CHRISTMAS - 20 questions

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Hot Chocolate definitely. Who doesn't love chocolate?!?! But add some marshmellows for me please!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? They were always wrapped for me as a child and set out under the tree for John. This year, since we will have a visit from 'Santa', the main gift will be unwrapped and the other smaller ones will be wrapped.

3. Colored lights or white? Colored lights on Blay's tree, white on the main tree.

4.Do you hang mistletoe? Yes, but it's fake. It still counts right?

5. When do you decorate for Christmas? Used to be the weekend after Thanksgiving. Now, it's when I get the time. Going to buy the tree this weekend.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish, excluding dessert? Apple cranberry crunch and broccoli casserole.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Getting to be with the family all at one time.

8. When and how, did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't really remember. I'd say before I was 9.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? It's a little bit of everything. We have a 'collection' of ornaments. Since Blay was born, I have been trying to get him one every year. I am going to have to try to find one for him this year. I usually do ribbon to around the tree but this year, I think I am going to use beads, and I top with a big bow!

11. Snow. Love it or hate it? I love it. I love it even better when I can stay home. I will probably see more this year being on the mountain.

12. Can you ice skate? I have never tried.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Yes, it is the Bible John got me the first year we were married.

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you? Getting to spend time wit family and friends and celebrating the real Reason for the Season.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? My mother in laws apple pies and fried pies. Also my grandmothers coconut cake!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I don't know. Starting new ones this year so ask me next year.

17. What tops your tree? A big red, gold, and green bow.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? I like giving, it's part of what the season is about.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Silent Night

20. Candy canes. Yuck or yum? YUMMY!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Things I Love Thursdays

It is impossible to name just one thing that I love this week because there is just soo much love this time of year, from almost everyone! It's impossible not to love this time of year unless you are a Scrooge! (Snap out of it Mandy!)

On this TILT day, I will definitely have to say that I love, love, love decorating our house for the holidays. This year it is a little different though because we are in a new house. One that I have never decorated much before. Not to mention that I haven't even finished decorating it since we have moved in!

We are in a bigger house than we were last Christmas and just trying to figure out where and how I am going to decorate has slowed me down some. I have about 4 or 5 totes with most of it being ornaments and lights. There are so many different things I still need (and want) to decorate with but I don't know if I will ever get to get them for this house.

The favorite part of any house I have always loved to decorate is the mantle. I don't know why but that is the best to me. I am sure my tree will get there one day soon though. I just haven't found the niche of exactly what and how I want to do that.

This year, I have a smaller, more narrow mantle so I haven't figured out how to decorate it yet either. I don't think I'll have enough room for the small things I put on there along with the fresh greenery and cranberries I love to put on it. I also have some huge, and I mean huge pinecones I brought home with me from Lake Tahoe a few years ago that I add to the mantle.

With all the decorating and deciding, I don't know how I can love to do it all but I do. This year, I have an even greater love for it and to make it one of the best and that's because of Blay. He so far is loving Christmas, even though he is still a little confused on it all but lights, trees, and all the decorations makes his little face light up. That is the greatest love of all for me!

Link the title and want to join in on the TILT fun? Check out: http://thediaperdiaries.net/

Just an update

There isn't a whole lot on right now other than a lot of online Christmas and not a lot to blog about today so I just thought I would let you know what has been going on for the past couple of days.

Sunday, we did our usual going to church routine. After church, I went to pick up more drugs to get rid of the sinus stuff that has been plagueing me for more than a week now. After we got home, Blay wanted to be 'cool' and wear Mommy's shoes. Keep in mind they aren't everday shoes. In fact, there were what I call my 'hooker' boots. Here is a picture of Blay wearing my boots Sunday after church.



Blay didn't want to go to church on Sunday night and John was helping my dad lay tile so we layed out. Probably a good thing so we could rest since we didn't get home until about 7 on Saturday night.

Monday, Dad, Yo, and Gabbie came up for a visit. Dad and Yo hadn't seen Blay since we got home from the cruise over 2 weeks ago and so they came up. Gabbie hadn't seen Blay since before the cruise so of course, he was happy to see her. They played together for a good while before he finally just got really irritable because he was tired. Here is a picture of Blay and Gabbie playing together on Monday.



Here are a couple more pictures from Monday night...notice Blay's purple mouth?



Blay eating his daddy's favorite...Cinammon Applesauce



Blay after a purple popsicle

Last night, Blay and I undecorated his tree so we could put lights on it. He was so excited he was trying to redecorate it before I could even finish getting the lights on. I did have to call 'Santa' on him last night because he started being really mean to me. After the phone call and a crying spell wanting 'Santa' to bring him his choo-choo, he apoligized and was fine, for a little while anyways. We went through the apologizing, being good, being bad spell a few times last night. Here is a picture of his tree.



What was even worse was while he was in the tub 'Santa' was under the house working on Blay's choo-choo. He was really scared at first because he thought he wasn't going to get it but then he was fine and started 'ho-ho-ing' right back and telling 'Santa' through the vent that he wanted a choo-choo for Christmas.

If he is good today, then we are going to try to take him to see Santa tonight before church so wish us luck!

Blog Hop- Christmas Traditions

Over the years, John and I have not really had a 'tradition' to go along with our combined families. We would typically have Christmas at my dad's on Christmas Eve 'Eve' and drive to Kingsport on Christmas Eve to have dinner and family gathering with John's mom and then Christmas Day with John's dad.

John and I have always bought a real tree, which is something new that was started for me when we got married. I never had a real tree growing up so this was a whole new experience for me and I love it. In fact, our first Christmas together as a married couple we went and cut down our own tree. That was soo much fun.

This year though, our traditions are changing some and I am ever excited. It is amazing at how children can brighten your holidays, and even more Christmas.

This year, we are staying home for Christmas. Blay is so 'in to' Christmas this year. It is amazing. I have already had to put up the tree in his room. There are not any lights, just a few ornaments and a baseball topper. I am going to attempt tonight to put colored lights on his tree. I am sure they won't look how I would want them too because I know he will be helping me.

Also this year, we are going to get another real tree. Where we buy it at this year I am not sure but we are going to take Blay with us this year and let him help us pick it out and decorate it. This year too, I think I'll be able to put ornaments on the entire tree, instead of just the top half. You can see the below picture from last year to know what I am talking about.



Another thing we are going to start with Blay and I hope to keep it a tradition is reading the real Christmas Story. The story of the birth of our Savior. We have already taught Blay that Jesus's birthday is coming up and he will sing 'Happy Birthday' to him. It is soo sweet and precious to see Christmas through the eyes of a two year old. I am so excited to see what else is instore for our first Christmas at home and the start of our very own Christmas Traditions.