Checklist

I bet I have more lists than Santa...

chores that need to be done

gifts to wrap

cards to mail

people to spend time with

goodies to bake

movies to watch

errands to run

crafts to create

work, work, work

Sometimes we can get all wrapped up in the "doings" of Christmas that we forget the reason that we are celebrating this season. I am happy to say that this year has been my most calm holiday season yet. We didn't go crazy with the gift buying (we draw names on each side of the family, and mostly just buy for kids), I limited the crafts so I wouldn't have a million projects going on at the same time, I ordered and mailed our cards early and I was finished shopping last weekend. I am ready to soak up this wonderful time of year with the hubs and the family (and my work family of course, I'll be spending countless hours with you over the next 2 days).

 

  

 

I hope you all have a VERY Merry Christmas...

I have one additional post scheduled for this week, a link up for a gift swap that I participated in.... 
will go up on Friday. 

Other than that, you can find me gazing at the tree, stuffing my face, laughing, and snuggling by the fire. 
{oh yeah, and working}

Lovies.

Christmas Home Tour

Yesterday I mentioned that my moms sister and my cousins were in town...

we had an awesome time doing gingerbread house together.

We also had everyone over to our house for hot chocolate and snacks on Sunday night.

I didn't realize that it was the first time anyone from my moms side had been here...

they don't get to the southside much.

This gave me a good reason to give a Christmas Home Tour today... 

and share our decorations with everyone.

only 4 more sleeps till Christmas!!

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

click photos for larger view...


One of my favorite things about Christmas, the cards!

We've received about 6 more since I took this photo...

 the tree in our bedroom... and the puppy.

an updated kitchen shelf...

a few free printables, wrapping paper that looks like a sweater, 

and my favorite picture of Jackson.

Chalk board in the kitchen... 

and gumdrop wreath.

The hubs favorite... our tree.

Such warmth it brings to our home, I'm always sad to take it down when the season is over.

It's filled with meaningful ornaments. We put them on each year and talk about "we got this one on vacation here" or "Daryl & Shanna got this one on their honeymoon" or "this was J's first Christmas"... they are each so special to us.

Glittery garland on the mantel

{which we don't decorate because it just holds our TV}

Entry way table...

with a yarn wreath I never blogged about...

Thanks for stopping by...

hope you are settling in for the holidays...

lots of time with friends and family...

special memories and snuggles.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tradition

One of my very favorite Christmas Traditions is decorating a gingerbread house at my parents...

we have done this every year since my brother and I were toddlers...

and it is a tradition that I can't wait to share with our own kids someday.

here are the past few years:

 2008

2009

 2010

This year was so nice because my moms sister and her 2 kids were visiting...

we had a blast decorating our HOME BAKED house that mom made.

That's right, no box kit for us this year.... we had a special house built with love.

{thanks mom}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas from our home to yours....

posts may be sporadic this week as we spend time with friends and family

who am I kidding

as I work my hiney off! 

 Pray for me... last minute shoppers can be brutal!