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Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Eye Candy...

Welcome to our home for the holidays!


The reindeer and the wreath will be the first to greet you...


You've seen the tree...

In the kitchen we are always ready to bake...

We have many nativity scenes in our home. This is the only one the kids are not allowed to play with. Although, I found Andy trying to hang the baby Jesus from the Angel at the top. I nearly had a heart attack!


A close friend gave us this wooden set for a wedding gift. It was carved in Bethlehem. I'd tell you his name, but then I'd have to kill you since he is an FBI agent. tee hee:)


This one makes me happy, so it stays up all year long.


Many of the people and animals are missing body parts from years of play. Cracks me up that the kids still love it...


The Christmas cards go in this blue snowman bowl...


Found these little trees at target last year in the after Christmas sales. Bought a set for our family room, and one set for each of the kid's rooms. They love using it as their night light.


This built in nook was hard to photograph, but this is where I put all of the years of Santa photos.

On the dining room table are these festive contemporary trees, and a couple of adorable poinsettias sprinkled with glitter.


In the family room is Santa and his sleigh holding our stockings for the big day.


One of our first purchases as a couple was this funny woven deer we found in Lake Tahoe. At Christmas time he becomes Rudolph.


Here it is all pulled together.

In the living room more Christmas cheer...



These are our Advent trees filled with yummy goodies to help count down the days until Christmas.


A basket of Christmas books by the fireplace. Just add a warm blanket, a cup of cider, and a soft lap.


Elf On The Shelf is one of our favorite Christmas traditions. Every night he disappears to report to Santa our Christmas wishes, as well as, who was naughty and nice. Then he magically returns to our home and hides in a new location. The kids can't wait to get up each morning to see where he might be hiding!

Couldn't resist introducing you to our "living Christmas tree." Andy has a lot of Christmas spirit and spent the morning drawing, cutting, and taping ornaments to his carefully picked outfit of green and brown. Then we took our pup for a walk and he imagined he was in a parade and waved at all of the people driving by.

Is there anything more wonderful than seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child?

36 comments:

Sue said...

Everything looks great. I love the reindeer above the fireplace! We always got out the Christmas books and kept them near the fireplace...it is almost time to start that tradition again with the little grandbabes. We have them coming Saturday afternoon to have Christmas with us. My daughter, who has only gotten to be with them once, sent the Hallmark recorded Night Before Christmas to them, so they would get to know her voice. She misses being a hands on aunt! Your little guy is so cute:)

Sue

Lee said...

I think your son makes the best decoration.

MommyLovesStilettos said...

I love your Christmas decor!

Unknown said...

what a beautifully decorated home...and, ahem...boy!

Unknown said...

Oh Lee stole my thunder. I was going to say..."By far, the best decoration of all is your living Christmas tree!"

Willoughby said...

Absolutely gorgeous! You make me feel like a big slacker! We're getting our tree this weekend, so I'll be catching up soon.

Raoulysgirl said...

Beautiful photos! The nativity scenes are probably my favorite...although the cutie at the end runs a close second!!!

Tattoos and Teething Rings said...

Your house looks like a Christmas display at Macy's! I'd totally hate your guts if you weren't such a sweetie...I only have up the advent calendar village...ugh. One more thing I need to do!

carissajade said...

Beautiful!! You are so festive. I hope one day I have the home/energy/money/christmas spirit to decorate a home. But at least I can look at yours!

Kathy said...

You have done a beautiful job with your decorating! I especially love the nativity scenes! Is the wreath made of blue spruce?

Anonymous said...

It's Christmas fo sho at your place! Love the little Christmas trees. I might have to hit up Target after Christmas and see if they have some. G would love to have one in her room...she tells the Christmas tree in our family room 'night, night' every night before she goes to bed.

MJ said...

I'm jealous!!! I want to finish my Willow Tree Nativity so bad, but instead of spending the money on me and my wants, I spend it on the kiddos. One day I will finish it!
Once again, your house is beautifully decorated! Thank you for sharing!

elvira pajarola said...

.......Thousand Decoation- Ideas...Magnifici!!!!!!!!!!!
I specially love the decorations on the fireplaces......very sweet!!!
And the funny dolce boy is really a star!!!!!!!!!
ciao
elvira

Cameron said...

