our merry & bright home

this year, i wanted to change things up a bit by adding some more color.  i had bigger plans than i was actually able to accomplish, but there is always next year.  right?

the kiddos made this fabulous gingerbread house with grandma and grandpa and have already eaten most of the candy off of it and part of the roof!

our frig is decked out with lots of christmas cards from some of our favorite peeps!

an oldie, but a goodie!

love this poinsettia...it's pink! ish.

our mantle got more color this year with star glitter ornaments on a silver tinsel tree and my mawmaw's colored lights!

some of our favorite Christmas stories sit out for easy access.

the stockings are hung and waiting to be filled!

this sweet nativity welcomes us every day as it sits in our entry way.

our ledge holds all of our santa pics.

this nativity gets played with daily and never actually looks so perfect.  it has had many visitors...including spiderman, snowmen, lightning mcqueen, and flash.  also, baby Jesus is usually on the roof.

our tree...i really do love it this year with all it's imperfections and construction paper and foam ornaments!!!

us.

we've been slacking on our little Christmas sock advent.  but, we did get this book and we've been using it for family devotions.  it's a little over their heads, but we are making it work for us.

a glitter reindeer, vintage bulbs, and the most amazing candle out of all the candles in the world...volcano by capri blue.  you're welcome.

and this guy.

and that's our merry and bright home!!!

our visit with Santa

of course, these kiddos were super excited to visit with Santa!

they both sat in his lap with no problems and when Santa asked what they wanted for Christmas...Carter said, "a Barbie!"  Grace laughed a big and nervous laugh...because a Barbie!?!  seriously???  you don't joke about stuff like that.  you will get a Barbie from Santa!

Grace nervously asked for art supplies.  then, Santa asked for something!

he would like this little artist to draw a picture for him and leave it beside his milk and cookies.  she agreed and went straight to work on her masterpiece as soon as she got home!

a north pole breakfast

we welcomed jingle, our elf, back to our home this christmas season with our annual north pole breakfast.

as usual, the breakfast contained a sugar overload.

hi-ya, jingle!

jingle's notes are so special to this girl.

jingle brought a couple of christmas books and some elf chapstick for the kiddos.

this is such a fun way to start off the christmas season and the kids love it!

we are super excited to have jingle back, especially when he brings donuts!!!

our tree

it's not perfect.  not even close.  but, it was chosen by some happy people and wheeled the long way to the checkout.  just because.  it's not perfect.  but, it fits our family perfectly.

these two (despite the forced smiles) were crazy excited about decorating our tree with their new ornaments.

seriously, how cute?

this colorful yarn wrapped star fits our little art loving girl perfectly

carter man loves all things snuggly...he's even slept with it.

love this wild boy!!!

they loved pulling all of the ornaments out of the boxes and seeing who could hang theirs the highest.  the step stool even made an appearance.  carter man for the win!

one of my favorites

and another

{update:  I am not pregnant.  This ornament is from 2007 when I was pregnant with Grace. So sorry for any confusion and/or disappointment}

and this one makes me so happy!!!

the finishing touch...our star that always hangs crooked.  and i wouldn't want it to hang any other way.

ta-da!!!  our tree!!!

and just because i can.

thanksgiving {2014}

we had another great thanksgiving...first with my family and then john's.  we are extremely blessed to have so much family close by us even if that means we literally have to stuff ourselves full of turkey!

these two!  i kinda like 'em!!!

these kids are getting so big...once, we help them get situated, they are on their own.  they don't need us like they used to.  (or, maybe, they just got mimi to do all the things for them)

this totally portrays their personalities!

grace was super excited about pie!!!  after she ate her lunch, she was more than ready to eat some pie!  my favorite part of the day...with her plate in her hand, grace was ready for her pie!  when she saw that she had multiple choices...chocolate, apple, pecan, chocolate pecan, she asked me, "can i have a little taste of each of them?  that way, i'll know which one i want!"  after her taste test, she decided on chocolate pecan.  she took her plate to the now empty kids' table and ate her pie contently.  then she went back for a second piece.

once the pie shenanigans were over, john taught all the kids how to yo-yo.

they formed a line and waited their turn.

since all ten of the grandkids were together, we attempted to get a good picture of them all.  attempted.

we did get a family selfie.  we are missing a head or two.  but, i love it!!!

i hope you enjoyed your thanksgiving weekend!  now, we're back in the grind.  only three more weeks until christmas break!!!  can i get a WOOT-WOOT?!?