christmas at my house this year

This week we finally got a taste of winter!  It's been c-c-c-cold with temps around 27-32 degrees each day when I drop the kids off at school.  Our pool has had a layer of ice across it every morning which provides much entertainment.  Someone suggested a Polar Bear plunge on Christmas Day . . . . I think we're all going to pass!  But I love the little nip in the air and the opportunity to wear sweaters and scarves.  Yay!

My in-laws arrived for the holidays and it is shaping up to be a great Christmas.  Last night we watched A Christmas Carol with Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart).  It's our very favorite version.  It was awesome when Anna asked "How did Captain Picard get from Star Trek to this movie?"  Yes, our 7 year old daughter is also a Trekkie.

This morning I just wanted to share a little look at our house, decorated for Christmas this year.

My December Daily albums (2008 and 2010).  Both unfinished, but I love them anyway.  The art was a gift from Paige last year.

 Counting down with LEGO

 Christmas stockings

 And Christmas books.  A Bad Kitty Christmas was our new book this year.

 I've had the glitter wire trees for yeeaarrss . . . and the wood cut-out trees are new from West Elm.  Love my little forest.

And now a few photos that we will call, "playing with christmas light bokeh"

I love having some childhood photos on display

My "Shannon" star from Piggy & Dirt.  When I browsed through their shop last year they actually had a star named "Shannon"!  You know I could not pass that one up.  And, I was sooo happy when I finally unpacked this from my boxes earlier this month.

 Christmas Mice made by my Grandma Margaret a long time ago.

The kids' Christmas tree and coffee filter snowflakes lining the banister

Today it is Sunday.  Which means watching Music and the Spoken Word (with Alfie Boe and Tom Brokaw for the Christmas special) and going to church.  I have a breakfast casserole in the oven right now . . . . mmmm.  This afternoon we are making sugar cookies.  I think Grammer Valerie has a nativity project for the kids.  Yesterday the kids opened the box to the LEGO Star Wars Super Star Destroyer they got last year for Christmas (this was our first chance to dig into it) so building will continue today.  And I'm going to have a wrapping party tonight! 

A day full of family, the gospel, cooking, Christmas music, sharing, playing . . . perfect!

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The Music and the Spoken Word Christmas Special today was phenomenal!  I wish I could provide a link for viewing, but there was a one-time re-broadcast this morning. :(  You can read an article about it HERE, including a short summary of the story of the Candy Bomber.