Christmas Tour of Homes

Click on the button above to tour some holiday homes! There are almost 1,000 of them on Mr. Linky - but don't worry, you don't have to visit them ALL! Just peek at a few - it's so much fun! And - welcome to those who stumbled upon me from BooMama's site!

All the trees in our house are "themed".

Foyer "Snowman" Tree:

This "snowman" tree is in our foyer. It has white garland & ribbon, snowflake ornaments, snowmen and all the makings (carrots & mittens even!). The tree topper is a top hat. The picture of the top hat didn't turn out too well - maybe I'll try again tomorrow.

Blown glass, Winnie the Pooh snowman ornament:

A Boyds' Bear dressed as a snowman:

"Mouseketeer" snowman:

Family Room "Sentimental" Tree:

This is the 12' tree in our family room. It's covered with sentimental stuff. All the ornaments are either hand-made (bought over the years at craft shows and some that my kids made), antique ornaments - some from RV's grandmother, some from my childhood, photo ornaments, or ornaments from places we've traveled.

This is a tiny little ornament - hand cut scissor art (can't remember the name of the art form):

Stockings:

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE stockings!!! When I was a kid, they were my very favorite part of Christmas!!!! And I love THESE stockings - from Lands End!

Pop Up's "Nutcracker" Tree:

He does have a nutcracker ornament collection started - but we've yet to claim a tree for it. In the meantime, you can enjoy his nutcracker collection ;-)

Pop Up decided a few years ago that he wanted to be just like his paternal grandmother and collect nutcrackers. I'd say he has a pretty good start on things! Wonder how many he'll leave home with when he gets his own place one day? We already need more space to display them! Every Christmas I realize just how challenged we are with our lack of table tops & horizontal surfaces around here!



Guest Bedroom "Antique Toy" tree:

Wooden red, beaded garland, chenille ornaments, rocking horses, stick horses, wooden blocks, etc.



Kitchen Trees:

Themes of these trees are: Gingerbread Men, Hope ornaments and a menagerie of food/candy ornaments (going to re-vamp that one as soon as I determine a new theme).


I picked up these ornaments on 12/24 at Joanne Fabrics for 70% off - and added them above the little pub table in our kitchen. I love their quirkiness:

Nativities:

This was a gift from Pop Up this Christmas. It's sitting on our mantle now. The colors match our house beautifully:

We have several other nativities -- a ceramic one that my MIL and SIL made, one just purchased in Cozumel, a Boyds' Bear nativity and a handful of others.

Mr. Christmas:

RV loves Christmas! This is a GOOD man! He bakes! He wraps! He decorates! He does it all!!! I know you're wondering ... what do **I** do? I shop! I blog! We make a good team!


I hope each of you has a wonderful Christmas and a blessed 2009!

Christmas Baking

We're finally getting around to some Christmas baking today:

Making our favorite traditional holiday cookie, Peanut Butter cookies with Reeses PB cup inserts.

5 star recipe here: Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

A Season of Giving

Yesterday I was so frustrated with my boys and their selfish attitudes that I told them they both were required to think of something we could do for OTHERS this holiday season. Pop Up immediately said he'd like to take some food to a food bank. This makes perfect sense for him, as he is definitely a "foodie" - and the more exotic, the better as far as he's concerned. His favorite tv channel? The Food Network.

So last night we made a Costco run and this afternoon dropped it off at a food donation center. Both boys exclaimed numerous times as we browsed up and down the aisles that it was their favorite trip ever to Costco!

This is his donation -- 150 pounds worth of food. The donation center weighed it. He said "it sure doesn't look like that much, it looks more like 1/3 of that." (some of it is covered in the photo)

This is what was at the center, waiting to be sorted. I told him we'd go back and help do that one day soon.

Meanwhile, Travel Trailer is still pondering what his gift to society will be. Thinking outside the box doesn't come naturally to him, so he's still trying to come up with something. I suggested that since toys are near & dear to his heart (much the same as food is with his brother) that perhaps Toys for Tots would be right up his alley. Dad suggested something with an animal shelter, as dogs rate nearly as high as toys (maybe moreso) in his book. I'll call them this afternoon and see what needs they have at the shelter.

On the way home from dropping off the food, Pop Up said "I don't often feel proud of the things I do, but when I do, I get a lump in my throat. I have a lump now." And that made me get one, too.

Best. Vacation. Ever!! (cont'd) ... Merry Christmas! ... part 11

Before our cruise (in early November) I had the boys photos taken for our Christmas cards. I guess the Girl Scouts taught me well - be prepared! Now, there's just one small problem. I like these more!! Oh, stink!!! What to do??

Well, you might just have to receive 2 photos in your Christmas card ... if I can't resist the urge to print these, as well. These were taken in the beautiful foyer of the Disney Magic. The tree and other Christmas decorations on the ship were simply gorgeous!

