Christmas 2011

Christmas arrived right on time and we were ready! Kate had to work on Christmas Eve until 5 pm; so by the time she got off work, grabbed a bite to eat and got on the road she didn't arrive to our house until nearly 10 pm.  We were waiting up for her however and as is our tradition we all opened up a gift before bed. We have always purchased the kids pajamas to open on Christmas Eve. So the kids opened their PJ's and it wasn't long before we were all off to bed  to rest up for the big day!

The next morning, Kevin and I had to laugh when at 9 am we had already been up for over an hour and the kids were still sound asleep! At ages 15 and 21, gone are the days when the kids were up before dawn begging us to get up and open gifts!!

I prepared a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and cinnamon rolls which we sat and enjoyed before opening our stockings and gifts.

 

                             Here is Kevin and the kids with their stockings.

                      ...and ME and the kids with our stockings.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

My long time blog readers know that Kyle loves to golf. His Dad got him into golfing at the age of 3 and he has been playing since. He used to have a junior set of clubs, but has long since outgrown them. For quite a while now he has been sharing Kevin's set with him.

But no longer!! Santa brought Kyle his own clubs!...and let me tell you Kyle was one happy golfer. He can hardly wait to get out on the course and play.                                            

I don't have a pic of Kate with her gift from us..but this year she asked for a recipe binder with several of our family favorite recipes in it. She also asked for pots and pans. So that is exactly what we gave her! She wants to start cooking for her boyfriend Travis and herself.

Another tradition of ours is to go to the movies on Christmas Day. Here we all are, dressed and ready to go out.

After the movies we returned home to eat the dinner I had prepared early that day which consisted of a chicken tortilla casserole, Spanish rice and a salad. To end the day we went out looking at Christmas lights.

From my family to yours....Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Deck the Halls!

I had so much fun decorating the new house for Christmas this year...won't you come in and see?

This year I broke the Christmas village up into two separate towns. One in the entry and one on the stair landing.

Of all our decorations, I have to say the village is my favorite. I just love the little people and buildings that light up.

A close up of the stair case adorned with greenery, lights and red bows.

Each year in addition to our main tree, I put up these 3 little woodland trees. These trees are dedicated to my Mom. After my Mom passed away I inherited a lot of the Christmas decor that she had decorated with for many years. Dad wanted Dave and I to have the decorations to enjoy. These trees represent some of my Mom's favorite things. Acorns, birds, leaves and crosses. Most of the ornaments were hers, however I try to add a new bird each year.

The little gold bird under my Mom's picture was my new bird for last year...a gift from my Mother n Law, Jean

This year I found an ornament with both a bird AND two acorns! The white ornament above was purchased a few days ago at Walmart for a whopping $1.45. No I'm not kidding. Walmart has great ornaments!

My Mom started this angel collection for me a few years before she passed on. The three little gold angels playing instruments were my Moms and she bought them when her and Dad were newly weds!

Christmas decorations can be simple...this is a plate with a candle on it surrounded by pine cones.

 

I bought this centerpiece for our dining room table two years ago.

This nativity scene was my Moms.

The family room.

I LOVE the fireplace in this house. We light it almost every night this time of year. (except for last weekend when we had two days in the 80s!) It makes the room feel so cozy and comfortable.

The tree

More pics of the fireplace mantle.

I made the "Days until Christmas" tree 2 years ago. It's fun to watch the days count down until Christmas!

When the kids were very small my Mom started a Christmas collection for each of them. Kyle's collection is bears. Each Thanksgiving she would give them a new figurine to unwrap for their collections.

Kyle's bears

...and Kate's snowmen.

Someday these cute snowmen will be in Kate's house.

 

The kitchen nook

I just love this "advent sleigh" I bought it a couple of years ago at a scrap book store. It was made by one of the ladies who worked there.

Each day, Kyle finds a surprise inside the box of the day. On day 1 he got a piece of candy and yesterday he got a break from doing a chore. It's been a fun tradition for us to do an advent calendar over the years.

This Santa Claus collection was my Mom's...she just loved these jolly old fellows!

This Santa Claus was made by a family friend's mother and grandmother who died not too long ago. Every time I see his cute little face and set him out at Christmas time I think of sweet Dorothy.

Here are a few pieces of "Santa art" that I hung next to the Santa Claus collection. My Mom painted the little Santa painting.

I made this piece of art a few years back.

I love this "Joy" mobile that I bought at a craft boutique last year.

More Santa art...I love this Vintage Santa.

Thank you for touring our home! May you and yours have a Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years!