Christmas decorations

Over the weekend, I was able to finish decorating the inside of our house. Really it is mainly decorating our living room.

We put the tree up on Friday.

Then Saturday I set out to put up our knicknacks and other Christmas themed items. I started working after we got our new to us furniture set up.

I made the nativity scene the focal point of our mantle, as I do every year. I would love to one day have a larger one, but the one that I have is the first one that dear Hubby and I got when we were married.

On one end of the mantle, is a lighted Christmas tree that we have never been able to use because the light was stuck in the inside. Well this will be our 10th Christmas together and this is the first year we were able to get the light out and actually use the tree. I love it, as it reminds me of one that my Grandma had at her house. Since we do not have end tables anymore, I set all of my Santas on the other end of the mantle and I love how the grouping turned out.

I also put our wreath on our front door and switched out the artwork in our downstairs bathroom to a snowy scene artwork.
I love how festive our house looks. And I love how our living room looks with our new to us furniture and all the Christmas decorations!

Have you decorated your house yet? 

Do you have a favorite Christmas decoration? 

New to us furniture

A couple of months ago, Bill and I were talking and we decided that in early 2014 we were going to use some of our income tax return money to buy a new set of living room furniture as ours was showing it's age. It was Bill's before we met, and then has had to withstand kids! One of the cushions no longer zipped closed and has to be held together with safety pins, it was sagging a little, the foam cushions weren't as sturdy as they used to be, etc.

Fast forward to last week.  I received a text from my mom asking if we wanted their living room set as my parents had just bought a new set.  This question could not come at a better time. So of course I said YES!

This is what we had before: 

Well Saturday my brother loaded up the couch and love seat and brought them over to our house in his truck. And hubby and my brother took our old set out to our garage and brought the new set in.

And this is what we have now: 

We now have more seating and furniture in better condition! I think it looks a lot more put together. I feel so blessed that we received this generous gift.  Now we can use most of our tax money to pay down debt!

Have you been gifted anything recently?

How long have you had your living room furniture?  

Gratitude Sunday #6

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Life is so precious and I have been feeling overwhelmed with everything that is going on that often I am not taking the time to be grateful for what I do have and the good things in life.

Now is the time to change that.

I hope to come back here every Sunday and tell things that I am thankful for....

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This week I am grateful for: 

MY IN-LAWS-- They set up an activity for the kids to take part in, where they got to meet Santa and have some fun. We may not always see eye to eye and may live differently but I know that they love my kids. 

FOR THE COLLEGE GIRLS AT WORK--- Where I work, we have several work study students from a local university who work for us. They are all great to work with and a couple of them I have come to know very well over the last 2-3 years. We are getting ready to lose most of them because of graduation or school schedules, so I have been so blessed to be able to work with them. 

FOR WARM WEATHER FOR REBECCA'S FIRE DRILL-- Tuesday Rebecca's school had a fire drill during her gym class. Thankfully she took pants for gym and it was a little over 60 degrees outside. Perfect time for a school fire drill. 

FOR SECRET SANTA SHOPPING--- Rebecca was able to go secret Santa shopping at school and bought gifts for her brother, dad and I. I am grateful that she has this opportunity to make her own choices without my input.

FOR MY HUBBY--- I say this every week, but he does things every week that shows I made the right decision to marry him. Thursday I was elbows deep in cake making and it was lunch time and he went to get McDonald's for the boys and I so I wouldn't have to deal with making lunch in our tiny kitchen. Then he went on Saturday in the snow and bought me a broom since I broke ours and while he was out he got me a package of cordial cherries because he knows I like them and just because. I am so grateful he is my husband. 

FOR A SNOW DAY--- We had a snow day from school and work on Friday and we got to spend a nice family day together. This was a treat as usually Bill or I has to be at work, etc. 

FOR MY PARENTS--- They gave us "new to us" furniture since they bought new furniture. We are grateful for their generosity. 

What are you grateful for this week? 

Cakes, St. Nick, weather and putting up our Christmas tree

So I got all 10 of my cakes baked and frosted....took 8 of them into work with me yesterday and put them in the walk in cooler in case of bad weather today. Last night I frosted the last 2. Then I made peanut butter tarts to take in to my work party today......

Well don't you know that Mother Nature had other plans. Got a text this morning at 5:40 that school was closed today, meaning staff meeting was cancelled as well. Our surprise luncheon will now take place on Monday....Got an email that said that the St. Nick dinner (were the 10 cakes needed to be) was going to be decided around 2-3pm depending on weather. Most of the day we just had light snow showers, although there was a thin layer of ice this morning, which I believe is why they cancelled school. Got the call a little after 3 that they were postponing the St. Nick dinner for a week until next Friday, so I really hope that these cakes will freeze with little problem.

So instead of working and taking cakes into work, I got to spend the day at home with the whole family....as my husband was taking his last 2 vacation days of the year yesterday and today. We had a lovely day.

It started out with the kids finding some goodies in their shoes they left out for St. Nicholas last night. We have decided to start this tradition in order to incorporate this Saint into our Christmas celebrations. The kids each got a new ornament that represents their year, and Jacob and Rebecca got M&Ms too. Rebecca's ornament was a girl softball player, as this was her first year playing softball. Jacob got a batman ornament as he has gotten into the super heroes. Benjamin's ornament was a "Sofia the First" ornament, as that show keeps his absolute complete attention when it is on. He LOVES the show.

