Getting Ready For Christmas

Getting ready for Christmas this year was a little bit more work the usual. You know when you get in a new place it always takes a little extra time to figure out where you want things to go and how they should look. At times I missed my old house and where everything went. I came to find out that all my stuff looked so small in our new place and had to buy a few more things to fill it up. One of our big purchases was this 12 foot Christmas tree and as you can see there is still plenty of room before you reach the ceiling. Sorry but sometimes I feel like I live in a gymnasium. We had fun decorating the tree, the kids thought it was funny that dad took part of the tree down for us to decorate and then put it back and we decorated the bottom part. I'm really luck to have a husband so tall to be able to do that kind of stuff. Anyways we had a blast with it and I think it turned out pretty good, maybe I can buy a few more decorations when they go on sale for next year.

(Please don't mind the broken ceiling fan, it went on the fritz about a month ago and we have to rent a special ladder because of the high ceilings. Just another project on the list.)

Since I have a lot of railing, we put some very pretty garland with pine cones and berries along it. Next year I'll add some lights to go with it. I put my mom in charge of the railing since she does such a great job. Thanks mom!


My New Fireplace
Well almost new, at least the mantle anyway. The mantle before was just a piece of drywall that stuck out of the wall, I'm sorry but that wouldn't do. So I asked my oh so sweet husband to make me a new mantle. He picked out the molding and routered the wood while his brother made all the awesome cuts. Which I have to say matches up perfectly, so it looks amazing. They both did a great job and I love it so much. I then painted it out white and it looks great next to our new wall color which by the way sucked to paint. Now I'm just waiting for my curtains to come in and then the family room will be pretty much finished for now. This new house is really starting to feel like our home.

Mariah's Beautiful Tree
Kenzie's Beautiful Tree
(I think next year I need to get them a little bit bigger tree to hold all their ornaments)
Mason is sharing a room with Mariah right now while my parents are here so next year we'll start with a tree for him.


A Gingerbread house or maybe not!

I have always heard how easy making a gingerbread house is but I have to say I highly disagree. I brought this home from my December Bunko night and the girls couldn't wait to put it together. So finally Sunday we gave it a try and it was a lot harder the I thought. The box had everything but I guess our family just isn't skilled enough to do this sort of thing.

We did our best but the roof just wouldn't stay on, so we decorated it with out a roof. The kids call it the gingerbread church, I have no clue why but its a church.

The final result, I know it sucks but come on we made it with our own hands!