December & Christmas

I love all things Christmas.

From the decorations, the shopping, the wrapping, the parties at school, stocking stuffers, delivering trays of goodies, muddy buddies, all the way to the unwrapping.

This post is loaded with pictures. Sorry. It's just so fun. I didn't even get all the pictures I wanted. Like the ones of the trays of goodies brought to us. Cookies can be so pretty.

Here is the reindeer Drew made at school. I adore it.

Decorations for the gingerbread houses.

Red, green and white makes me happy.

Candy makes my kids happy.

Gingerbread houses. Fun to make, especially with friends who feel like family.

I really love all things Santa. I mean really love.

Love my nativity set. But love even more the spiritual feeling I have for an entire month. I could honestly cry at any given moment during Christmas. I think it's because I'm so aware of the real meaning of Christmas, and all that it means for my family.

Um, yeah, love this tree. I talked Darin into a live one this year. I love it. I love the smell of pine all over my hands when I decorate it. I love the white lights. I love the matching ornaments. I love my other tree, the one with colored lights and kid ornaments that makes me feel melancholy.

I love giving gifts, and I love being surprised by them as well!

I got a lot of cool stuff, here are a few.

Silicone lids that fit any bowl. They really work.

I got the Pioneer Woman cookbook. To die for.

Here is a fun gift I found for Nathan - Dude Diary. It has all kinds of weird boy questions and stuff to write inside, equipped with a lock which is just cool.

Could have died when I saw this one, had to have it. Remember the post where Nathan had made a birthday list? You can read it here. Well a flipbook was on that list!

Evan & Allie got these cool sets. Remind you of anything?

Nathan & Drew got similar kits, Nathan's has faces stencils, which he draws all the time.

Drew's has animal stencils.

They all really love these.

You know your kids are growing up when they ask for shoes for Christmas.

Allie - scored in the jewelry and art category this year.

Nathan in his "mountain" of gifts. He's usually my hardest to buy for, but not this year.

I had a blast buying for this kid.

P.S. These aren't all from us, Grandma & Grandpa are the culprits.

Uh, gift for Drew, but a big family hit apparently.

Dad's hat on his head, new coat and hat, playdough hamburgers.

Aahhh... it's over now. Down come the decorations, gone is the Christmas music. We are left with board games scattered around the house, moon sand all over the floor, bodies in need of exercise (well, mine), and lots of love and family time enjoyed to last until next December when we start all over again.