sure what to get that special someone on your list? A Westfield gift card makes a great gift, because then they can pick out what THEY like best!

westfield

Who wants a chance to WIN a $100 Westfield gift card? Just follow the rafflecoptor directions below. I will announce a winner on the 12th. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, however all opinions are my own.

Filed Under: family, Giveaway, holidays Tagged: Christmas, Giveaway, holidays, santa

Winter’s Wonderland & Sea of Lights Holiday Events

November 30, 2017 by Heather

Living in Florida, we have learned that there is so much to see in and do, especially around the holidays. Something that is new to us is Winter’s Wonderland & Sea of Lights Holiday Events at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. We were invited to come check out the aquarium and learn about the holiday events that you and your family can enjoy this year.

Emma Kate loves animals, so she was pumped to see the turtles, otters, sharks, and in particular, the dolphins, like Winter and Hope of Dolphin Tale fame. We met some super sweet volunteers who gave us so much information about the animals that call the aquarium home, and the rescue and release process for some of them. I in particular love their mission:

“We believe in preserving our marine life and environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation, and release.”

There were so many adorable animals at the aquarium that for one reason or another can’t survive in the wild, and while some will live there permanently, there are some that are able to be released back into their natural habitats which is so awesome.

Ok, so moving on to the awesome activities going on for the holidays! So in addition to touring the aquarium, you can also do these things on select dates:

- 11/24-12/23 – Come see Winter Claus: Guests have the opportunity to meet Winter Claus (set-up in Spectrum Theater)
- 12/15, 12/16, 12/22, 12/23 – Stay Late: The aquarium is staying open late until 9 p.m. This way guests can best enjoy the lights, see Winter Claus, enjoy free cookies and enjoy a “Sea of Lights” 45 minute boat ride! (Sea of Lights will run from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. on select dates with $9.99 admission starting after 4 p.m. The Sea of Lights Boat Cruise will take you around Clearwater Bay to see the holiday lights by boat!)
- 12/27-12/30 – Meet and Greet: Actors from the Dolphin Tale movies will be at the aquarium to meet guests. (<—-awesome!)

Don’t miss out on Experiencing Winter Wonderland with lights and décor all around the aquarium. There are also special santa dive presentations at Mavis’s Rescue Hideaway.Anyone recognize the above office from a certain dolphin related movie?

You can also purchase 20 oz. Coca-Cola products in the park like Coke, Sprite, and Dasani water to enjoy during your visit to the aquarium.

marine aquarium

I highly recommend taking your family to enjoy the special holiday offerings at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium this year!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored, however all opinions are my own.

Filed Under: family, holidays, Tampa Tagged: aquarium, Christmas, clearwater, holidays, tampa, winter

Merry Christmas 2016

December 25, 2016 by Heather

Merry Christmas from the Montgomery family!

Luke 2:9-11

⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

May the love of Christ be in your heart today and all year through. I love yall!

Filed Under: Faith, family, holidays Tagged: Christmas, faith, family, holidays, Jesus

2016 Christmas Gift List

December 12, 2016 by Heather

It’s time again for some Christmas gift ideas! This is in no way an exhaustive list, but just meant to give you some ideas for the fitness lover or hard to shop for family member on your list. All of these products are things personally used by me, and some of them may contain affiliate links, while others are things I just love and wanted to tell you about! Let me know if you have any questions and I can try to help you out or find answers. Happy shopping!

1.) Running skirts from RunningSkirts.com. I know I talk about these a lot, but they are seriously my favorite running skirt brand. Pockets on each side to hold keys, tissue etc, sweat wicking, and they have styles with shorts, capris, and briefs. Super comfy and adorable too! They also have shorts (run buns) and capris now, too. The tops are really lightweight, and they are always coming out with new stuff. Right now they are having sales on different days for different items, so go check out their site!

2.) Resistance bands. Since we just moved and haven’t joined a gym yet, I knew I would need to get a couple of things to get me by for now, and resistance bands were at the top of my list. They are great for stretching, PT, or minor running injuries. For instance, I have hip and IT band issues and strengthening my hips and legs with resistance bands has helped me So much! I use them while I watch TV at night. Super easy.

3.) Photo gifts from Shutterfly. These are always a big hit, especially with family members wanting pictures of Emma Kate. We personally order our Christmas cards and photo calendars from here and the quality is great! Also, this time of year they are always having sales.

4.) goodr sunglasses: This is a start up company I came across, and I am in love with their super affordable and adorable running sunglasses. They don’t slip (really!) and I have worn mine every day. They did a kickstarter campaign in the fall, and I believe in these sunglasses so much that I joined in and pledged. More colors are coming soon! You can get them in orange with free shipping for prime members now, or check out their website for pre orders of other colors.

5.) My ebook or in paperback: I of course had to throw this one in there. Smile If you or a friend are looking for some motivation, encouragement, and a fresh start for the new year, then my ebook may be for you. If you aren’t sure, you can read a sample chapter here for free.

6.) ZEROWATER water filters: I have used the ZEROWATER pitcher before and was super impressed, but this was my first time using the portable tumbler. It’s pretty awesome because I can now fill up my water bottle anywhere and know that I will have great filtered water! I took it to the gym this morning and it worked like a charm. It combines the top-performing filtration technology with a sleek, convenient design. The ZeroWater filtration system combines FIVE sophisticated technologies that work together to remove virtually all dissolved solids from your tap water, so you taste nothing but the water.

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QOTD: What is on your Christmas gift list?