Rebecca was happy that we got to have a whole family lunch (I made frozen pizza and the kids had oranges).

After Benjamin went down for his nap, we moved the toys in the living room to another area of the downstairs to make room for the tree. Then Bill, Rebecca and Jacob got to work putting up our Christmas tree. There was a funny moment when Rebecca referred to the garland as "Garlic"...LOL

While they were putting the tree up, Rebecca requested to watch the "He-Man & She-Ra :Christmas Special " that I had bought a couple of years ago as a joke for Bill for Christmas. Then we watched "Miracle on 34th Street." while finishing up the decorating of the tree and putting the stuffed animals in front of the tree, to hopefully keep the kids (especially Ben) from taking ornaments off the tree.

After dinner, we watched Rudolph and then Frosty, as the snow continued to fall outside. Then we did the kids' advent calenders and read a Christmas story and the kids went to bed.

Overall, it was a very nice day.

Tomorrow I hope to get the rest of the house decorated on the inside at least. Not sure when we will get to decorate outside, as they are calling for really cold tomorrow, then more snow and ice on Sunday.

Have you put your Christmas tree up yet? 

Did you get any winter weather from Mother Nature today? 

I'll be in the kitchen....

For the next day or so, if you need me I will be in the kitchen.....

I have 10 cakes to make for my daughter's school's St. Nick dinner Friday night. And yes I volunteered to make them out of my own free will. It is an easy way for me to get volunteer hours and I really don't mind.

AND I have to make pecan tarts and peanut butter cup tarts for a surprise work party on Friday. My boss and I are throwing a surprise Christmas lunch for our staff during our regularly scheduled in-service time. I am in charge of desserts....

Yes I know that I am insane, but that is okay I guess.

So if you need me in the meantime...I am up to my elbows in flour, sugar and butter in the kitchen!

Have you done any baking lately? 

Meeting Santa 2013

On Sunday, we had the opportunity to go to my In-laws community and to go see Santa Claus. Every year, their community hosts a get together for the kids where they can do crafts and things and then see Santa. Well this year every time slot filled up in less than 3 hours. We are fortunate that my sister in law is on the community board of directors and signed the kids up early.

You first went into a building that was all decorated for Christmas and the kids met Frosty and Rudolph.

 They were able to do crafts and get some snacks while they waited. We also took a family photo on a sled.

Then we went on a sleigh ride to the other side of the park where we were to see Santa. The kids loved riding on the horse drawn carriage sleigh.

As we were walking up to see Santa, the kids were greeted by "Scotty Pine" the talking Christmas tree. They had it set up with video and a microphone where the adult could talk to the kids and interact with them while being completely hidden from view. He told the kids some knock knock jokes and even commented on Rebecca's kitty earmuffs!

Then it was time to see Santa. Rebecca told Santa what she wants for Christmas ( a princess tiara).

Jacob did not want to go near Santa, unless I was right next to him. He would NOT sit on Santa's lap for anything.

Benjamin didn't mind sitting on Santa's lap, but at the same time, he is very laid back about everything so I was not surprised.

After we left, we then took a carriage ride back to the first side of the park and we left to go to my in-laws house for dinner and to celebrate Rebecca's birthday with them.

Overall, it was a great day! I am so grateful that my sister in law wanted to do this for my kiddos. They had a great time and I am sure will remember it for a long time.

Have your kids been to see Santa yet? Do you take your kids to see Santa? 

Thanksgiving Recap 2013

On Thursday, we spent Thanksgiving morning at home watching the Macy's parade on TV. The kids LOVED it this year. Jacob and Rebecca loved seeing the balloons and the different floats. Jacob keeps talking about the different floats he recognized. LOL

In the afternoon, we went to my mom and dad's house for dinner. There were 14 of us there this year...our 5, my mom, my dad, my sister and brother who are still young enough to live at home, my brother, his wife, and their 3 kids. We had a great dinner cooked by my parents with a lot of good conversation and laughs. 

stuffing, green beans, corn casserole, turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, roll and peach wine! YUMMY! 

We also celebrated Rebecca's 7th birthday that day, and my niece Lacie's 9th birthday which was a couple of days before Thanksgiving. I made each of them their own cake....so we had birthday cake for dessert :)

We took a lot of family photos! 

Hubby and I during dinner! I love this photo of us! 

Benjamin LOVED his food! Especially the sweet potatoes!  

Birthday cousins! 

The 4 kids...we took almost 10 pics of us and these are just a few....My brother Josh (13), my sister Mary (17), Me, and my brother Joe (29). I am the oldest of the 4. 

The original family....Joe, Me, my dad, my mom, Josh and Mary.

My parents and the grandkids... (from left to right---Alex (6), Jacob (4), Ethan (2), my dad, Benjamin (1.5), my mom, Rebecca (7), and Lacie (9). I think this is the first picture they have ever taken with all the grandkids together in it. 

Overall, it was a great day! Good food, good company, and lot of love to go around! 

How was your Thanksgiving holiday?