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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

So Christmas is really next week already, huh?

How come every year in the Fall I am all "Ohhhh I can't wait for Christmas and a tree and family, blah blah blah" and then all the sudden I am like "What, it's already Christmas? I still have shopping to do, lists to make, wrapping to get done, cooking to do, decorations to put out, lights to drive by to show the kids and cards to write!" Ugh. Is it just me or does this seem to happen every single year no matter how much I think about everything ahead of time.

My blog is looking much more festive than my house these days. We have 4 huge bins of decorations but for some reason once it's all spread out in the house it doesn't seem like much. Some day we will have that house, you know the one with every nook and cranny filled with red and green stuff. Someday.

Anyway, here's a few of my favorite things.

This is our Nativity Scene.
I love it
!
My mom gave us a new section for Christmas every year the past few years...definitely my favorite.

I don't know why I like these blocks so much but I do. They have something for 6 different holidays on each of the sides. I got them out of a magazine...you know the ones that are full of stuff you don't need until you see it, then you have to have it. Yeah, one of those.

We don't have a fireplace (insert sad face here) so a couple years ago I bought this stocking hanger. It's surprisingly holding up pretty well considering kids are hanging on it all day.

And last but not least, the tree. I always wanted to get a real tree after having kids because I had this fabulous vision of the whole family going out to the tree farm, drinking hot cocoa, finding the perfect tree and cutting it down. You know, Griswold style. Except not exactly. Anyway the past 2 years we ended up driving a mile down the road to the hardware store and picking up an okay tree. I know, right? Lame. This year we finally got to the tree farm and found a beautiful tree.

Matt and Alexa pretty much decorated the whole thing themselves. They were beyond adorable. However I realized two things. One, we need way more decorations now that we have such a big full tree. Two, it takes all I have to not take everything off and do it my own way. They did a great job, but I am more of a symmetrical planned out bulb placer and they are more of a grab one and put it somewhere. There's one spot that has about 10 ornaments in a square foot section, bless Alexa's heart...she loved it.

Only downfall...needles all over my house!
But so worth it. :)

26 comments:

Carma Sez said...

your tree is incredibly symmetrical - nice choice!! the nativity scene is a work of art - in its contemporary simplicity (if there is such a word combo)

Our "faux" tree even manages to shed some needles...

Brianne said...

Your tree looks great!! And you are a brave mama with a real tree! I always had one growing up but can not even think how stressed I would be with all those needles on my floor! I would be constantly vacuuming!!

Bethany said...

It looks symmetrical from my house. Does that help any? I really had to bite my tongue with out decorations this year too. Those paper angles that are falling apart from four years ago that the kids still love...yep, they're on there.

It is a beautiful tree and your decorations looks so good. I love that window behind the tree. You must have great light in your house. Your topper is beautiful and simple. Perfect!

Kim said...

Wow I LOVE your Christmas Tree, the real ones are so much prettier! They did a Great job. Love everything. Can't wait to have a home of my own to decorate!
Sigh, one day! :)

TheFitHousewife said...

Everything looks great! I love the stocking hangar and the nativity set...and of course, the blocks!
You are very brave letting your little ones decorate the tree! I am soooo not there yet! If I don't have symmetry, I will spontaniously combust!

mamma b said...

No fair you get a real tree. Can I come over and smell it? LOL

Kathryn said...

so pretty!! I know i cant believe christmas is next week!! CRAZY!! We have a fake tree, i dont think i could deal with the needles.. but I do love the smell of the trees!! The yankee candle Christmas Wreath smells JUST LIKE A Christmas tree when you burn it.. so at least i have the smell and no needles.. the tree looks so cute!

Jen said...

Laura, your post could be mine! I feel the same way...seems like so much stuff when you have store it, but not when it's hanging up. I LOVE your nativity! we have to get a new one and I think this might be the one. That stocking hanger is the coolest...where did you get that? we don't have a fireplace either (same sad face here). And I love your tree. Enjoy the smell, all I have is a Yankee Candle plug in. :)

He & Me + 3 said...

Beautiful. I love your stocking holder. We have the same star. I often wish I had a real tree...How fun, it looks great.

Liz Mays said...

It's beautiful!!! I remember the day when I thought I needed more ornaments. Now I am desperately hunting for a place to hang them all!

Pennie said...

Oh - I LOVE that nativity set! Your Christmas decorations are LOVELY, Laura - honestly! Festive all the way!

Mama (Heidi) said...

Oh my gosh I want your nativity, blocks and the stocking hanger. Though I'm quite sure that my girls would think it's a fantastic toy to hang on.

Simply Mel said...

Wow! Your home is beautifully decorated. So magical for the kids!

Carrie said...

Ooooh, if you haven't added sugar to your Christmas tree water yet, you should. It helps keep the needles from falling as much.
Beautiful decorations. The nativity set is so adorable.

Stephanie said...

Oh I love Willow Tree!!!! I want one of those soooo badly!

Everything looks so nice! How is your Dad doing?

Kelly said...

Adorable pictures! I love your stocking hanger! I have never seen anything like that before. :)

Sonya said...

I love that stocking holder. where on earth did you find that?? We don't have a fire place either and I usually just hang the stockings from our railing over the stairs.

Mrs. B said...

i love it! and i'm so super jealous of your real tree! alexa looks tickled pink to be decorating,too. how CUTE! now, would you come and decorate my house...? ;)

Mrs. B said...

ps. i have an award for ya over @ my blog. i was so excited about your decorations that i forgot to mention it in my first comment! :)

freckletree said...

I so know what you mean. It seems like I'm in the "Christmas Spirit" for a good nine months out of the year (at least). Yeah, one of those months prob isn't december.

Looking good mama!

Actuary Mom said...

I love your nativity scene!

Amanda said...

Great job!! I love it. Can you come decorate my house???

Be blessed-
Amanda

Jen R. said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog, Yours is really cute! My mom has that nativity, me and my siblings each got her a piece for christmas a couple years ago. Love it. Where in the midwest are you guys?

denise said...

beautiful tree! i can relate with so much of this...have written most of my cards but NO xmas shopping yet...going to make photo calendars for most of my family but it takes so much work to choose just the right shot for each month...i love the nativity scene, dense grouping of ornaments and your daughter putting the star on the tree...so lovely...i totally idealize the sipping hot cocoa cutting down one's own tree thing...we've done home depot the last couple years and this year got a $20 tree from ikea (they plant a new tree for every cut) but i miss the farm...SO worth all the needles...

denise said...

can't believe i forgot to add that i love the xmas decorated blog! i need to send people to this (not making any promises since i can't even keep up on my own blog...)

Michelle M. said...

Your house looks beautiful :) I love the tree, I think I need to give in next year and get a real tree.