Come in from the cold!

I'm so glad you're here. I've been watching for you all day. It really is cold out there. This morning I found Sam getting ready to go to school. He had an old coat on that I suspect he was going to put his new coat over and under that he had five sweat shirts on. Plus his snow pants. He reminded me of Randy from A Christmas Story.

Do you like how I display my Christmas Cards here on the closet door. I like it because it makes me feel like I have my sweet friends around me for the holidays. Last year the door was full and I'm hoping to see that way again this year.

Here is a close up of Sam's Christmas art work, which I also hung on the door. Can you tell what is says? He spelled Hallelujah, exactly how he pronounces it. I asked him why he drew a chick, because it's more of an Easter thing to draw rather than Christmas.... He informed me it's a penguin. Please come in and sit down. By now I'm sure you have noticed the heavenly sound of "Messiah" playing quietly in the background.Please, don't mind the sleeping children. Or the laundry waiting to be folded hiding behind the couch. Do you like our tree? It's the first time we haven't had a real tree since we've been married. We were feeling too poor to buy a real one this year. Matt's parents were kind enough to loan this artificial one to us. Notice there is no star on top. It broke last year. It's a iron star that is welded to it's base (the part that holds it onto the tree). Last year I hot glued it back together and it lasted about 2 hours and then we just propped it up. Apparently hot glue doesn't work on metal. We decided to skip the star topper this year.
Step closer so I can show you some of my favorite ornaments. This one is a snow baby that was given to me by my sister, Liz. And a Santa painted on a tongue depressor by my friend Maria, who shared her sweet baby Zachary with me.

This is another Santa painted by Maria.

This is a sparkly egg that I made one year to give to family members. I made it from a real egg.

Of course I have a Gryffindor Ornament... Did you doubt me?

This is where we hang our stockings because we don't have a fireplace, therefore we don't have a mantle.

Here is my Reindeer collection. I didn't know I was collecting them but they are here so I must be. The tall wooden one we inherited from Grandma Bea, Matt bought the middle one for me the first Christmas after we were married. He bought it from a gift wrap fundraiser some one's kid was doing at work. When his paw is squeezed gentle Christmas music tinkles in the air. And I don't recall where the little one came from but he is by far the most annoying. He sings Jingle Bells and has a Latin accent and a bit of a smokers rasp. The rule is you only get to turn him on once a day. He also jiggles back and forth in a little bit of a dance. Now that I'm looking and actually thinking about these, I'm pretty sure the middle one is a moose.

Emmy Lou and I have been baking fools. (I watch her and her baby brother during the day)
Would you like to frost some sugar cookies with us?

Would you like some homemade bread and hot cocoa? I have already warmed the water.... I promise the water didn't come from yellow snow.

Come get comfortable in the dining room.
This is my beautiful Nativity that my Aunt Nancy gave me one year. I think I was still in high school. I love having it out. It is a beautiful reminder of what the Christmas Season is all about. Here at our home, we love the Savior and his atoning sacrifice. We are grateful for his loving example, and we enjoy this special time of year when we get to think of him and worship him more often through thought and music, and remember the hope he brings to our lives.

We also hope you and yours have a happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas.

Love, THE