Christmas Tour Of Homes

Following the lead of Bethany (your getting to be a regular on my blog, and I can't get the code to work either), I'm participating in the Nester tour of homes...

So, Madalynn & I welcome you to our decked halls, and invite you in, we'll start a fire, give you some homemade cookies, and some hot cocoa, and wish you a Merry Christmas...

Sorry this picture is so fuzzy, but it's the little tree on our front porch that welcomes you...

Our Merry Christmas wreath...

I use ribbons w/ tiny clothespins to display our incoming Christmas cards...

I love this hutch, and try to change it seasonally... I've been looking for a big star to put on the top but haven't found one yet...

You can see Madalynn's gingerbread house on the top shelf...

On the bottom shelf I have a quilted table runner my grandmother made me years ago...

I love this nativity I got in Guatemala a couple years ago... I just think it's the sweetest...

I also have a collection of Longaberger Christmas baskets as my former employer gave us the Christmas basket every year...

I love this little plate... I bought it a few years ago for a Yankee Swap but I liked it so much I kept it & got something else for the swap...

Our tree at night...

During the day...

One of Madalynn's favorite ornaments... it was one I had as a little girl that I always loved too. I always had to make sure there was a light bulb directly in back of it to illuminate the dove. Some family friends made this for us, and I think it's made out of a tuna can...

Her other favorite, an animated Winnie The Pooh... this is our ONLY child ornament on the tree... I feel kind of bad about that, but I know those years are ahead...

These are the books Madalynn & I read each night before bed...

Our stockings hung by the chimney... I long to have a mantle.

Our sliders...

Snowflakes on our back deck...

I hope you enjoyed the tour... I have many ideas for next year already!! Merry Christmas from our house to yours...

Giveaway

Check out my dear friend Bethany's blog for an awesome giveaway for a great cause. She's another adoptive Mama, and her & I meeting was totally a God thing!!

Great Book...

I've been looking for Christmas books, and movies that will show Madalynn that Christmas isn't all about Santa, and presents. I found this book today ("The Spirit of Christmas" by Nancy Tillman). I read it to her twice before bedtime, and cried both times while reading the last page. It is a beautiful story with gorgeous illustrations. I highly recommend it...

The last line "... the best part of Christmas will always be you under my Christmas tree."

Time of traditions...

I was pondering the other day what it is exactly that creates such a special joy around Christmas.  It occurred to me that I think there is a comfort, and security that comes from traditions.  Life is continually changing, but with the Christmas season we find constants... we put up a tree, hang our stockings, send cards, bake cookies.  It delights me to get out the Christmas cookie cutters I used as a little girl.  Suddenly I'm back in the kitchen I grew up in, sneaking a lick out of the bowl while my Mom's back is turned.  My prayer is I'm giving Madalynn those same memories of comfort & warmth.

So, today was one of those traditions we went to Grandma & Grandpa's to decorate gingerbread houses with the cousins.  God bless my parents.  I can't even think about Madalynn's sugar consumption between the M&M's, and the frosting.

 

 

 

Christmas card out-takes...

As I've mentioned Madalynn DOES not cooperate with the camera!!  She was better than usual yesterday morning in trying to get a picture for the Christmas card... here are some of the ones that didn't make the cut...

 

 

How did that happen?

How are we knocking on the door of December?  What happened to November?  November is in fact a blur.  Not sure why we weren't extraordinarily busy, although my heart has been soooo ready for Christmas.

We celebrated my Dad's 67th birthday.  My 5 year old niece, came to my house to decorate the cake with Madalynn... I gave them each pastry bags w/ frosting colors for them to decorate... they went to town...

Chatham the puppy also tried to help herself to cheese & crackers (I just love this dog, she's the sweetest thing).

Look at her little tongue sticking out.

 

We had a nice quiet Thanksgiving at my parents house.  Madalynn enjoyed it (especially getting to run around with her cousins).  I actually threw a football for probably the first time in my life in the backyard with my nephew Adam.  It was great fun, although I'll never figure out how to throw a spiral, and I have a new respect for those on any football field that catch those balls.  He has a good arm, and I was quite a girl when that ball came flying my way. 

I think these sunglasses make her look like Elton John... throw in the faux fur collar, and she's there.

This weekend we got the house all decked out for Christmas...

Madalynn found 2 of my "It's A Wonderful Life" ornaments, and decided those should be the gifts 2 of the wise men brought the baby Jesus...

 

Hanging up her stocking...

This is today going to get our tree with Ga-Ga & Grandpa...

This looks like a good one Mommy...

For some reason when we got home Madalynn thought the tree needed a once over with the Swiffer...

She is definitely in full-on TWO mode.  She can be quite a challenge at times, and then a complete love-bug the next.  She makes me laugh every day, and I am so thankful to be her Mommy.