Pre-Christmas madness

We've been getting ready for Christmas these past few weeks and boy, it's been busy! Lots of family parties (2 more to go), tons of shopping (we are now very poor), too much junk food from neighbors, and lots of wrapping to do.

We got up one of our two Christmas trees (my parents gave us there old one, so now we have two fake ones.) and a few decorations, and hopefully we'll get up more before the big day.

This is also the tree :D

Present making prep, aka a giant mess of our table.

Chocolate covered cherry mice I made to bring to my dad's side of the family Christmas party.

So cute!

I was surprised how easy and quick these were to make. I'm making white mice for the Thacker party.

My "waste of time" (per Steven)

I got this loopy metal rod at Pier 1 years ago on clearance for a few bucks. I wasn't sure what to use it for, but found it works perfect for Christmas cards!

Our Christmas tree train

I found these hanging frames at the thrift store, painted them and stuck them all over our tree with pictures of us and our family.

My family grew up with these little chocolate Christmas countdowns. I bought one for us to try. Super cheap chocolate (read: gross), but fun none the less.

Not bad for Clearance ribbon, leftover wedding decorations and all a dollar and thrift store decorations!

I've been keeping all of Steven's gifts in a box in our family room. I had to make a note so he wouldn't peek:

And what's Christmas without a little fruitcake! I personally love the stuff.

Off to wrap more presents!

Bacon

How to make a B.L.T.

We love our grill! Even enough to grill in the snow. Sexy PJ's, no?

And a new haircut too.  Ow ow.

I spent Thursday morning organizing our pantry. Holy COW it feels good to have it cleaned! Baskets are life savers for organizing and I buy tons every time I go to the D. I.

Blurry sisters picture. yay!

Tonight we celebrated Carter's 6th birthday at Randy and Becky's house. I like to liven up my cards a bit :)

Eli loved the cupcakes!

I think Carter loves being the center of attention.

Becky's super hero cupcakes

 "Spider Bat" - Cater's secret identity/super hero that he imagined and drew up a design for a suit. Becky's amazing sister actually made the suit off of Carter's design and gave it as a gift. Every little boy's dream. This is his "superhero face"

The cape

Rock em' Sock em' robots was one of the gifts. I think the adults had more fun with the game than the kids

Afterwards Steven and I went around Magna and by Winder Dairy to see the lights on people's houses. Something we both did as kids and wanted to do this year.

We're busy with Christmas these days and have a full Calendar of events up until Christmas day. We got a new queen size mattress that we love, our house decorated with lights and and working away at getting our house organized. Life is great!