Ending the decade in Holiday Cheer!

Here we are, it's Holiday Time! It was especially fun for me this Christmas season to decorate with a fresh main floor! It really made me simplify~ I got rid of so many decorations that I rarely put up, or have just had toooo much love.

Zeke wanted to be sure he got to be the one to add the star.
I made sure I took it off after Paisley put it up and let him do it.

After stringing the garland, checking the lights, re-stringing the burned out lights, adding extension cords, re-setting the outdoor breaker, those lights would not light! Oh well, I had to be satisfied it looked festive in the day.

I was happy to remember I found this cute reindeer guy after last season. He stood grazing on the porch all season, cute as can be.

It always feels so warm to have garland and twinkle lights throughout the house.

Cute Christmas Eli.

Paisley was looking forward to a class field trip up to the State Capitol with her grade. She called to tell me she didn't hear the announcement to get on the bus, and for some reason her teacher didn't notify her, so she missed the bus. She was calling to see if I could drop off her backpack so she'd have her work for the day. I could tell she was so disappointed. I ran and checked her out and she got to sit with me during my lunch shift at the school and meet all the cute kids, and I got to show her off to all my co-workers. Afterwards we lunched at Chic Filet and it turned out to be a pretty good day.

Paisley's lifelong friends, Josie and Esme. What dolls.

Cozy morning drink in my cute birthday mug from LT.

I'll tell you what is not so festive~ A broken window! Paisley tossed an orange and this happened. She felt so bad. It reminded us of when she shattered the back window of the minivan from throwing a marble at it. Who knew such a little Pixie girl could be so destructive!

She's still the sweetest thing around.


This treat was waiting for the kids when they returned home from school starting Christmas Break!

Now it's just finishing up those last minute things until the big day!

I sure love this family of mine! Being together makes the Holidays extra sweet!

Christmas Eve was spent as usual~ Baking and cooking for the party tonight!

It was an exciting full house! Cade and Ash with the Taylor kids, Shafer and Lindsey with the the Taylor boys, Granny and Grandpa Taylor and Grandma and Grandpa Geertsen. It is so special to all be together on such a special night! I realized especially this year how much it adds to that sacred feeling of Christmas. How lucky we are to have such a full house!

After a delicious dinner we went right into icing Santa cookies, then the Christmas Eve Program. I took the time to make up a little more organized program this year. It was sweet to hear each little cousin read and sing together. Of course, we ended watching Luke 2. Everyone went on their way and we did a quick clean up so the kids could open their Christmas jammies! I made them all cute jammie shorts this year that went with cozy sweatshirts. They seem to prefer something not so hot, and these shorts would prove to be worn year-round.

Rooms picked up, Breakfast prepped, kids in jammies & Cookies set out... Jon and I relaxed downstairs with a movie while we heard the kids chatting for a bit upstairs. It's magic time!

Oh, my goodness!

Zeke and Paisley were the first to rise. (of course) Once everyone was up and too excited to stand it, we headed down to see what it all looked like!

I knew I didn't have to assign these cozy blankets. They each took the one I knew they would!

Hover Boards!!!

New Robe!

Paisley GOT THE DRESS.

I just love the days after Christmas. I don't think there's any time of the year better! Cozy on the couch early one morning watching Moana (one of his faves) with Zeke. So special.

I love these I found in my phone- Pics Zeke took of his favorite gifts to send to his BFF:

As the kids get older and the gifts more "mature"- or should I say less tiny messy toys everywhere, I can now get things looking somewhat civil for the rest of the break.

New Years Eve ended the dreamy days just how I like it: At home with yummy snacks and treats. I did run Adren and Eli and a packed van to a Stake dance nearby, but that was fun! As they all exited the van I challenged them to ask at least one girl to dance. And handed out gum to each of them. As one kid thanked me he said, "Best Mom award!" I'll take it!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY 2020!