I Want to Wish You A

We are settling into winter break and the kids are enjoying the few inches of snow that arrived yesterday.  I have a lot to do before Christmas.  I have not wrapped one gift and I have a sewing project that I have not even started!!! The house is clean and the baking is done so I am not stressing too much.  

Have a wonderful Christmas!!! 

Remembering Newtown Today

Today at 9:30 am I will take a moment of silence for the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting.  My continued prayers for the survivors.

Our Elf on the Shelf

This year we adopted an elf. His name is Steve.  Steve has done some funny things for the last couple of weeks and he sometimes leaves treats or crafts for the kids.  Last night Steve took liberties with the photo booth app.

Photo props courtesy of Living Locurto.

Trio of Wreaths

I thought that I was done decorating for Christmas, but I had a hard time passing on these 70% off wreaths and ribbon.  I love the look of wreaths on windows.  

Here is my inspiration from hi sugarplum!

For a little less than thirteen dollars I was able to recreate this look.  I love this little touch on this large window.  It is my favorite feature of the living room.  I recently replaced the  outdated cream roman shades with clean, white, non-fussy shades.  The ribbons are pulled through the top of the shade and tied into a bow on the wreath. No hardware required!

I am officially done decorating for the holidays!  

Now it is baking time... yummy!

Praying

I can not articulate my feelings about the Connecticut shootings.  I was thankful that my husband was off this weekend and that we could grieve together.  The only thing I can do is pray.  Pray without ceasing.  Pray for those precious families, pray for our teachers, pray for our schools, pray for safety, pray for a miracle.  I never imagined that the world would become this evil.  We need Jesus more than ever!  In my opinion that is the ultimate solution and until then I will pray. 

Comic Christmas Cards

2010

I love the holidays! It brings out the nutty in everyone, especially my brother Michael and his wife Amanda.  They love sporting ugly Christmas sweaters and sending "serious" Christmas cards to friends, family, and co-workers. Cooper is not left out and this year he is the star of their e-card.  I fear to think what they will do to my future niece or nephew.  Check out these comic cards of Christmas past and present.

2011

2012 print version

2012 e-version

So what do you think?  Are you funny or serious?  

Christmas Family Room

Our family room is the hub of the home and that is where our Christmas tree and stockings are located.  We like sitting on the couch and gazing at the tree. Doesn't everyone?  Our tree is an "everything goes" tree. There is little rhyme or reason, we are going for the eclectic look.  This year Rudolph got a snazzy collar and silver bell and looks right at home with the deer head prints.

I love the new fireplace tile!  We still have not moved the cable outlet hence the annoying cord. 

2011

2012

Here is my favorite ornament that my sister-in-law gave us last Christmas.

And this corner of the room got a little refresher.  The table needed repainted and I decided to use my Benjamin Moore sample that I had purchased for the cabinets.  I did not sand or prime and I used a brush, but surprisingly no brush strokes because I added some Flotrol (my new BFF) to the paint.  

Little black table

Little gray table

So that is my family room! Every Christmas my side of the family gathers here to celebrate and this room easily accommodates us all.  I am a little sad that we will be five short this Christmas. My sister and her family currently live in Malta as missionaries and they will be sorely missed!

Christmas Traditions

We love to visit the Children's Museum during their Jolly Days.  A sweet married couple always plays Santa and Mrs. Claus and we specifically go to see them.  All three kids visited Santa without trepidation, but Madeline would not tell him what she wanted.  She has told me what she wants us to buy and Santa can surprise her.  Wyatt asked for chapter books and Luke wants a train.  

I love that Madeline is so happy and Luke is like "Get me out of here!"

Although the kiddos love the Christmas activities they spent most if their time in the Hot Wheel exhibit.  We had to drag the kids out of there!

Madeline loves to draw and color more than any child I know.  She waited so patiently for her turn at this tracing station when a girl who had not patiently waited swooped in and sat down. Madeline was crushed.  I told her to tell the girl that it was her turn.  My shy girl said nothing, but the girl had heard me and moved on.  Teaching Madeline to stand up for herself will be hard because I have the same problem, but we are working on it!

 Here she is designing her car!  I am wondering now if something like this is available to purchase. She would love it!

We ended the evening with a trip through downtown and around the circle.  That is a tradition that I have done as a small child as I am sure every Indy does!  How can you not see the "largest" Christmas tree?!  Today we are baking our first batch of cookies.  What traditions are you partaking in this weekend?

Advent Calendar & "Snow Globe"

I loved this advent tree that I saw on Pinterest and wanted to make my own.  I scoured Jo Ann's for stars, but turned up empty.  I did find these mini tags and the perfect tree.  I numbered the tags 1-25 with a gold Sharpie and wrote the corresponding verses on the back.  We will remove the tags as we read the verses.  I love that the tree will still look cute when bare.  This little addition only cost ten dollars! 

I have also been obsessed with diy snow globes and when I saw Lindsey's post yesterday I knew what I wanted to do with my lantern.  For around five dollars I picked up three mini trees and some fake snow at Jo Ann's to make my version of a snow globe.