I'm partial to the cute Reindeer on duty!!!
thanks for sharing, so much fun and so festive!
Cameron
www.conquerthemonkey.com

Ed said...

Now see, the pictures I can see at work.

And you place looks awesome.

It's like a Christmas Store or something.

Corrie Howe said...

Love the reindeer over the fireplace. I have a Precious Memories Nativity scene, It takes up a full shelf on my China hutch. It stays up year round too.

Matty said...

You really are in the Christmas spirit. It looks like a lot of effort went into everything, but the reward is beautiful. I envy you because we haven't even started the decorations yet. This is my inspiration.

Bibi @ Bibi's Culinary Journey said...

Your house looks beautiful. So festive and ready for the holidays.

nope said...

I LOVE your decorations Holly; your house looks so festive.

I have the same wooden nativity! My MIL had it for years and then she passed it on to me. I love it because the kids can play with it.

Lothiriel said...

I always love looking at pictures you post! You have like the bestest decorations!!! It's so perfect; I'm jealous! =D

(stop by, have an award for you)

Just A Normal Mom said...

It looks beautiful! I wish my house was so put together - it is currently in a state of disarray with everything half decorated. I'm finishing by Saturday!
I love the Elf tradition - that is GREAT!
***Ally

Martha said...

Your home is beautiful, and so warm and inviting. Wish I could stop by and have that cup of coffee (as I sit and drink my Bailey's and coffee tonight after a busy day!) I love Christmas decorations, but we don't have much surface space to put out many of our hundreds of decorations and collectibles. I need to work on something - just found out we are have Christmas Eve HERE! 8 adults and 4 kids, not huge but enough!

HeartsMakeFamilies said...

Your home is beautiful. All the Christmas stuff. I wish I could be that organized. We have the tree up but no decorations on it. We do have the outside done though.

I actually was thinking about purchasing the Elf on the Shelf this year. My kids are so excited about Christmas.

I'm stopping over from Midday Escapades. I'm glad you enjoyed my jokes on Monday.

I'm following your blog now. I love it.

ScoMan said...

The reindeer greeting people is a cool idea. And so is the bowl for the Christmas cards.

Formerly known as Frau said...

Wow I love your house with all the decorations its so homey and festive.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

This is festive and homey! I am a big fan of nativities; I love each of yours.

From whence came the advent trees??

Unknown said...

What gorgeous decorations! Love everything. p.s. I love that you h ave Madeline's Christmas. We don't have that one (yet), but we love the Madeline series and even though we're Jewish, I think we'll have to add that one to our collection. Happy Holidays!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for the lovely tour. I also love nativity sets and really enjoyed seeing yours. Aw, last pic says it all!

Terra said...

I adore all of your nativity scenes and it is good you let your children play with all of them, except the most delicate one.
The woven reindeer is cute, and the Elf on the Shelf sounds like a fun tradition.
Thanks for your comments on my blogs and I am following your blog now.

Liz in Virginia said...

We collect nativities too -- as well as ornaments that depict the Holy Family. We also put out our basket of Christmas stories. I still catch the tall boy reading them (don't tell him he's been seen).

Great post, Holly!

-- Liz

Holly Lefevre said...

Can I come to your house and not worry about decorating mine...I tired with two little helpers yesterday...need I say more...You should link up to the Christmas Blog Fest tomorrow it is about decorating for the holidays...if I don;t get my act together I won't be linking up. I personally think nothing beats your living Christmas tree!
Holly

Project Survive said...

i LOVE your mantel! So cute!!

Cathy said...

Love all the decorations! Very festive!!

Anonymous said...

I love everything especially the woven deer! It totally cracks me up!!!

Tracie said...

I like the living tree the best! Too cute!

elvira pajarola said...

Dear Holly......thanks so much for stepping back in my "Paradise"....I just love it...!
....even if it takes sometimes longer.....don't ever mind:
Christmas-Preparings and following your sweet Children and beautiful Family of yours: There isn't anything more important !!!!!!!!
Have a wonderful Time!!!
ciao elvira
(you made me smiling: si, si, it's true: Italy's Sons LOVE MAMA's!!!)