Deck the Halls

We decked the halls before we left town for Thanksgiving.  I was a lot less excited to decorate this year and I have no idea why.  We pared down our normal decorating.  We normally have an upstairs tree and a downstairs tree, but basically left all of our decorating to our upstairs living area, and kept it much simpler this year.

Our buffet near our dining area.

Since rearranging our living room, we moved this sofa table upstairs.  I love having it upstairs so I can create a little display to compliment whatever season we are in.  I LOVE my Willow Tree Nativity Set.  We have all the pieces now. I didn't put them all up this year - just keeping it simple.

You can see my homemade advent calendar hanging on the wall.  I get so many compliments on this and I am so proud of it because it is one idea I actually mostly came up with by myself!! :)  

And here is our tree. We used our smaller tree upstairs this year.  But I love my homemade stockings and tree skirt just as much this year as last year!  

We have successfully trained Addy not to touch all but ONE  ornament on the tree.  She gets to touch and play with one of the mouse ornaments and she goes and gets it almost instantly when she wakes up in the morning :)  She also calls every mouse "mimi mouse" and every muppet "elmo."  Oh she is so adorable.

Wednesday nights I come home from youth group and put Addy to bed, clean up the house, and enjoy 1 hour of me time (Jon is still at youth group).  This me time is especially nice when it is surrounded by a lit Christmas Tree and a Scentsy warmer warming Snowberry.  I love Christmas.

I reread this blog a month or so ago to set the tone for Christmas in our home this year.  It was challenging to me last year as we have been learning to navigate Christmas with a child.  I encourage you all to read it and take away what the Lord has for you. Regardless of your opinions of Santa or Gift Giving I think there is probably a nugget for almost everyone in there.  

Blessings to you this Christmas!