Just hangin out..

That is pretty much all we have been doing. I love not having a schedule, we play when we want,
we bake when we want, we nap when we want blah blah blah. We have been caroling with the neighbors, went and looked at Christmas lights (I have some amazing pictures of that, we found a house whose lights were set to music, much like the movie Deck the Halls, so cool) We finished our Gingerbread house yesterday.

It is funny how much Lindsey's decorating has evolved over the years, when she was younger the more icing and candy the better, now simpler is better. She must be picking that up from David and I. Funny.

I am 99.9% finished with my Christmas shopping, I only leave a margin of error because I am sure I will have forgotten something. I don't think so but anyhoo.

I hear *creatures stirring* downstairs, better go see who's up.

Hooray!

Today begins the first day of Lindsey's winter break. I have finished up my monogramming orders and will not be taking any last minute ones so that the girls and I can spend some good quality time together. We have gingerbread houses to decorate, cookies and other sweet treats to bake and whatever else we decide we want to do. We have a cookie swap to attend on Monday, which will be lots of fun too.

I plan to post as much as possible so you can see what we are getting into around here Mom (wish you were here). I am also trying to keep up with my December Daily Journal. I have taken the pics but they have not made it to the journal yet, hopefully I can get caught up on that as well. What are you all up to these last few days before Christmas?

Twelve trees

As promised, here they are. I finally remembered to take a picture of the tree on the front porch after dark.

1. Master Bedroom Tree
2. Lindsey's Room
3. Mallory's Room
4. The Girl's Bathroom
5. Memphis Tiger Tree in Guest Bedroom
6. Dining Room Tree - All of our family ornaments we have collected over the last 11 years.
7. Santa Tree in the Entry Way/Living Room
8. Family Room Tree
9. Feather Tree #1 on Mantel
10. Feather Tree # 2 on Mantel
11. Wall Tree in Master Bathroom Window
12. Front Porch

I know, I know that is a lot of trees, but oh well. We like putting them up. :)

She did it...

Wednesday, Lindsey went to have her 10 inch ponytail cut off to donate to Beautiful Lengths. She has been growing her hair out since 1st grade (two years) and decided in 2nd grade that she would donate it once she got to 10 inches. She told me back during the summer she hoped it would be long enough to donate by December. I have never seen her so excited about cutting her hair, she has such a big heart, always so thoughtful and giving. I think she picked the perfect time of the year to do such a fabulous thing.

Tara had to get out the BIG scissors, Lindsey has my super thick hair, which I got from my Mom.

right after she cut it off.

Here is Lindsey with Tara of Studio Stacy Salon. Miss Tara ROCKS!!!
I am pretty sure Tara gave Lindsey her first haircut. Tara has been cutting David's hair since he moved to Memphis back in the 80s. She is so talented, always does a fantastic job. Such a great lady!

I love Lindsey's new *do*, very grown-up.

These could have been lost memories

But because I am at home now, they are not. They are tucked away with all of the other fabulous memories I have.

Mallory is getting her baby ready for a nap:

then goes into the den and falls asleep on the fold out floor chair

*Sweet little angel*

I'm Ready...sort of

I am pretty much finished with decorating for Christmas, a few minor things left and that is it. I spent Saturday and Sunday putting up the decos, yes I put up twelve trees again ( I will post pics this year). Last year I made these advent boxes for the girls to count down the days until Christmas. I hung them on the wall last year but after a small mishap with the poster putty I was forbidden to put them back on the wall, so this is what I came up with:




I think it looks much better than the display last year, what do you think?


Off to finish up the Christmas cards, yeah baby. Now if I could get that excited about shopping I would be all set.