Our Very Merry Christmas | 2012

I like to think that everyone enjoyed their Christmas this year. While it was the first without my grandpa - and that was hard - we still were blessed to have my grandma join us again for Christmas morning. As per usual, Mom made fab food and I provided the OJ. ;) Okay, I did make breakfast burritos.

If you remember last year - we had a new puppy for Christmas (well, we got her the week before). She's now a year old and still so cute. She's the lighter one and Ellis is her sister (not real sisters, but you know what I mean).

To add to the fun, my parents brought along their new puppies!! Jack B (as in Jack Bauer, as in 24) and Zoey are about 8 weeks old and are lab mixes.

They went in for Zoey - and came out with Jack, too. Jack was the runt of the litter, and they couldn't pass him up!

All-in-all, people were spoiled, loved, and filled with Joy. Which makes for a pretty perfect Christmas.

Oh Christmas Tree... You bring me Joy!

It took us weeks... and honestly, we still aren't done. But at least the tree is standing. Thank gosh for pre-lit trees. And who cares if the back of the tree is as nekkid as a baby on his birthday.

I did purchase a FEW new ornaments this year, most the non-breakable balks. They were from Walmart for less than $3. I wanted to ensure I had enough White, Green, Red and Silver. My colors for this year.

I love the glow of my Christmas tree. It's like a warm cup of cocoa.

My little man helped me take these photos. And then proceeded to show me a magic trick. That kid has some talent! ;)

Spreading some Holiday Cheer

While I enjoyed Thanksgiving, I am glad to be moving on. Although, December is a crazy month for us. Do you have one of those months in your family?

Nic's birthday is on Sunday, mine is on Monday, Marcos' is on the 12th, our 18th wedding anniversary is on the 16th, then there is the family Christmas Eve (what I like to call Christmas Adam) on the 22nd, the real Christmas Eve on the 24th and then Christmas Day on the 25th. Of course, then there is my aunt's anniversary on the 21st and my grandparent's on the 22nd (missing you, grandpa!). Then throw in wrapping parties, cookie exchanges, my neighbor's daughter's bridal shower and wedding - yikes!

Whew. I am just glad I remembered all of that.
With all of that said, I am not ready to put the tree up yet. For several reasons. The first is that Nic's having a birthday party on Saturday, here at the house. I want to celebrate his special day before we celebrate Christmas! ;) Second, I *just* completed my formals... why would I want to move things around now? I need at least a week of good, clean, fun. ;)

However, that doesn't mean I can't get my mantel and bookcases all dolled up.

I pretty much reused everything I had from years past. The Elf is new... and so is the reindeer glitter art, which was so easy and sits in a dollar store frame.

I printed off a picture of a reindeer from Google, traced it and filled it in with Elmer's glue and then sprinkled red glitter all over it. The tree art on the right is a gift bag from the dollar store... I just cut out the front and put it in the frame. Here are some posts about easy, cheap, Christmas crafts.

Even my couch is getting in the spirit. For now, anyway. This sweetie will have to move and make room for our faux evergreen come next week. I love my new pillow case from IKEA. Mr. and Mrs. Clause... and some random kids/elves/hired help. Did the Clause's ever have kids, do you know?!

That's it for now... just a little holiday cheer popping up here and there.
We are looking forward to two new holiday traditions we are starting; meeting our new Elf {on the shelf} and also our advent calendars! Yum, 25 days of chocolate. ;)

Do you  have any special holiday traditions?

Leftovers

It's family tradition to get together on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to enjoy leftovers. But, really, they aren't leftovers. We just call it that, because we serve food that could be considered leftovers from Thanksgiving. It's another reason to get together with the whole family.

Of course, I had to take along my new camera to see what I could capture in the way of beautiful people. In the shots below, you will see cousins, second cousins, third cousins... and aunts and uncles, who are grandmas and grandpas.

You get the idea.

First up, my two nephews (okay, really second cousins), Ben and Austin. Heart breakers.

My cousin Chell with our other cousin's baby, Rose Grace (aka Gracie)

Chell's husband, Darryl.

Proof that they weren't actually leftovers. A new turkey!

My Uncle Mark with his grand-daughter Gracie.

My third cousin, Ryah

And her big sister, Selah

My Aunt Anita and my niece (okay, second cousin, but her grand-daughter) Charlotte.

My nephew (er, second cousin) Evan

My cousin Chell and our second cousin Laurel

Third cousin Ryan and his grandma, our Aunt Barb

My Cousin Jonny's step-daughter, Lily (she's the big sister to Gracie)

And last, but never least, my daddy...

Isabel and Nic were with me, but tired of the darn camera in their face. They ducked. Often.

The weather was beautiful, the spirits were bright - we couldn't have asked for a better day to spend with our family.

Okay, now I am officially done with Thanksgiving. On to Christmas, people!