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christmas

Blog, christmas, Family

decorating the Christmas tree


I don’t think we’ve had a (big) Christmas tree since Liam was a toddler. I got rid of it years ago and didn’t really decorate for Christmas for many years. My heart was set on a beautiful white tree and I knew that one day, when we owned our first house, I would get the tree that I had been waiting for. This year, my tree dreams came true! I ordered a white tree from Target during Thanksgiving week while it was half price and it arrived on December 1st. 
 
So we spent the first day of December with our Pandora station playing Christmas music while we wore our matching elf jammies and decorated the tree. 
 
children and white christmas tree
children and white christmas tree
 
Did I say “we?” Yes! All 7 of us having matching pj’s this year and it was pretty much the best decision I have ever made. Matching pj’s for Christmas has also always been a dream of mine but I didn’t like the giant price tag that came with them. This year I ended up finding all of them for 40% off on Black Friday and bought them in sizes that they can wear this year and next–unless one of my kids miraculously has a growth spurt. And if you know my kids, you know that’s not likely.
children and white christmas tree

 

children and white christmas tree
white christmas tree
I had a few people ask me how I got my husband to wear the jammies. My answer? Because I have a good husband, that’s how. He knew that it meant a lot to me and he didn’t complain a single bit. And he actually finds them quite comfortable so it’s a win/win.
elf jammies
white christmas tree
kids decorating the christmas tree 6

 

This elf baby melts my heart!!
elf pajamas for kids

 

I’m keeping the mantel simple this year–I even had to borrow the greenery. But I’m hoping to find some pretty things after Christmas and at garage sales and thrift stores next year.
christmas green

 

I ordered some more headbands from my friend, Rose and she threw in this adorable Christmas headband for Evangeline. We love our topknot headbands from her!
Sew Sweet Alterations Boutique

 

elf pajamas

 

A couple of the runners-up for our Christmas card. A tripod and 10 second timer are my BFF’s. Look at how everyone is smiling! I loved this picture but thought it looked like my foot was broken haha.
white chrostmas tree

 

And this one makes me laugh every time I look at it. Kai, the black sheep of the family.
christmas card funny
Christmas lights are magical. The perfect glow that they cast make me so happy.
evangeline laughing

 

And I’ll end with this amazing picture of the kids with Santa. You know, where you can barely see 2 of my kids. And Santa and Mrs. Claus are hiding back there somewhere.
santa and kids

So even though I despise the cold…the Christmas lights twinkling at night, the cozy fires in the fireplace at the simple turn of a knob, and the cutest family of elves are making these cold, dark nights not so bad.

Blog, christmas, Family

Christmas cookies


After a pretty full holiday season, we can finally get back to our normal routine. School will start again on Monday. No more packed weeks with too many places to go. 

 
We had a good Christmas season with lots to do. But I found myself not taking very many pictures. There has been a serious lack of motivation because my pictures have not been turning out how I would like them to. 
It has seriously taken me weeks to post these pictures for that very reason. So my New Year’s resolution (even though I don’t do resolutions) will be to take more pictures. We’ll see how that goes.
 
Anyway, this year we started a new tradition–making Christmas cookies. We’ve done this with other families in the past, but this year we tried it on our own. I will just say that it’s time consuming and messy with 4 young children, especially when you’re the only adult helping out (Don was sleeping.) But it was so worth it because of how much they enjoyed it. Here are just a few shots that I took over the TWO DAYS(!!) that it took to make them.
 
black and white photography

 

I wish everyone was in focus for these pictures…but these faces are priceless 🙂
4 kids sitting on counter

 

four kids sitting funny

 

the boys got to help out with the whole process
kids helping in the kitchen

 

boy holding egg

 

these little moments between brothers are the best!
liam and kai playing handheld game

 

boy spreading flour

 

cutting out cookie shapes

 

young boy smiling

 

little boy making funny face

 

christmas cookie cut outs

 

rolling pin

 

colorful icing bags

 

boy decorating christmas cookies

 

colorful christmas sugar cookies

 

little girl laying on blankie
 
Happy 2015!