When we take photos using a timer I always hang on to all of photos, even the bad ones in hopes that I will make a gif or animation of them. We took a lot of photos this way on our honeymoon and I put together a video and included all of them and loved the way it turned out. Now it's been almost 5 years and that was the last time I used multiple shots that way... Until now!

So, here is one of the portraits we took using our tripod. I don't have the camera take this many photos just for the thought of turning into a gif, but practically to make sure that at least one photo is good. Typically I set my camera to 10 shots, and usually I find one or two that are good, if I have it in focus!

Now that I know how easy it is, you may see these more often :) I used this gif maker. I tried the first few found on a google search and this was my favorite. I just followed the instructions, loaded my photos, tweaked a couple things, and voila! I really can't believe I'm just now realizing how incredible easy this is.

Have you made a gif before? I actually have tried before using a phone app, which was somewhat easy, but lacking in quality. Do you have any other suggestions?

This was Ruby's first real snow that she could play in at our home. We just moved to a different midwest city, but it seems like we've missed out on a lot of snow. Winter has also taken it's time to show up, so we fully welcomed this big snow in late January. Ruby, like most things, wasn't phased much by the snow. She was interested, sure, but she just acted like she's seen it may times before. So like her father in that way.

Now here are just the few (ok, many) photos that I selected of Ruby to share with you:

1. Arizona, Antelope Canyon 
This was on both of the lists I read, and for good reason. It's crazy beautiful. We've visited Arizona a couple times. Once for a wedding and the second a quick couple day stop to see the Grand Canyon and Sedona. We're thinking of visiting friends in Phoenix and I've been dreaming of visiting this place since Jordan showed it to me. Maybe we can make the trip if we visit (especially since the boys are already thinking about hiking at the Grand Canyon)

2. The Ozarks, Eureka Springs
Not too far from us, Jordan has been bugging me about this spot since we moved here. I think he's won me over for this year. It's not too far, so we may do this if a big vacation doesn't make the budget for our upcoming vacation or a long weekend.

3. Asheville, North Carolina, Greenville, South Carolina
We will actually be with Jordan's family in South Carolina over our anniversary. Thinking that we can escape for a dinner date to one of these places. We've been to both of these places and love them enough to add to the list again.

4. Glacier National Park
Maybe this can be our five year anniversary trip? Fall sounds like a great time to travel here, which is when Jordan will be able to have time off again. Either way, this on both of our lists, so if it doesn't happen this year, than some day for sure.

5. Denver, Colorado
I have a best friend that lives in Denver, and visited her on a whim a few years ago. Jordan was sending me flight prices today to see if I wanted to go see her over the next couple weekends (surprise, Jen!) Jordan is seriously the best, when he has hard months at work he always encourages me to see friends and have fun. Stud, that guy.
Jordan is also looking up flights as we speak to Phoenix and seeing if we could possible do a long layover to do a quick visit (he's never been!) so maybe we can knock off two of these in one trip!

6. Southern California 
One of our favorite trips to date has been our trip to the west coast. We visited friends in Seattle and headed down to Northern California for a month while Jordan did an away rotation. We traveled to Lake Tahoe (where I snapped the photo above, can you see the blue lake?) Yosemite, San Francisco, and all of the coastal towns on HWY 1 leading up to Big Sur. And Big Sur! It was a dream. So now we're wanting to see what else The Golden State has to offer. (I'd say this is in the running for anniversary trip too)

Do you have any must sees at any of these places?

I decided not to hang up any art and to not go overboard in decorating. I thought that this space was nowhere near complete when we left. Now I feel all kinds of heart pains looking back at these photos, because it's perfect. The simplicity, the streams of light, the bookshelf that's not perfectly styled. & even the dust on the floor. I am so sad that Ruby will never know this space, this place and city we called home.


Although I would have preferred not to make a big move to another state with a newborn, I think it really helped in designing Ruby's nursery. I didn't add anything extra and got rid of things we didn't need or want. It helped to get rid of a lot of the bulk that comes with having your first baby. I didn't feel as bad returning or donating items we didn't need or changed our mind on. What's left is everything we really loved. I decorated mainly with toys and books that I found to be beautiful and focused on quality over quantity.


I am so glad that I remembered and managed to take these photos. I had a lot of fun looking through these photos, so many memories! I hope you enjoyed them too! I will take some photos of Ruby's current room to show you in the future, it's mostly the same but with some art on the walls. She also lucked out with a bigger room!
_______________________
Sources:
Rocker
Blanket on Rocker 
Crib
Swan Crib Sheet
Similiar Pouf
Color Baby Beads Wood Rattle
Newborn Gown
Diaper Pail 
Daybed
Hamper
Ruby Books
Giraffe Teether
Wooden Rattle

Pom Poms

This year I bought this pom pom maker. After years of using a fork or cardboard, it is a total game changer. I can now make the biggest, fluffiest pom poms to dress up presents. I had the best intentions of making pom pom garland, but maybe next year.

Make sure to read the instructions fully before beginning, it's really easy once you understand how it works. Or you can do what I did and just figure it out by doing it wrong a couple times. Whatever works.

Tips on making the best pom poms:
1. The best way to make big, fluffy pom poms is to wrap as much yarn as possible like in the photos above and below.
2. Get sharp scissors to get through the thick yarn
3. Make sure to tie a tight knot around the pom pom to hold the yarn together well. I have a few that are falling apart, because I tied it too loose.
(This will all make sense once you read through the directions and make your pom pom)



Washi Tape

This year I found this washi tape combo at Target. I got it specifically for wrapping my Christmas gifts. The gold adds the perfect touch of elegance to the rugged paper.



How do you wrap your presents? Do you reuse brown paper bags too?

Top Christmas towns in Illinois - Wanting to visit St. Charles before we head out of town

hello from the dad side - Once Jordan heard Adele's Hello a week after it came out, he was obsessed. He thought this was hilarious. He's such a dad.

HGTV Flip or Flop host - Jordan and I used to poke fun at this show, but this story is crazy.

Where we had dinner last week - We went here when Jordan's mom was in town, just look at this pictures of the cool Art Deco interior. Definitely recommend if you're in St. Louis

Instagram Husband - Jordan thought this was pretty funny, not that he can relate or anything

Giant Microbes - He didn't respond to this one

& that photo! Jordan was so willing to take a photo in front of the Christmas lights he put up. So thankful that he loves decorating for Christmas.