Our Christmas...

 Santa came...

 The boys awoke to some nice surprises on Christmas morning.

 Nate is on a Disney Infinity kick and is collecting all of the characters...so he got quite a few of those for Christmas.

 Evan is our gourmet tea drinker.

He got a nifty little single cup tea-maker from Teavana for Christmas for his loose leaf teas.

 Nate was thrilled, as he FINALLY got an iPod Touch this year!

 Evan is our outdoorsy guy...he loves getting any kind of camping, fishing, outdoorsy kind-of stuff.

 A few more Disney Infinity sets.

 Our soon to be History major...got some historical books.

He devours history books.

I'd say it was a success!

We hope you had a Merry Christmas too!

Christmas With Our "Clan"...

 We celebrated Christmas with my side of the family last night.
We hosted at our house this year.
I cleaned and clean...cooked and cooked...baked and baked.
And it was a lot of fun in the end.
(My babes and me.)

 Ben and Jess...

 Raegan...

 Geeg and Papa...

 My sister's fam...

 My little family...

 My Evan and Papa...
Opening pressies!

 Geeg...opening her gifts!

 Kitty got a new ornament from Geeg and Papa!

 Natee chillin' in his chair...

 Relaxin' with the fam...

 More pressies...

Kitty and me after everyone went home.
I didn't post this one on my Facebook page with the others.
I thought kitty and I both looked rather..."chubby"...hehe!
Too many Christmas cookies I guess.
Kitty thinks it's just the angle of the camera...yeah, yeah...that's it.
It's ok...after the New Year...it's back to the diet and gym...we'll get those 15 pounds off!
We hope you have a very Merry CHRISTmas Eve tonight!

Cookie Baking Day At Geeg & Papa's...

 We had our annual Cookie Baking Day again this year at Geeg and Papa's house.

It's mostly for the cousins.

The adults just hang out, eat, chat, and supervise.

 Honestly, the "kids" are getting older now...and I honestly think they more enjoy just being together than decorating cookies.

 But some cookies did get baked none the less.

 The cousins...and my sister and me.

 Baked, but not decorated yet...

 My mom is a major "crafter".

 So my sister and I made some ornaments.

 Crafty sisters!

 Another ornament we made...

Shhh, don't tell the hubs and papa I took this picture when they weren't looking!

Haha!

What annual traditions do you have?

Tree Numero Dos!

 So, after work on Friday afternoon...

We took "ALL" of the equipment out of the room.

 ...and...

 Transformed it back into a formal living room!

Hurray!

We set up our second Christmas tree.

So now we can enjoy one in the family room and one in the living room!

The cat is in heaven.  

Now he has one to sleep under on both levels.

I have to say, I'm quite proud of him...he hasn't tried to climb or do any major damage at all this year (knock on wood).

We are hosting the family on Monday for Christmas.

We'll have our usual munchies, desserts...food galore!
Games, music, movies, and lots of chatter!

It's always so much fun!

What are your holiday plans this year?

Be safe and have fun!

Merry CHRISTmas!

Deck The Halls...Fa-La-La-La-La...La-La-La-La...

 We got the house all decorated (mostly, more on that)...

I got these cute little jars at the Dollar Store, perfect for Christmas candy!

I put some thin mints, peppermint sticks, and peanut brittle in them!

 Got this cute little glass vase there as well...perfect for candy canes!

 Kitty has been a good boy this year.

He hasn't tried to climb the tree...yet.

And he hasn't carried off any candy canes yet either.

 He has the cutest routine.

Each night, he lays on his stocking under the tree...and stares at the Baby Jesus in the manger!

It is just precious!

 The stockings were hung...on the door with care...

(I wish I had a fireplace!)

 I got this "Pinterest-y" idea...

I had all of these little Christmas Carols that my dad had given me years ago...

So I strung them together to make a banner!

 I hung some ornaments with ribbons and candy canes along the patio curtain rod.

I am NOT the best DIY-er or decorator, but I do my best.

 The boys did a great job decorating the tree in the family room!

 My Christmas boxes and wooden tree mom and dad made...

 Some other decor...

I was saying to my mom, that I think she has made or given me the majority of my Christmas decorations over the last 20 years I've been married!

 I love this HOPE plaque and JOY bottles she made!

 I put my usual swags and reindeer in the windows...and added some hanging ornaments and candy canes as well this year!

 I (((heart))) snowmen!

 More decor in the entryway...

 The coffee table...

 End tables...

I have one more major thing to get done.

We are hosting the family Christmas get-together this year...so...

I am clearing out the daycare room and returning it to its living room state!

We'll be putting a second tree in the living room as well!

I'm super excited about that!

Well that it for now!

I hope you're having fun "Decking your Halls" as well!

Merry Christmas!