To start the holiday season, I turned 42! Whahoo!
We took the kiddo's to Brick Oven for clearly a quiet, relaxing birthday dinner. Thanks to the roaming balloon guy or it really would have been dull ;)
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| I'm 42, people! |
The next day was Thanksgiving. I contributed homemade rolls and mashed potatoes. Once I got things going in the kitchen, we took off to a matinee with the kids~ Fantastic Beasts. Perhaps it was that I got up at the crack-o, or the action packed film, or the fact that it was my first day as a 42 year old, but I could
not keep my eyes open and just gave in to a nice long nap.
Thanksgiving dinner at the Geertsen's with everyone was just lovely and delicious. I thoroughly enjoy catching up with everyone and it is always so good to get together. I feel blessed to have such a wonderful, supportive family!
It is always this time of year I am anxious to get the house decorated for the holidays, start listening to Christmas music and snuggle in with the favorite Christmas movies with the family. Strange how it only takes a year to want to do it all over again!
This ginormous pumpkin Grandma and Grandpa Geertsen grew and then brought over for Zeke was very festive through October and November. I wasn't sure what to do with it for December, and knew Zeke would be sad to get rid of it. I decided to transform it into our very own Frosty, and he really dressed up our porch for the first couple weeks of December... until he just fell apart and there was no putting him back together again.
He's jolly in morning.... he's jolly in the evening.....
We marked December 1st with the Advent Calendar's, and the kids drew names for secret gift giving.
The tree and decor went up right away in December as well. I love a cheery, festive holiday home!
The tree was a bit bonkers this year. There were white and red lights- and we put on every single ornament in the bin. It was loaded to the max, with not one bough to spare. By the end of the month it would be droopy from the weight and dry and thus dropping ornaments and needles by the hour, but it sure was glorious while it lasted!
I have to say, this year's front porch was my favorite yet.
Can you smell the holiday candles burning? Because it's lovely.
With the fresh new fireplace, our old stockings looked a bit dingy and unraveled, but I liked the cream fleece and fur look they had. I decided to make us new ones, with a similar look. I didn't want to commit to a color scheme this time. They are slightly bigger, which will prevent the seams from ripping- but not too big so they still fill quickly, if ya know what I mean.
The month was filled with everything the holidays bring~ school choir concerts, family outings, and parties. The Young Women were in charge of the ward Christmas party~ which means I took it all on and stressed out over it. Isn't that just how it always works out? It was a breakfast this year, which I felt made it a little easier as far as not needing crazy decor or a big program. Still, it consumed a fair amount of my time. Jon and the kids, some youth and my secretary helped with the setup. Once the tables and chairs were in place I felt like Joanna Gaines, shooing everyone away so I could do the decorating on my own. It was a great relief to have that over with!
Christmas time at the Riverwoods!
This night was fun~ we had Santa in the gazebo all to ourselves. I listened real intently to the kids wish list and was satisfied they would be satisfied.
Paisley, the doll, beaming at her Christmas program.
The Taylor grand kids all in a row...
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| (the ones that didn't fit) |
What a great Grandpa these kids get!
Sadie sent me this sweet picture of Romney and Adren. This was the first he got to welcome her back from her mission and they had a sweet exchange.
This was my simple decor for the ward party. You can see my pencil tree and garland in the background. My Laurels helped me make the snowflakes out of natural fiber coffee filters, I donated my big bag of pine cones, bought a few bags of fresh cranberries, and a quick stop at the Christmas Tree lot for a free bunch of discarded clippings. It turned out really pretty! There were 34 tables in all. It was a full house!
Little Zeke was happy to have the Santa hats back out and unpack the Christmas books and stuffed animals he loves. I loved seeing this scene on a cozy December eve:
And I love my view of some snuggle time with this little guy:
It was a special treat to drive out to Elko early one Sunday morning with Paisley and listen to Romney's homecoming talk. Romney's home! Wow, that went fast. It was really great to spend the day at the Goulding's. The drive out and back with just Paisley was delightful!
Here are some scenes of the busy holiday~ the counters and table full of neighbor gifts, visiting teaching treats, and Laurel goodies all to be delivered with love. I spy a poinsettia and a gingerbread house to keep it Merry and Bright.
I feel overwhelmed at times when I consider our blessings! I wouldn't have my life any other way. I have so much to be grateful for, mainly the light of Christ in my life... and the memories and everyone that resides in this cozy winter house.
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| Merry Christmas! |
