We love Christmas. But then again (other than the Grinch of course), who doesn't?? It's the most wonderful time of the year, and we've spent daaaaays decking the halls of our new house!
Our beautiful RED tree! I've always had a red Christmas tree, not sure why (probably because it was the 80's), but apparently next year I've been outvoted by my husband and kids who would like to see either white or blue Christmas tree lights. I think red is unique, but I guess we'll see what next year brings...
My mom helped me with my mantle this year and I love how it turned out! With our family stockings (of which I had the ingenious foresight to buy an extra one three years ago, ((just in case,)) so Baby Girl is taken care of next year...Phew!) lined up along the fireplace, with the fire is going it is a very cozy scene!
The top of the piano is always so hard for me because it gets cluttered, but I like how it too, turned out.
By far Leah's favorite part of our "Christmas House" is our Nativity table. We put as many of our Nativities as would fit on top of the table and she loves to pull the step stool over and play with them. She likes to take just the Baby Jesus and Mary figurines and put them in her backpack-- so she has a backpack full of Virgin Marys and Baby Jesus' that I have to put back every night when she's in bed.
Even the kitchen halls got decked!
We left our cool staircase behind in North Carolina-- where we usually lined up all of our Christmas story books. Thanks to some quick thinking by Lucy, she decided all we needed to do was buy a cute Christmas basket and put the books in there instead. Done!
I love standing in my kitchen and looking into the living room at night, when all the lights are on and the fireplace is going, as it's a very festive Christmas scene.
Even our house got lights this year, thanks to Jon! It was his first experience hanging lights, and I'm not sure what he thought of it... He just did the garage and around the house, the front windows, and the front door. Maybe next year he'll try some trees, and I'm pretty sure the kids have about a million suggestions for him too.
We've also been making all kinds of Christmas treats! Lucy had requested Butter Beer for her birthday party, which I didn't get around to making that night with everything else going on. So Sunday during the Christmas Devotional I had her help me whip up the delicious brew and we drank it as we listened to the messages.
We also made some eggnog bread which is so AMAZING and deliciously moist. I tried the recipe last year from Pinterest and I think it's earned its way into a new family tradition. I usually save and freeze a couple of loaves for Christmas morning, otherwise they'd be gobbled up by the next day!
Zachary is still my little artist. He can sit and draw his masterpieces for hours. Recently he made this beautiful Christmas tree ornament for his teacher. It was SO detailed-- you can see he literally drew and colored a thousand tiny ornaments. I was hoping he'd give it to me instead of his grumpy teacher (ha ha), but he promised to make me another one!
Zach posing with a craft he made during "Project Wild," which both of my kids LOVE at their new school. Every month or so their class gets a day devoted to learning about just animals and endangered species taught by wildlife experts who come in and do all kinds of crafts with them. It's always a super fun day-- and Zach is SO relieved he doesn't have to do math!
Hey baby!! This little girl is growing and really, really moving. She's nuts. This belly shot is at 32 weeks and even the maternity clothes are getting too tight. Sigh. We're getting closer and closer to finally meeting her NEXT MONTH though!
This past Thursday the Kneader's Bakery right by our house did a special Santa night where the kids could come meet Santa for free and have their famous french toast for dinner.
Leah wasn't scared at all-- but she'd wanted to wear her Christmas headband and it kept sliding off, so although she looks like she's covering her ears (I think that Santa thought she was scared of him) she's actually just trying to hold it up!
Santa told them to keep being good and to continue spreading Christmas cheer. Thanks Santa!
Mmmmm. French toast for dinner! This is seriously the best french toast ever-- cinnamon swirl bread, cinnamon syrup, fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
Unfortunately Jon had to work that night, but these three had a blast meeting Santa and getting Rudolph cookies to boot, plus I didn't have to cook dinner!
Downtown Parker (Mainstreet right by where we live) is decorated so beautifully!! The lights in the park are just gorgeous. Leah calls it "Christmas Town" every time we drive through. I think we need to do another carriage ride around the park!
This Saturday a very brave single mom (me) and her three children ventured downtown to attend the Parker Christmas Parade. There were carolers, and free hot chocolate in the park beforehand so we were sure to get there a few minutes early!
It was a very cold, very snowy morning to be out and about, and Leah was fighting a pretty yucky cough, but they'd been looking forward to the parade all week and I couldn't bear to make them all stay home since Jon was working. We bundled up pretty well and everyone seemed to keep warm enough!
There were lots of horses and carriages and several school marching bands, but not much candy which of course, disappointed the kids.
Everybody's favorite was the Frozen themed entry, with Elsa and Anna princesses on horses, and this cute little Olaf costume on top of a Shetland pony. I think Leah has something new to add to her Christmas list this year-- and it involved this little "baby horsie."
Everybody was looking so good a few Sundays ago all ready for church I just had to take their pictures!
Am I lucky or what?!?
Hopefully this plethora of holiday cheer keeps up as we count down the next 11 days!!
