Christmas Tour

Welcome to our home.  The lights are turned down low - way low...and it's not because I'm a terrible photographer who wants to take pictures without a flash but is not familiar with her camera settings, still.  No, it's because you are visiting at night and we always have this golden glow in our home :).  

When it comes to Christmas decorations there's a battle between spouses, one wanting a "woodland Christmas" and the other wanting "as bright as you can get Christmas."  Notice which side I'm on - the one with the pretty name.  What we settled into is the Christmas decorations that are just right for us.  The ones we have collected throughout our 15 years together.  Many are gifts we will treasure each year.  

We will start at our front door...

This is our entry, looking into our living room. The wreath to the right is made from clothespins by my little nephew/Godson, "Love Bandit" when he was only 5 or 6.  I love it.

This is our tree this year which has a story all it's own.  Read the story here.

A few presents already from the organized side of our family (that would not be the side I descend from):  

This is my Mom's stable.  This is a treasure.  I'm so proud to see the girls eager to set it up at the start of every Christmas season.  I can almost imagine my Mom's proud smile.  It holds many memories of the treasured Christmases with my Mom.

Unfortunately this is a cat attacking the Prince of Peace.  He doesn't know Who he's messing with.  This is almost life size and brings our focus back to why we are celebrating Christmas.  (of course when the rascal Oliver is not around)

  
Our piano with a Christmas village and banners overhead.

This is a view from our second story.  We have a lighted Angel inside.  We like that we can see the top of our Christmas tree from the second story.

Our stair Christmas tree decorated with "candy" ornaments.  

This is a manger given to us by Rod's Mom and Husband.  It is nice we have a manger from both Mothers to treasure.  I kept our new statue of the Blessed Mother with the manger.  

Have you seen this set?  Lovely how Mary can hold the baby Jesus.

A view looking into our family room from the kitchen.  Don't mind the coats hanging over the chair ready for use the next morning.  

One of my favorite areas, especially on Christmas morning when the stockings are full from Santa's visit and confirms they made it another year on the good list.  Rod's Mom crocheted the three center stockings for the girls.  I just love them.  She gave us the two stockings on the end for our wedding.  Christmas gifts are wonderful gifts for weddings because you continue to remember the person who gave them to you each year.

A few embellishments in the kitchen.  Kaye received this tea set when she was a baby from Aunt S.  We love setting this out each year.  

Rod wondered why I put this one in but I love the Kennedy's - the Camelot side.  These were from our matchmaker, Aunt Levia.  A few pine cones and berries to make it a little more festive.
I don't put much in the kitchen other than a few things here and there.

Our Advent wreath on the kitchen table.  The rose candle today means we are soon to greet the newborn King.

Thank you for visiting.  Merry Christmas!

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay,

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray!

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care

And take us to Heaven, to Live with Thee there.

Visit more homes on the Christmas Tour over at Boo Mama's.   I'm #405