Friday, January 2, 2009

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

18 comments:

Brittany said...

Kathi! It was so nice to spend Christmas eve with you guys.

Thanks for sharing all your pictures. I really like the simplicity you have with your decorations. I especially like lights in the mason jar. Such a neat idea!

Have a good weekend!

Brittany

Michelle said...

Loved seeing all your pictures and hearing about your family Christmas! What a beautiful picture of you & Sharon together...such gorgeous gals you both are :)

Hugs,
Michelle

Rose of Sharon said...

What a lovely Christmas season you had! I love all the fun shopping pictures. Your home looks really pretty! I can't wait to see the "after" pictures. You say your decorating was simple, but to me it looks like you did a lot and it is really pretty. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your new fireplace! I am so happy for you! I know you have wanted one for quite a long time! It looks perfect in the dining room.

Love you!
Sharon

onlymehere said...

I'm so jealous of that fireplace! I've been wanting one too for a long time. I miss my fireplace that I had in my last house. There's nothing like curling up with a good book and some hot cocoa, or just sitting and watching the fire. Simple pleasures. We went with a simple Christmas too. Most of it was handcrafted and it was very satisfying for me to do that. This looks like a very nice Christmas with the focus on what matters most. I read Sharon's blog earlier and that potato bar had every topping you could think of to put on it! Family.....that's what really matters in life and I love how you always have them front and center!

Linda said...

Happy New Year Kathi.
It fun seeing your Christmas....your home looks so pretty and I love the fairy lights in the mason jar. Your fireplace is wonderful...what a sweet surprise....hugs, Linda

BittersweetPunkin said...

Hi Kathi! LOVE your fireplace...we have been seeing the commercial with the Amish made space heaters like that and my hubby thought we should get one for our room...they do look nice...maybe next year!!

Your photos are so nice...thanks for sharing your holiday with us!
Hugs,
robin

Pearl said...

Hi Kathi... This was such a fun post to read. Your home looked beautiful for the Holidays! I especially liked the photo of the kids with their teeny-tiny snowman... how adorable! And the nutcracker collection of the boys is just awesome! My sons have a collection of those, too, but sadly we did not display them this year. I was so tickled to find out that your dear husband surprised you with a gift of a new fireplace! I bet your ♥heart♥ sang when you saw it... I think it's just beautiful, Kathi, and I'm sure you'll enjoy countless hours sitting by it as you read your Bible. Thanks for sharing so much of your life and your sweet family with us... my ♥heart♥ is always warmed with a visit to your blog-home! I'm really glad that your Christmas was so wonderful, and I hope 'n pray that this new year is kind to you... God bless...

~hugs 'n prayers~

Pearl

luvmy4sons said...

Love all your Christmas pictures. That store was awesome! And that picture of you and Sharon so precious! Be sure to check my post on Monday. I wil have my Christmas pictures up!

Elena said...

All your decorations looked so pretty! I loved your fake fire place, I would love to have one too:) I enjoyed taking a peek into your Christmas season with your family!

Dana said...

Aww, you look so beautiful:) Ive been wanting one of those fireplaces, I hope to get one soon

Tanya said...

Kathi, I love all of your decorations and your fireplace is awesome. I love to see other peoples traditions. I remember when I was younger, I loved Nutcrackers. I hope that you had an awesome christmas and your new year will be even better.

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Hello Sweet Kathi!

Oh my, it looks like you had a wonderful Christmas! Your home looks so warm and cozy! I LOVE without a doubt, your fireplace!!! I had hubby just look at it! hint, hint! In our last home we had 3 fireplaces, so I have been wanting to add some more through this home. Yours looks so REAL! So sweet! Got a couple questions if you want to answer them...where? how did you get a fire going? does it let off warmth? is it electric? Just to name a few! hahahaha! I always enjoy my time with you Kathi! Wishing you a wonderful New Year filled with tons of blessings!

Hugs,
Maryjane

j said...

LOVE all of your photographs. The Mrs Claus working sign was adorable. And I have a nutcracker collector too!

Happy New Year Kathi. I hope 2009 is a blessed year for you and your family!

Rue said...

Hi Kathi :)

I love your new fireplace!! What a sweet husband you have :)

I'm glad you had a wonderful Christmas with your family and I hope you have a very Happy New Year!

hugs,
rue

Sondra said...

Hmmm. can't say I have ever been to a big farm store! LOL! However, I would love a converse store! I bet they have all kinds of cool ones in there. Austin and Wes love them too. Wes has some 'Christmas' converses that are red on one side and green on the other! Love your new fireplace. So cozy.

Gramma 2 Many said...

We have been kind of batting the idea of putting in a gas fireplace. I would really like to do so. Yours looks real nice. I also love the lights in the jar. What a cute idea.

SweetAnnee said...

It looks so fun and festive
hope 2009 brings you MANY blessings my friend..
Deena

Kelly said...

These pictures were awesome!!!! I LOVE the farm store!!!! I wonder if we have anything like that here, we have a Feed Store down the road but that is very small and has just animal feed, I go there for food but they have no clothes or things like that, I think the one by you is so cool!

((hugs))
Kelly

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