Scenes From Christmas

As a family, we watch several Christmas movies through out December. They range from Christmas Story to The Nativity Story. I loved this movie. It was so good to show Mary's feelings and what her life might have been like giving birth to the Messiah. A side not to this is the actress playing Mary looked a great deal like my niece Jade.
In this post I will share a few photos of my decorations and a few things we did as a family. This is the season for celebrating our Lord's birth. It is also for giving and thinking of others. This is my shelf in the kitchen hall way. All of my decorations were simple this year.
We all went Christmas shopping together as a family about two weeks before Christmas. We went to breakfast and shared our Christmas lists with each other. Our son Harrison and daughter Jessica enjoying hot cocoa.
Our first stop was the farm store. My husband needed things like hats, cloves and tools for his stocking. The kids wanted to shop here for Dad. I love it, they put the blanket on the horse in winter time.
Don't you just love these big farm stores? I used to come in here and look at everything; especially the baby chicks in spring, even when I was an outsider and didn't belong in here.
I felt like I did not belong here because at the time I didn't live on a farm., but now I can hold my head up high and shop.
When I got chickens and began buying chicken feed I felt like I had a right to shop in here!! Here's Jessica posing with the statue.
Our other daughter Victoria having fun posing. They sell everything you could imagine here; clothing, wood stoves, gardening, animal feed and tons more.
I love this spot in the store. There is furniture next to a rock fireplace.
Harrison getting warm.
Stacey, my husband and Harrison looking at the specials.
The next stop had to be for the girls. This gift was hand picked so they knew they were getting Converse.
They were thrilled!! We wrapped them up and put them under the tree.
Jessica and our son Garrett building a tiny little snowman.
I put this sign on the laundry room door and told the kids not to come in until I was finished wrapping gifts. The sign says, "Mrs. Clause at work. Don't Peek."
Harrison and Garrett get a new nutcracker for the collection each year.
Jessica opening one of her gifts. Notice the carpet; we still have not changed the downstairs carpet yet. We hope to do this within three weeks.
Happy sisters hugging after exchanging gifts.
My husband completely surprised me. We had agreed not to exchange gifts this year. Well, he was so generous. He bought me a fake fireplace. I was so excited!! I had wanted one for four years.
We put it in the dining room. I just love it so much. This is where I sit each morning and read my Bible and drink coffee. My brother-in-law Tim, sent this darling little cast iron bird to me. I found the candle holder at Target on sale for $5 after Christmas.
It looks like a real fire and puts out a little bit of heat. It's like a space heater only it is pretty.
Our tree this year. I wanted things to be simple so I only put a few ornaments on this time.
Christmas day dinner. I made a turkey.
One of his vacation days Garrett made Christmas cookies with me.
Our Cathie made this pretty advent calendar, which I hung from my shelf.
Harrison and Garrett's nutcracker collection went nicely on the newly painted shelf.
I used white lights on the table tree and wreath. I decorated very simply this year and I am glad. It was refreshing.
Keeping with simple decorating, I borrowed this idea from my mother-i n-law. I like the lights in the mason jar.
In this photo I had been awake since 12:00 am wrapping presents and getting ready for Christmas. My mascara is coming off because I laughed so hard during our white elephant /gag gift exchange. I'm wearing the vintage apron Sharon gave as a gag gift. Now I call this a prize not a gag gift. I love vintage aprons.
Sharon and Eric served us a potato and salad bar. Everything was so perfect. They gave us such a good time. Thank you Sharon and Eric. We loved your party and loved all that you so graciously did for us. All your special touches and thoughtfulness are so appreciated.
Christmas at my sister Sharon's house, please click on her name or here to see and read all about it I'm so thankful for my family and for the true meaning of Christmas, which is Jesus' birth. "God has given us these times of Joy." Psalm 81:4