Christmas Recap.

A little late but whew we are barely starting to catch up from all the Christmas craziness and our relaxing days off from work. It was amazing.

My family and I have always celebrated Christmas Eve with dinner and opening presents at night. We always did this when I was little! Christmas Day was always reserved to use and play with all of our new toys and I loved it. I have so many fond memories of those days that I always look back on around this time of the year every year. I remember they would send us to "hide" and they would  put out all our gifts then ring bells and say Santa had come. My sister and I (before my brother was born) would be so excited and run to wherever the presents were. Now, with Jack and I, we wanted to keep that tradition going along with his family tradition which is brunch and gift opening Christmas Day. We hosted dinner at our house Eve day and opened all of the presents we got for the kids and Jack's and mine. Elliot was already sleeping so we avoided him freaking out by all the yelling and screaming. We sent them upstairs while we put all the gifts under the tree then rang the bells and Santa was there! It was so much fun to see their little faces when they saw them and opened everything, it brought so much happiness and joy to my heart.

I was having so much fun and consequently, didn't take any pics of all the action. I took a few of the little stations I set up for the family.

We saved all of Button's gifts for the next day to be able to keep a little bit of both traditions and starting our own with our little family. After an eventful and fun night, we were up not so early the next day and headed to the living room where he opened up gifts, by that I mean us starting to tear the paper till he sort of got the hang of it himself, not really, we opened them for him which was so much fun! Haha.

This, THIS right here makes my heart melt. This is the morning I had been waiting for my whole life! And many more to come. I think Jack and I were more excited than Elliot to see what Santa had brought him but we were wrong, he was excited too!

How did all of this come from this tree mama? 

I guess they're all mine. That Santa sure is nice.

They are? Yay!

Now, which one's first.

Maybe this one.

Santa didn't forget my hubby and brought him a membership to the Dollar Shave Club (which I had no idea

about until I read Jessica Garvin's post a while back then again a couple of weeks ago!) I must say, best decision ever, Jack loved it! I'm even thinking about signing myself up ;) He also got a book by his

favorite author Stephen King and a watch case for all his watches he has laying around in the closet.

Needless to say, he was a happy camper.

Elliot loved his little motorcycle his aunt got him! He presses all the buttons and rocks back and forth when he's on it. So cute.

I hope that all of you had the best Christmas!! Although it makes me a little sad that the Holidays are over, we are ready for what's to come with the new year. We are so blessed and filled with happiness that our hearts are content. We are so looking forward to next Christmas already as we know that Elliot will be able to enjoy and know what's going on a lot more and I cannot wait for that!

Now let's get all those extra pounds from all the yummy food off! New Year's resolution for sure! :)

Christmas Decor Part 2.

We are having the best time decorating the house for us and in preparation for having family over for Christmas & New Year's. I could decorate the closet if I could but then I would want to buy even more stuff and I think Jack is over my spending on everything Christmas. How fun is it though? I never thought I would love it this much. Jack and I always talked about it "When we have our house we will do this and that" and now we can! Guess who has been taking full advantage of that?

With that said, this weekend was full of shopping (oops!) for decorations and we even got some gifts out of the way. I love love love shopping for all the little ones in our family and would buy them the world if we could! Now we have a little of our very own and trust me, I would spend my whole pay check on him! Jack, close your eyes on this sentence. 

I am almost, aaalmost done and I couldn't be happier with how it's turning out. I made this garland (all while listening to Christmas music) with the silver glitter tape I got for one dollar at Target and some yarn to keep things in the theme. I taped them folding them over the yarn then cut them into different types of flags. Glitter tape, that's all I have to say.



I knew I wanted fresh spruce and went to Home Depot. I saw bundles for like fourteen bucks then saw a cart full of it outside of the tent where they sell the Christmas trees. Jack asked if they were selling the clippings and they told him they were free ninety-nine. Mama went to town and I'm still going back for more! You guys weren't lying. It smells amazing. It really makes the mantel pop.

I added this garland to the tree that I made with silver letters I got at Target for one dollar as well and used a needle and white thread to sew through them. 

Jack and I have been looking for.e.ver for a napkin holder for everyday use. I swear we have been to every store and never found one we liked or one at all. Who knew these things were not as common as I thought? Then on a trip to Target, we had the greatest idea to use this little wooden tray along with a clear plastic tumbler for straws and napkins to keep on the table including my cute salt & pepper shakers I got years ago and was never able to display them.  

The table I kept simple once again, I added two extra red candles and tons of spruce in clear glass jars and mason jars. I got the elf hat napkin idea from Pinterest and they were super simple to make. I still want to add a red cranberry at the top for a backwards Santa hat. I want little stockings as silverware holders, another Pinterest idea and I thought it looked so cool and cute and cozy.

This wreath is the same one I've used for all the holidays just added some spruce, the bow, candy canes and some white yarn of course ;) It might look a little wild and may require some taming but I like it!

As I said, spruce everywhere!

We are having some major cold weather over here and Button is ready for it. 

Stay warm everyone! 

Check back for part 3 of these series ;)