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Friday, December 15, 2006

Decking My Halls Boo Mama Style



Welcome to our humble home where Jesus is the reason, and not just for the season. I spent the whole day cleaning Merry Maids recently cleaned and I baked for hours my babysitter made some cookies though not the ones shown, they were picked up from a bakery and it's a good thing because you probably don't want my baking! So grab yourself a warm drink and make yourself at home.



There are traces of Christmas in rooms throughout our home, but our formal living room holds the bulk of our Christmas cheer.

Here's my favorite Christmas decoration!
But my kids prefer the dancing Santa that sings Jingle Bell Rock and shakes his booty!


Their second favorite decoration is this set(s) of tic tac toe.




Here's how we countdown to Christmas along with my kids nativity made from Pringles cans! Snowman and Santa are really trying to get into the Word!






We collect Christmas books each year, but they're usually piled on the end table in our livingroom. Then I got the idea to display them around our end table. What do you think?







My mother made me a stocking when I was a little girl, and I continued the tradition by making most of the stockings. Can you tell which two I didn't make, but hope to embellish one day?


A couple of years ago I found four matching pajamas, and I had a photographer come out to my house to capture Christmas morning. We got a great photo, though it was after Christmas and I had to wrap empty boxes, Grace kept swiping Santa's cookies, the one photo I really wanted of them sleeping by the fireplace didn't turn out well, and we all felt like the Grinch by the time it was over.

I grew up with a real tree dripping with eclectic ornaments my mom gave us every year, tinsel and charm, but several years ago we made the switch to an artificial tree. We kept the ornament tradition and lost the tinsel (had to appease hubby) Curious as to why I caved in to getting a fake tree? That's another story!

FYI, or ICYC (in case you care) my kids have a really teeny tiny mini Christmas tree in each of their rooms with a baby Jesus underneath. It's only fitting, since He's the best gift we can receive at Christmas.

Here's the nativity my boys played with when they were younger. I just found it mostyly intact (the manger is missing) and now it's in Grace's room.


On top of our borrowed piano that hardly gets played sits the children's first Christmas photos. Chris and Joey with a very Veggie Manger...




And Timmy and Gracie.
Last year I finally figured out a theme for my kitchen. Snowmen! Before that it was a hodge podge of Christmas decor! So here's a homeschooling mom's attempt to Christmasify her kitchen, though on most days the counter and table is clutter with school books. My kitchen has a few other subtle decorations, but trust me, it's not worth spending your tour time on!

Grace made this cute little snowman with her foot print while in preschool a couple of years ago. That's where I got the snowman theme idea! I'll spare you the rest of the snowman bathroom dollar store decor.

If you've made it this far, thanks for stopping by! And Santa Claws is really happy he can get out of his costume now! And if you're still in touring spirit, visit the rest of the participants.


11 comments:

Beck said...

I love your house - and I love that you decorate your bathroom! My kids have a little mini tree in their room and get to use it as a nightlight at CHristmastime.

Heather said...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Our house looks like an elf threw-up. Love it!
And, oh, Gina, the Christmas photo is too adorable.

Chanda Canup said...

I LOVE the footprint snowman. Don't you just think you'll treasure that stuff always? (My DH keeps wondering just how many treasures we will have for always!)

Anonymous said...

I love all your decorations! And although I didn't post pictures of it, my bathroom has some snowman decor too!

Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Gina,
Your house is lovely! I especially like your outdoor lighting. I'm inspired to get out tomorrow and do some more decorating. It's hard to get into the spirit of house trimming when you're sweating and running your air conditioner!

Big Mama said...

Your outdoor lights are beautiful. I think my favorite thing is the picture of the kids. It was worth the grinchy mood to have that picture!

Susannah said...

Loads of fun, Gina! That footprint snowman is so clever. And is that a Veggie Tales Nativity set? If so, how cool. Your children (in their pajamas) are precious in that family portrait above your fireplace. Thanks for inviting us in to your home today! Merry Christmas.

on the Rock said...

This is all so beautiful! A lovely personal touch with the boys' portrait all reading together! Merry Christmas!

Susie said...

Your house is charming! I especially loved your snowman made from your daughter's footprint! Too cute!!
Thanks for visiting me...
Merry Christmas!

Tammy said...

There is so much to say, I don't know where to begin! Love all of your decorations, the Nativities...the praying Santa! And your home from the outside looks spectacular!
Wonderful tour! :D
~Tammy http://familydoins.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

What fun! Loved that tour...you have a beautiful home, and great Christmas keepsakes. Loved the pringle can nativity! And the adorable bathroom towel with your daughter's footprint! We did the same snowmen out of footprints on doormats of all the grandchildren 2 years ago for the grandparents. We wrote across the top, "My grandkids walk all over me"...it was a hoot.

Thanks for the virtual tour!