This Christmas season was different than most. I didn't have my tree up until Dec. 21st or decorated until the 22nd. I use decorated very loosely...as in maybe 20 ornaments total. I have ornaments I always put on my tree...that is until this year. It wasn't that I wasn't in the Christmas spirit, I was. It's just that to me Christmas is about so much more than the perfect tree, decked halls, and stockings overflowing with gifts. It's all about celebrating Christ's birth with those I love most...Brian, Karsten, and my parents....sadly my brother couldn't make it to TX this year because of job responsibilities. We missed you bratty!
Out of 5 Christmas rubbermaid boxes I maybe used a total of 2 to decorate the house. After a creatively busy Fall I just wanted to keep things simple. My favorite decorations with little to no fluff. I plan on going through each and every rubbermaid in the next week and getting rid of a lot of stuff I just don't have an attachment to. Don't we all have stuff that we put out because we have it...not because we love it?
My nativity bought by my Mom in Bethlehem sat on the table in our entry way under the crosses that are always there.
my favorite thing ever...catching Christmas tree bokeh!
Everyone had a stocking...I even bought my parent's one each, the cowboy boot is my Mom's...too cute!
fresh flowers
our Christmas card from last year and this year (framed) and a JOY that I didn't sell
an old wire tree that I bought several years ago in St. Charles, MO...it's perfect for old glass ornaments and was probably my favorite decoration this year. I'm going to be looking for more ornaments to add next year and an old vintage star.
My parent's arrived at our house late Saturday the 22nd. Dad enjoyed a few rounds of golf and Mom cooked and enjoyed time with Karsten.
The night before Christmas we began the tradition of assembling the toys to go under the tree! My parents were reminiscing about the times they stayed up doing the same for my brother and I.
This was Karsten's "big" gift...oh, that we may always only have to spend $35 for his "big gift".
His eyes lit up the next morning when he saw it and he played with it immediately...and off and on for the rest of the day. Between the race track and Elmo's he was beside himself!
baby Elmo had breakfast with us..
and after breakfast he noticed that his stocking held a bigger Elmo (which he has slept with every night since Cmas)
I truly think that his favorite gift was his Elmo backpack. He immediately knew what it was, wanted us to put it on, and walked to the front door. He was ready to somewhere with his backpack. I love that he loves it, but man does it make him look big!
he also received lots of books...the poor kid doesn't have a chance...his Momma is a book lover and teacher at heart!
He began to get the hang of choosing a gift and opening it...although still on 12/28 there are 3 wrapped gifts under the tree with his name. He's just like me....likes to stretch Cmas out!
oh, how I wish this photo weren't blurry...but I still love it so much. Karsten was so happy and moving around so much on Christmas that this photo pretty much sums his day up....happy and blurry!
Karsten's first Texas A&M tshirt...along with the Aggie war hymn sung by Brian!
After opening gifts, taking a nap, opening more gifts, and playing, Karsten proudly wore his backpack to the backyard where he moved soil from one pot to the other pot.
On Christmas night we went to my aunt and uncle's house for dinner and hang out time. Michael and Emily did a great job keeping Karsten entertained.
Karsten loves their puppy, Penny, who is so sweet and calm.
Then Karsten, Michael, and my Aunt Sherry watched The Snowman movie on youtube
We had such a Merry Christmas. I received Project Life Baby Edition and albums and page protectors for my 2013 PL album. It's all I wanted...well that and cowboy boots, but I'll need to save my money for those. We refused to go into debt over Christmas and we stuck to our guns...keeping Christmas simple is really the best way.
