Christmas-y Catch-up

Happy Belated Holidays!

Whew, this post has taken me ages to finish...Merry Christmas a few weeks late...Happy New Year!  We had such a great Christmas this year.  The girls are 5 and 2 and everything is so magical to them and it's fun to relish that magic through them (even if there's a bit of gift-buying stress thrown in there as I always seem to wait until the last 2 paychecks to start my Christmas shopping (!!!)

I have always loved Christmas.  I love the lights, the decorations, the Nativity, the abundance of cookies, the permission I give myself to eat sweets and savor mugs full of hot chocolate..the Christmas movies and cartoons (still love all of them!), the tree, the tinsel.  I love it all.  

The photos below are a combination of different decorations at my mom's house and at our house, if you'd like to take a look...

Years ago, when my mother and step-father were building their home, they added this huge, permanent Christmas village scene down in the basement/bar area.  It always catches my breath when the overhead lights are off and the village seems to come to life with all of the little homes and churches all lit up.  There is a train set up to "choo-choo" all around the tracks blowing little puffs of smoke up into the air.  The kids get such a kick out of it!  My step-dad is a true kid at heart. 

This is a pretty ceremic, vintage tree of my mom's that I just adore....so pretty!

Daisy (my mom's dog) and Little Button enjoying a chat at my mom's house.  :)

Yup, we had one of these things...Pumpkin Pie was fully into it this year.  I kept it REAL simple, and just moved it from one place to the next each night..I knew if I start to get creative with it, she would expect more and more each morning and I just couldn't handle that kind of pressure this year, lol.  PP was perfectly content with it just moving from place to place each night. No drama for yo mama. Little Button clearly expressed her distaste by saying "Mommy, I don't like that thing"  Ha!

Christmas Eve...all spruced up.  I had to work unti 430.  I usually get Christmas Eve off every other year or so.  Last year I had it off so this year I had to work.  We had my sister and brother as well as some aunt's and uncles over for lots of food and drinks.

The girls were so excited!  

Classic Christmas movies a playin' in the background, of course.

My sister spent one Christmas in Germany years ago, so this year she introduced me to Gluhwein. 

Mulled and spicy and warm.   

Loved it! :)  

Looks like Santa came! 

Little Button could've cared less...she was happier that she got her hands on the ever-so-elusive Ipad (that Mommy has to hide so kiddos don't want to use it!) 

Fozzie's special treat from Santa was a little bit of dreamy catnip. 

...watching the cat....

Here are a few of the new dolls that joined our family on Christmas morning. :)

Periwinkle from the Disney Faeries. 

Barbie from their favorite book "Barbie and the Island Princess" 

Zarina from "The Pirate Fairy"  Disney Faeries

Adora Baby Dolls "Bathtime Baby"

Toy Story 3 Barbie :)

Such a sassy outfit!

Some Moxie Girl mini dolls 

Here we are sorting through the loot! 

After gifts, my mother in law, bro-in-law and niece came over for a delicious Christmas brunch.  I think brunch is my favorite meal.  Breakfast casseroles, bacon, coffee, pastries...such comfort food!  

Later that afternoon we headed down the road to my aunt and uncles house for more gifts and food.

Such a great holiday was had by all.  I had to go back to work that following day (the 26th) but after that enjoyed a nice 3 day weekend.  We actually just took the tree down yesterday!  I would've kept it up for another week as I am always sad to take the tree down.  I'm fine with everything else getting put away after New Years Day, but that colorful glow and large presence of a natural evergreen in the living room just makes me so happy.

Feeling very blessed and thankful this year so far.

I think my only resolution will be to try to see happiness and appreciation in as many moments as I can throughout each day.  It's all about fun, laughing and love.  I'm not trying to make anyone out there "gag" lol, but I really have been making a conscious effort to choose positive thoughts, meditate and walk every day and it has done wonders on my energy!

Wishing you all a warm Happy New Year.

I have some photos of my recent trip to NYC to post as well as a few new dolls I've reviewed so hope you stick around for more here on the blog.  Thanks again for visiting and happy weekend to you all! :) 

xoxo