Catching up . . . . Christmas 2012

It's officially 2012! Hope everyone had a Happy New Year and wonderful Christmas! I can't believe it's all over! Boy did it go by fast! Too fast! I'm always sad when the Christmas season is over! It's the excitement of family getting together, gift giving, and just the magical feeling in the air. But it has come and gone and now it's back to the busy, day to day schedule! I'm needing to get back in gear and work, work, work, but I have been under the weather this week with a terrible cold! Hubby had it last week and now I have it! No fun at all! But I think I'm starting to get well!

Wanted to share photos and more about our Christmas. I'm going to pick only my favorite photos so I don't do a photo overload - however there will still be several - so bear with me!

Let's start with Christmas Eve! We did our traditional Christmas Eve eats & treats, went to church, and exchanged a few gifts (which is always new Christmas PJ's!) We've been opening new pajamas on Christmas Eve since I was a little girl. My Mom started that tradition and I still look forward to it each year!

Me and my fam at church

My Parents

Favorite part of church on Christmas Eve . . . . the candlelight service! So beautiful!

A few Christmas Eve eats & treats!

Opening Christmas PJ's

My brother playing some Christmas tunes!

My sweet boys!

Me & Ashley

Ashley & my Brother

Mom & me!

Christmas morning & STOCKINGS!! I love goodies in stockings!

Our little family on Christmas morning before the gift giving and gift opening fun!

My brother playing with M's new guitar I got him!

Coffee & the German Christmas cake, Marzipan Stollen. My maiden name and dad's side of the family is German and I started the tradition of eating Stollen on Christmas several years ago when I learned about it from working at the German jewelry company, Charlotte!

Dad opening a gift from me - I purchased a drawing of downtown Memphis from a local artist over the summer, then got it framed. My parents lived in Memphis for many years and recently moved to TX and I wanted him to have a part of Memphis at their new home or at his office at work! He loves Beale Street and the blues and his favorite place is Rum Boogies and BB Kings - so this was just perfect because it shows both!

Table set for Christmas dinner!

Our shrimp cocktails we have before Christmas dinner every year!

Our annual Beef Wellington made by my mom! She's been making this for 28 years!!! We always look forward to it! Such a great tradition she started! Not to mention - DELISH!!

My Mom and my brother! This was right after dinner and clearing the table and she still looks great after literally being in the kitchen ALL day!

Us!

Such a wonderful Christmas!! So blessed!

BUSY December

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We sure did! It was great spending time with my family, and enjoying all of the wonderful eats and treats!

I have a lot of pictures to post, but am not going to take time to do that today. It's my hubby's birthday!! He is 33! I have to get out and run a few errands before he gets home from work today. My brother is still here and instead of us all going out to dinner tonight, I am going to a do a "favorite things" meal and get some of his favorite foods. Not going to be the healthiest meal - but it will be his favorite things that he doesn't eat that often!

Have a great week and I will be back in a few days! We will be celebrating our 4th anniversary on the 29th! We have a lot going on in December! Christmas, hubby's birthday on the 27th, then our anniversary on the 29th! Whew! Let's just hope we don't have kids in December! lol!!

{Here is one photo of me on Christmas night! You can't really tell, but I was wearing some new, beautiful green earrings! A lot like the ones that Angelina Jolie wore one year to the Oscars! Love them - just hard to tell with me standing against a green tree!}

Christmas Cheer at Home {Living Room}

Christmas is almost here! Can't wait to have my parents get here tomorrow and enjoy time with them along with my brother! I've been doing a little cooking, cleaning and tidying up around the house awaiting their arrival!

These are my last photos to post of Christmas cheer at home!

Last year M got me this book "Dogs in VOGUE" - I love it!!

These are our stockings. We received them as a wedding gift 4 years ago when we got married! It was the perfect gift since we got married in December!

I sure love getting to enjoy my Mom's baby grand piano, which is staying at my house for a while. I know she will be glad to get it moved to Dallas soon since they just moved there! It sure is nice having it here around the holidays though. I really need to take advantage of it and start playing again before it goes to Dallas! I'm awfully rusty!!

Someone is getting a cool piece of art! heehee

Every year it's a must that I make a few arrangements with cranberries and hydrangeas! Love it!!

On a sad note - M's Papa Joe, who was the only grandfather figure he had growing up, passed away this week. His funeral is tomorrow! Mike has always told the neatest and funniest stories about him and I had the pleasure of getting to know him as well! Such a neat man that will be missed! Any loss is sad with out a doubt - but this time of year it's always hard. But all is well and we remember him and the good times and stories!

If I'm not back tomorrow - Merry Christmas to you ALL! Have a safe and happy holiday with lots of love, joy, gratitude and thankfulness! And most of all - remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas!!

Christmas Cheer at Home {Dining Room}

How was everyone's weekend? Got all your shopping done? I am done! I had to get out today and do a few last things for my hubby's side of the family - but that's it! I am done with the long lines! Besides the grocery of course - got to put my list together this week - with the help of my Mom since she is the one that makes our traditional Beef Wellington for Christmas dinner. She's been doing that for over 25 years, since I was a little girl!

Now for more Christmas cheer! Our main tree is in our dining room, which is right off of our living room. It's our "fancy" tree I guess you could say. It's usually the traditional red and gold because that's what goes well with the colors in that part of the house. However, this year I bought some turquoise ornaments to add to the tree. I have a painting in our dining room that has a touch of blue - so I thought adding that color would be a nice touch! I also got drapes before Thanksgiving - which I think just makes the room! I'm so glad we got them before Christmas!

6 Days 'till Christmas! Can't wait! I can't wait to be with my Mom, Dad, Brother & hubby, go to church and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and see their faces when they open some of the fun, special surprises I have in store!!

Merry Christmas Week!

Christmas Card 2011

{front of card}

{back of card}

I did half in color, half in black and white. I think they turned out pretty cute considering we didn't have time to have professional photos taken this year.

Christmas Cheer at Home {Den/Breakfast Room}

Finally getting around to posting photos of some of my Christmas decor. This post will be of the den and breakfast room area. Which is in black and white - my favorite color combo of all time and for any occasion. I did b&w for my wedding too, which was in December - so obviously I'm a black and white fanatic!

Gathered candlesticks, ornaments & a disco ball I already had to decorate the mantel

This was the CUTEST thing! While I was taking pictures, Mr. Big hopped up to the window! I think he was looking for Santa! ;)

I have had this tree since I was 19! I was in my first apartment in college and my bestfriend's mom was thinking of getting rid of this tree and then gave it to me. I was SO happy to get it because it made the adjustment of living on my own, in my first apartment and away from my family for the first time - feel more like home! I think that first year I had it, all I had on it were lights - not many ornaments - but I loved it!! Mike wanted to get rid of it this year and get a new one - but I said no! As long as it does not completely fall apart - I will continue to use it as long as I can! Thanks Mrs. Jolliff! I think of you every year I get this tree out!

I usually put the gifts for M's family under this tree - and then our gifts under our other tree.

Used some old frames to decorate the tree and put photos from our wedding day {December 29} in them.

Mr. Big says "Merry Christmas!"