it's still christmas right?

well, hey! i know we're already halfway through january and all, but who doesn't like to extend the holidays a little?  and besides, all my decorations are STILL up!  so it still feels like christmas?

we had a blast this christmas.  my parents, brother and natalia, a friend of theirs from ecuador, came down to celebrate with us.  everyone received wonderful gifts and some in the family some not so fun gifts.  (you know the kind that involves puking your guts out for a day or two.) but we survived and enjoyed ourselves in spite of 5 out of the 8 of us getting sick. we bought and opened gifts, ate candy, had yummy turkey and all the fixings, watched a ton of movies, went to some fun places (pics to follow later.), and had a grand old time just spending time together.

grace got her bell from santa's sleigh this year.  

and grandpa got a really fun toy too!

what makes a 12 year old movie buff more excited than a new blue ray?  two new blue rays! santa, oh how we love thee.

grace really wanted to get EVERYONE in the family a gift. including brady. even if the toy is almost as big as he is!

 this barbie was uber special because it is an older version, so the elves had to break out the mold from storage to make it just for grace.  she almost thought she'd have to wait til next year. santa you rock dude!

for the sewing buff. two super cute purple bears to make herself.

 

 

grace, already using one of her gifts.  anyone for play-doh cake?? yum.

and of course it wouldn't be christmas without a BIG OL PILE of trash!

a little christmas cheer

grace had her fun polar express day at school.  jammies and cocoa in class. what more could a 1st grader ask for? 

and as a mom i cannot thank the teacher enough for not using the full sized box for the train cars.  mrs. mcgrath you rock! (and for the record, the smoke stack was entirely her idea. little creative bugger.)

 looking for the perfect tree.  

we were so excited that it was chilly the night we went christmas tree shopping!  it made for a definitely festive trip.

  the annual christmas concert. (thank goodness there was only one.)

 visit to the big guy in the red suit.

 sarah the sullen pre-teen.

 unfortunately for my kids, the only way they will ever see snow in south florida is when we visit the snow globe in the mall.

construction zone: hard hat required

another reason we have been busy these past few weeks; i had a great idea to start doing gracie's room!  of course 2 weeks before christmas is THE best time for this project don't ya know?!?!

while getting high off paint fumes lovingly painting a gorgeous butter yellow on her walls i came out for a breather and stumbled upon this sign. and seriously, earlier in the day she asked me to glue the stick onto the paper and i didn't even pay attention to the sign. focused? yeah, let's go with that.

 as soon as it is even close to being done, i'll post some pictures.  but she does have a great dress up station courtesy of a couple of ikea expedit bookcases and a shower curtain rod.  and don't you worry your pretty little heads about that lovely white bookcase being unloved. it has already been put to good use this year.

our stockings were hung on the bookcase with care....

i love that it gave me an extra surface to decorate this year.  had to find a place to display all these great gifts and thrift store finds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

and the command adhesive hooks held just fine for santa!

christmas home tour 2010

i've always had fun perusing all of those fantastic blogs out there with all of the fabulous christmas decorations in everyone else's houses.  this year i wanted to finally participate.  now, having said that, my house looks like charlie brown christmas compared to everyone else's but, i. don't. care.  we enjoy it and that is all that matters.  so from our home to yours: enjoy and merry christmas!

(just so you know, some of this is my doing and some is thanks to my good friend, jennie, who has a knack for all things crafty and decorating! thanks girlfriend!)

i may not have one of those ginormous christmas villages, but i love how it fits on top of the piano.  my little one adores it and loves to play with the little people in it. 

  my favorite piece in the house: the main nativity.  and seriously, i got it at the dollar store! i have always wanted one of those really nice expensive lladro porcelain set ups, but i think i like my $8 ceramic one much better.

   

 

 mary's not bad looking for a buck right?

                            

 another nativity.  a little cheesy with the quilt batting, but hey! i used what i had on hand!

 this little gem of a nativity was the first one i bought when we were first married.  i found it in a little candy shop in oxford, ms where my parents live.

 

   these next two are displayed in the family room. i definitely have to say i love them the most, because after everyone is in bed i like to sit with some hot cocoa and watch a cheesy hallmark christmas movie with all the lights, except these, turned off.  

 we love books, so why not display some christmas ones during the holidays?

 i'm not a huge fan of the country motif anymore, but i still love me this cute little snowman family i found at a craft fair years ago.  i will have you know all the pine cones are either from our yard or collected throughout the years, no store bought ones here! (but if you have that kind i won't judge.....too harshly ;) ) 

 this mug is one of my favorites.  it was made by my grandmother when i was a child and mrs. claus is on the opposite side.  (should have snapped a shot of her too.)

merry christmas!

if you want to see the other 5 bajillion other posts go here.