Merry Christmas!

Best. Vacation. Ever!! (cont'd) ... Castaway Cay ... part 10

Disney's Private Island ~ Castaway Cay

I think most everyone would agree that this was one of their favorite days. A perfect day at Castaway Cay, Disney's private island! In fact, I think it was one of the selling-features that got EVERYONE to re-book our next Disney Cruise while still onboard the ship!

There was tons to do - or not do!

My guys & Randolph, Dale & Lori went snorkeling. RV was a bit apprehensive, due to a previously somewhat undesirable snorkeling adventure ...... but this one was absolutely perfect! Calm, glassy seas and TONS of fish & coral.

Then we went for a 1-hour bike ride around the island, while Ted & Theresa went parasailing.

My guys played on the beach and in the open-air game room, while I visited the more serene, adults-only beach.

All the food was free on the island, as Disney takes it off the ship and in to an open-air buffet.

I'll just have to re-live it here for a few minutes, as while I'm typing this, I'm watching & listening to freezing rain tap on my window. A far cry from 10 days ago in paradise. Sigh.

Best. Vacation. Ever!! (cont'd) ... Hawaiian Shirts ... part 9

You know you are loved when you can get 20 people to cheerfully wear matching shirts!

These Hawaiian shirts have Disney characters & postcards all over them!

This picture was taken 10 minutes before dinner, so some of us had already changed into dinner clothes ... but they did oblige by wearing the shirts the rest of the day ;-)

Best. Vacation. Ever!! (cont'd) ... Christmas Stockings ... part 8

This was also a highlight of the cruise for me -- I just have so very many highlights, don't I????

My boys took a sewing class last year (which they LOVED) and because I can barely sew a button back on, I hired them to make 9 Disney Christmas stockings for us (hence, the Pictionary team name: The Stocking Stuffers).

The boys and I spent 1.5 years shopping at Joanne Fabrics, searching for just the right Disney fabric for each family, I hired someone to embroider them with the Disney font, then we hung the stockings with care, by each stateroom door. Each stocking had different fabric: Ted/Theresa = Pooh toille; Rob/Leslie & boys = Cars theme; Craig/Judy = various Disney icons; Dale/Lori = another Disney fabric with green/yellow/pink swirly Mickey heads; Doris = Tinkerbell; Peggy = Nemo themed fabric, Randolph = blue ocean Mickey theme; us = Mickey, Donald & Goofy with surfboards.

I also spent 1.5 years shopping for Disney stocking stuffers. I knew I had married the perfect man when he didn't even bat an eye about having to buy a big, new suitcase - dedicated solely to bringing our stocking stuffers on board.

Every morning the boys eagerly helped me stuff the stockings with: Disney pens & pencils, Disney notebooks & whiteboards, paint-by-number Disney Christmas art, Disney playing cards, Disney lip gloss & nail polish, Disney post-it-notes, Disney dominoes ....... and MORE (believe it or not!).

I had someone design a "Look Who's Cruising the Disney Magic" 8x11 magnet listing all of our names and the dates of the cruise. Rob/Leslie also had a personalized magnet with Cinderella, their wedding date and "Celebrating 15 years of magic" .... likewise, Dale/Lori had one on their stateroom door with "Celebrating 5 years of magic", that I had someone design for me.

Finding our block of rooms in an otherwise white, blah hallway of at least 100 other staterooms was a cinch! I didn't quite realize just how much it added to the whole feel of things, until the last night when we had to remove them. Blah!

We had several passerbys comment on how fabulous the stockings were and they couldn't believe it when I told them my 9 & 11 year old boys made them. I even had one person say that she'd pay them to make one for her family (she gave me her email addy to contact when we get home).

Fun, fun, fun stuff!!!!!!!!!!

Best. Vacation. Ever!! (cont'd) ... Palo's Brunch ... part 7

This might have been one of my most favorite parts of the cruise. An adult-only brunch at Palo's!

Incredible, amazing, unbelievable .... doesn't even begin to describe it. These photos just show a small sampling of the buffet ~ I don't have any photos of the specialty pizzas and made-to-order hot meals (chicken parmesean, seafood linguini, beef, etc).

You have to make separate reservations to eat in this restaurant on the ship .... we booked this brunch first thing upon embarkation without realizing it was right after our breakfast with the characters event. There were supposed to be 12 of us, but 4 opted out (since we had just had a breakfast event).

We, on the other hand, took the kids to eat with characters and used it as a photo op, while reserving our appetites for this magnificent brunch at Palo's.

It was a highlight of the cruise. The food was beyond compare .... and we had our own private, beautiful dining room with an ocean view! Talk about feeling pampered!

Best. Vacation. Ever!! (cont'd) ... Cozumel ... part 6

Mayan Ruins in Cozumel, Mexico:

Beach in Cozumel:

Pop Up in his new hat, purchased in Key West. I've never seen anyone who loves hats more than that boy -- he must have bought 5 of them on the trip .... including a genuine Mexican sombrero. Si!

