Christmas Glory

Are you 'normal'?  Do you manage to shower every single day?  If not, then you and me...we'd get along.  Lazy PJ days have become a norm during homemade Christmas season.   Maybe you don't suffer from this disease known as bloggingitis.  Chances are, if you're reading this, you do. That's me today, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. {if you haven't noticed I blog several at once and schedule them to post at later dates}.  At least my bed was made--thanks to Curt.  And this is a very justifiable disease as I try to right a wrong by documenting our family's happenings since historically, I stink at scrapbooking.

We are all decked out and ready for Christmas.  Curt had all five of our huge bins down from the rafters in the garage and in the house ready for me when I returned home from a movie with the kids on Saturday.  Trying to tell me something?  Probably not...just one step ahead of me with his little service to save my back from lifting.  Thank you. We had our ceremonious twice yearly (once to put up, once to take down) 20 foot climb up the ladder to adorn the top of the turret outside with lights.  My {afraid of heights} Curt even got on the roof for the 2nd year in a row to put them around the cupola.  I handle the 20 footer though.  This year, Bray even pitched in.

The stockings are hung---and there's not room for even one more.  Good thing.  

We even brought some snowflakes back from Utah last year to hang in our windows 

(the kids wish they were real--I'm glad they're not.  hehehe)

My favorite nativity is out (just displaying one this year...simplicity.  But if anyone has spotted a wonderful pewter set, please tell me where!  I'm on a hunt...)  

The lighted garland is dressing up the stairs (and half the lights are out & waiting to be fixed which seriously--who has time for that?)

My dining room tablescape is done.  I don't have to mention how important that element is.

And the tree, in all of its fake glory {came complete with lights}  is  b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l  this year.  (I'm partial).

I relented and let the kids go for it--only directing them a little bit (okay, a lot) and I think they did a great job.  Lexie & Izzie were super excited to direct everyone else and stick random things in the tree.  

Everyone loves looking at their homemade ornaments and pictures from years' past.  Man, there's a lot of Brayden and none of the little girls... hmmm, I think I need to get on it already.

The 'Scooby candy cane' has become legend around our home.  He was our golden retriever...Santa brought him as a new pup when Brayden was just 4 years old.   Scooby liked to chew on the tree ornaments when we'd let him in at night.  He was even on a chain and could always find the candy cane ornament (wood) and somehow reach it to teeth on it.  We've kept it in remembrance of Scooby.  Brayden had the honor (with a tear in his eye) of placing it this year...silly, I know...but despite their inabilities to take care of that dog, they did love him.   

Viviana especially enjoyed being a part of this festivity because it means that everything at eye level is up for grabs.  And ornaments are just her size... no matter the shape- if she can hold it, then she can throw it and pretend it's a ball.  This bell is her favorite---good thing we have a dozen or so.

I placed the ribbon and planted the star and my spruce candle is on its way...you know, to make everything smell all nice & Christmasy with my gorgeous Costco pre-lit tree.

And new for this year?  Darling letter blocks mod podged with kids pictures.  I've always had blocks hanging from the tree...but saw this blog post and decided to copy.  It saved me from doing 3" silhouettes of the kids and framing them to hang this year.  I'm running out of time with my mongo list.  

I covered each side of the block with scrap paper and skipped the diamond glaze part. Mod podge was good enough for me!  You could add words & paste them to each side and get real creative!  I still need a 'V' and two more 'M's to finish our initial ornaments, but it was fun, easy & free.  Great combination.  

Homemade ornaments are the best.