Filed Under: blogging, fitness, holidays, running gear Tagged: Christmas, gifts, Running Skirts, Shutterfly, sunglasses

Christmas 2015 Recap

December 29, 2015 by Heather

Hello! Sorry for the delayed post. We didn’t get home from Louisiana until last night and I was too tired to upload pictures and write a post. So much happened over the past few days, I wouldn’t have been able to do it justice in my exhausted state of mind! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with the ones you love. The post Christmas blues have set in and I’m trying to keep my mind off of how far away next Christmas is!

We drove down to south Louisiana after lunch on the 23rd. My mom had left to pick up my sister at the airport, so we hung out with my dad until everyone was home.

Emma Kate was fascinated by all of my parent’s Christmas decorations.

On Christmas eve morning, I met Jen for coffee at Starbucks and it was packed! It was great to see her, and I invited her family over for Christmas night dinner, so glad they ended up coming!

The rest of the day was pretty low key. My mom and I did some baking, and then me, Bobby, my dad and sister went to Christmas eve service at my parent’s church at 3:00.

We came home and prepped for dinner.

We are usually so tired and full on Christmas day after lunch with my extended family so we decided to do our “nice’ meal Christmas eve.

The meal ended with Emma Kate discovering the wonders of reddi whip. She kept stealing the can and trying to squirt it into her mouth, so I helped.

After dinner we followed our tradition of my dad reading the Christmas story from the Bible, and then Bobby read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.

My dad then read the Cajun Night Before Christmas (my sister brought the cowboy hats from Texas.)

My sister insisted on EK wearing a hat while we took a pic with the girls, but Emma Kate make it known she was not a fan.

Little bit went to bed after all the fun.

We usually watch a movie on Christmas Eve, but this year we decided to watch Christmas episodes of one of our favorite shows, Everybody Loves Raymond. We laughed a ton, and then called it a night.

Santa came, and we opened presents on Christmas morning.

Emma Kate quickly figured out how to rip open her gifts.

We took our time opening gifts and drinking coffee, it was nice to not be rushed.

We eventually cleaned up and drove to my cousin’s house for lunch with my mom’s side of the family. Sweet Emma Kate fell asleep in the car so Bobby sat with her until she woke up.

I plead the 5th on what was in my glass.

We headed home after lunch and got ready for friends to come over. We are so glad The Z family came over for dinner!

we ate, the kids played, it was a lot of fun and nice to do something so casual.

The next morning, Bobby and I went for a 10 mile run. We never get to run together anymore so it was a nice treat.

I even got to take a short nap! That evening we went to an annual Christmas party that my parent’s neighbors have been holding since I was a child. I look forward to it every year, it’s great to catch up with people that I lived on the same street as for many many years and I love that everyone still is in the same houses!

Sunday afternoon we somehow managed to load up everything into our SUV and made the trek home. I didn’t even unpack I was so tired.

It was a GREAT Christmas but I hate how quickly it went by! I know I say that every year, but I just feel like there is so much anticipation and then it’s over in a flash. I can’t wait for next year when Emma Kate will be able to understand it even more. Merry Christmas!

QOTD: What did you do for Christmas?

Filed Under: baby, family, holidays, running Tagged: Christmas, emma kate, family, holidays

Merry Christmas 2015

December 23, 2015 by Heather

I know I usually share my card on the 24th or 25th, but we are heading down to Louisiana today, and I will be MIA from blogging until Monday. Bobby’s mom is coming to stay at our house while we are gone, and I’m not even brining my laptop!

Per usual, I am post my Christmas card we sent out to our family and friends. I consider you my friends, and even though I can’t send you all physical cards, I love showing you ours virtually! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and make great memories with the ones you love most.

What a special time to celebrate, the day that Jesus Christ came into the world as a baby! In my family, we honor this important day as the beginning of the most wonderful gift anyone could ever receive.

Isaiah 9:6: 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Merry Christmas from the Montgomery family!

Filed Under: Faith, family, holidays Tagged: Christmas, faith, family, Jesus

Disney at Christmas

December 15, 2015 by Heather

Visiting Walt Disney World at Christmastime is probably my favorite time of year to go (well, it barely edges out the food and wine festival!) There is just something extra magical about all the special touches Disney puts into the decorations, parades, parties, and other events that make it very memorable.

Of course the Magic Kingdom/main street is decked out with beautiful festive decorations.

But my favorite thing to do is go to the different resorts and see their décor. My favorite is the Grand Floridian because of the beautiful gingerbread house that doubles as a store where you can buy gingerbread! It’s so gorgeous (and smells so good) and must be seen in person to fully appreciate it’s coolness.

Other resorts do a great job, especially those with nice big lobbies like Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge.

One thing I am super sad about is that this is the last year for the Osborne lights at Hollywood Studios. It has always been a favorite of mine, and I’m bummed I won’t get to see them again.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a lot of fun, with special fireworks and a parade.

The best part of the Magic Kingdom decorations is hands down the castle. This is something you have to see in person because pictures just don’t do it justice. I can sit forever and stare at it as it changes colors, it truly is breathtaking.

Cannot. get. enough.

There are so many other things like the candlelight processional, and holiday storytellers, it is enough to keep you busy your entire trip! What is your favorite thing about Walt Disney World during the holidays? I would love to hear!

QOTD: What is your favorite thing about WDW during the holidays?

The WINNER of my spread cookie joy giveaway is Rachel Marie! (also displayed on the rafflecoptor widget on the original post). Thanks to all who entered!

Filed Under: Disney, holidays, vacation Tagged: Christmas, Disney, holidays, vacation, walt disney world

Christmas Recap 2017

Merry Christmas 2017

The Birth of Jesus

Holiday Like This at Universal Orlando Resort

Westfield Shopping Spree Giveaway

Winter’s Wonderland & Sea of Lights Holiday Events

Merry Christmas 2016

2016 Christmas Gift List

Christmas 2015 Recap

Merry Christmas 2015

Disney at Christmas

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