Thursday, December 31, 2015

Winding down the year ~ Christmas 2015

Hello, dear friends!


I trust you all enjoyed a very Merry Christmas and are about to enjoy a Happy New Year as well. I always love the winding down of the year, that magical week between Christmas and New Year. This year we are not celebrating Christmas at New Year so it feels a bit odd around here the last few days with Christmas being over "early." However, it seems like the perfect time to reflect on our first Christmas with Kate and third Christmas with Olivia. We did not have Christmas at home this year, we stayed in a lake house with all of my siblings and my Dad. It was a wonderful time! Anyway, I still wanted to capture what Christmas looks like in our home. 


Decorating the tree ~

Olivia had the time of her life getting to help with the tree this year



Helping daddy pull out all the decorations


We had so much fun admiring and exclaiming as we unwrapped each beautiful ornament ~ There is something very magical about seeing it all through the eyes of a two-year-old. Her delight and excitement was amazingly fun!


Kate pretty much just supervised for the evening ~ That's why she looks so serious in this picture. I swear she is the smiliest baby but she gets very serious as soon as a camera comes out


All ready for our special Christmas service at church ~

We had a Christmas Spectacular at our church this year and the girls got all dressed up!



Olivia is 2 1/2 now and Kate is 5 months (she looks a lot bigger)!

If you follow me on Instagram you can see photos of Olivia dressed up as a Christmas angel for her Sunday School program the week before. She did so well for a 2 year old!

The living room ~ 







This window collage was my big fall project. I may do a tutorial. I was inspired by Brenda over at Cozy Little House. Here's a link to her window.


I moved all the photos we have of our grandparents to one place and replaced their framed pictures around the house with the girls' photos.




I did a little woodland theme with two reindeer, a bird and squirrel Christmas ornaments that my Dad bought me last year. 
I always love pulling out my Santa sleigh every year. We never believed in Santa growing up but my Mom always decorated with Santa items and I intend to do the same!


I just keep the same presents wrapped in the sleigh and pack it away like this every year

The dining room ~



This year was the year I finally found a ceramic Christmas tree on an online garage sale site. I have had great luck with Facebook garage sale sites lately!  



My Dad gave me his old winter village this year. I had so much fun creating it!





My Christmas tree lot with all the extra trees he gave me. Love it!




I think the church is my favorite piece!

~*~

I like to decorate in as many places as possible around our home


Our Christmas cards graced the pantry this year 


Even the kitchen counters got a few decorations ~ A friend gave me this chateau. She gave me several more pieces I may use next year.


The Christmas measuring cups are also a gift from my Dad

Well, that's our home all gussied up for the holidays!


From our home to yours, may you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!


Love,