Best. Vacation. Ever!! (cont'd) ... Pictionary ... part 5

This was supposed to be our day at Grand Cayman, but the seas were too rough to tender in (take a smaller boat from the ship to shore). Fortunately, we didn't feel the waves on the ship but they were big enough to prevent the smaller boat from being able to dock on shore. The Port Authority closed all ports that day, which was surely a bust for Grand Cayman tourism. There were 3 huge cruise ships just waiting to go ashore and spend their $ on excursions, souvenirs, etc. Oh well - next time!

So the cruise staff kicked it into high gear (and cancelled all staff's day off) by adding extra activities on the "surprise added day at sea". They added extra bingo games, movies, and other ship-wide activities, including Pictionary.

I couldn't begin to tell you how many countless hours of Pictionary we have played with these folks over the years - on ski retreats, beach trips, game nights, etc.

It all came flooding back - just like riding a bike. Yes, that's right -- you are looking at the Disney Magic's Pictionary Champs! We competed against about 20 other teams and won! Prizes included Disney DVD games & other misc. goodies.

Our team name was the "Stocking Stuffers" ..... more on that in a later post.

Best. Vacation. Ever!! (cont'd) ... Pirate Night ... part 4

Randolph, Travel Trailer & Pop Up

Craig, Judy & Kaitlyn

Ted & Theresa

Dale & Lori

Rob & Leslie

Judy & Leslie

Best. Vacation. Ever!! (cont'd) ... Formal Night ... part 3

Pop Up & his new Yahtzee buddy, Mr. Randolph ... they were also co-collaborators on the Gingerbread House decorating competition. Wa-hoo-wah!

Ted & Theresa

Rob & Leslie .... celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary!

Dale & Lori ... celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary!

Best. Vacation. Ever!! (cont'd) ... Days 1 & 2 ... part 2

This was inside the terminal before boarding the ship ..... getting checked in, etc. Captain Mickey, err, Pop Up, at your service.

Looking like the tourists that we are ..... with Minnie!

Beautiful ship!

This is Day 2 ~ at Key West, FL. We didn't do a whole lot that day - wandered around on our own walking tour of the city and found some Key Lime Pie (just happens to be one of my very favorite desserts) !

In this picture are: RV, Randolph, my Aunt Doris, Travel Trailer, Dale & Lori and Pop Up. And isn't the water beautiful? This photo really doesn't do it justice.

They were much more cooperative than RV's family (and for that, I am very grateful!). ... LOL - I was just reading this to RV and he said "and for that I will gladly vacation with them again soon!" His family fusses and squawks each and every time I ask for a group photo ~ you'd think I was asking them to saw off a limb. Then later, they say it's their very favorite photo (let me tell ya, that photo was no easy feat, with 29 family members on our first group trip to Disney in 2004).

Best. Vacation. Ever!! ... part 1

Very (very!!) rarely, does something as highly anticipated as our Reunion Cruise, live up to the expectations. I am so happy to report that it did NOT disappoint! Let me re-iterate .... expectations were sky HIGH!

I think quite possibly it was one of the BEST weeks of my entire life. No kidding. It was, dare I say, perfect!

The best part was being reunited with friends who have been part of our life for 23 years, through thick and through thin. We don't really have friends like that anymore (not to detract from our current friends in any way). We grew up with these people (see post below) and it was just like coming home. Even though we hadn't seen some of them in 10 years or more, we picked up like it was yesterday. Our current friends now are more centered around kids, etc .... but these older friends know US (the real us) - pre kids.

It truly was a little bit of heaven on earth.

There were 20 of us who sailed the Disney Magic ....... every day was jam-packed. Either with activities on the boat ---- Bingo, Pictionary, after-dinner-broadway-type shows, tea party with Alice & Mad Hatter, building a gingerbread house, comedy & magic shows, movies, brunch at Palo's, sitting poolside, just vegging out on deck 4, playing Yahtzee or cards ---- or days when we left the boat to explore a new land. 7 days just wasn't enough!

We set sail to the Western Caribbean -- with port calls in Key West and Cozumel, where we toured some Mayan ruins, although I thought the Mayan ruins in Belize on a prior cruise were more impressive. We were supposed to dock in Grand Cayman but the seas were too rough that day and the port authorities closed the port, since we would have had to tender in (take a smaller boat from the big ship to the land). We'll just have to hit it next time.

In fact, we all had such a tremendous vacation -- even those without kids! -- that we ALL re-booked for another rendezvous in 2010! 700-ish days to go. I can hardly wait!

I'll write more later but for now, need to go pick up the Pup Tent from his vacation at the kennel. We just got back in town this morning at 3:30 am.