december 24 +25

It came and went so unbelievably fast, just like it does every year. We had a relaxing christmas eve with homemade pizza and a walk through the neighborhood. We only got a few hours of shut eye before we were up and downstairs tearing through our presents from each other before we headed over to my parents for christmas morning with the whole fam.

Christmas always make me feel like i'm walking on sunshine.. not because I got amazing gifts (though i did!) but because there is so much joy and selflessness from everyone around me. At the end of the night, laying in bed, I was getting kinda weepy thinking about the financial situations of so many people around me and how they were still so generous with everyone. I feel abundantly blessed..

I have a little case of the post christmas blues.. but that'll only linger for a couple days before the excitement of a fresh new year comes. I have a feeling 2013 is going to be awesome.

december 19th

i can't believe its already less than a week to Christmas. we've been busier than we ever have been and i think its making time go by faster than ever. its bittersweet. in between regular life stuff we've been squeezing in as many christmas dates as possible, going to christmas parties (is it lame to admit this is kind of the first year we've gone to real ones? usually the christmas parties i'm used to is josh and i and a friend or two), and watching one too many cheesy christmas movies. I still have a few small odds and ends to get before next week and a whole lot of wrapping to do.. and a couple handmade gifts to make still (yikes!).. so i'll be spending the next few days ignoring a few chores and soaking in that extra special feeling thats in the air this time of year.. i know thats SO cheesy.. but i guarantee you know "the feeling".

And let's all keep praying for the families in Connecticut.. I cannot even fathom what they are going through. This was a powerful statement from a father of one of the victims.. heartbreaking. Jesus please bring healing to those families...

catching up: birthday

My birthday was the day before thanksgiving this year, and in keeping with our tradition we set up our tree and christmas decorations. We love christmas alot alot alot so we like to be all decked out.. but this year our space is quite a big larger and it felt a little sparse at first (you'll see). We fixed that with a few trips to the store :)
gifts from josh...






and our sad attempt at jumping pictures this year:



You can see last years set-up here!

Oh Tannenbaum

December snuck up on all of us, didn't it? As of 11pm last night I finished all my orders from November (phew!) and I'm taking some time off to enjoy the holidays and take a few breathers. Which means I'll have adequate time to spend making this blog what I really want it to be.. which is exciting! I'm also hoping for adequate time to make dinners and keep the house tidy.. those things definitely aren't on the top of the list when i'm busy with orders.

But anyway! We went to a farm thanksgiving weekend to cut down a couple trees for our house.. one big (9ft), one little (6ft). I grew up across the street from a ginormous christmas tree farm so i was pretty familiar with the drill. It always feels extra fun to pick your tree from a mini forest and saw the little thing down.

I'll be back soon with a christmasy tour of our house.. it's so cozy right now!

one last advent date..

We put a starbucks giftcard to good use and decided on one last advent calendar date for the season. I had already had coffee so I got a peppermint hot chocolate which pretty much tastes like a melted peppermint patty.. not bad! I was also hoping for a cakepop but they were sold out!

Farewell advent calendar activities.. till next year!

--Merry Christmas eve!--

christmas everywhere.

And we're less than a week away now! I hope your days are full of tons of christmasy activities this week.. I know ours is packed to the brim.
p.s. isn't peacock lane magical?

DIY Terrarium ornaments

Hello! I just want to pop in real quick to let you know that I'm guest posting over on the lovely Sunshine and Carousels blog. I was so happy to be able to contribute to the Making Christmas series. I made the easiest ever terrarium ornament. Last minute gift idea? I think so! Take a peek!

DIY Terrarium ornament

a favorite tradition: advent calendar

Yesterday was December 1st which meant putting up and starting our advent calendar. It's easily one of our favorite christmas traditions, i almost wish we could keep it up all year. We take turns each day filling the envelope with a special christmasy date or activity, and the occasional small gift. I made a new one this year and I love it.. Simple and easy! It's definitely not too late to make one, even a 20 day calendar is better than none. i cannot stress enough how fun it is.. do it!







December, please go by slowly.