My Christmas....

Well the celebrating is all done, it is time to take down and stow away the decorations and get ready to start a new year. I thought I would share a few pictures of my Christmas with all of you. This was the first year that everyone was not at my mom and dad's house on Christmas day in a very long time. My oldest nephew is going to school in Arizona and did not make it home. He was missed but we did all wish him a Merry Christmas on the phone. I think we are very blessed that we are all able to celebrate together for so long.

 This was my best gift...I just love it!

 Playing Apples to Apples

 The day after Christmas we took the boys to LARK toys where they have a handcarved merry-go -round but Isaiah didn't like it.

 He liked the train table

 He liked the book area alsp,

Well that is it...thanks for a great year of friendship! May you all have a wonderful 2015.

2 days...and counting...

Well it is 2 days before the big day. It is official now that we will have a brown Christmas here in Minnesota...that is a rare thing for sure. We were suppose to get 2-3 inches last night and this morning but just too warm.
Since the big day is almost here I thought I better share my Christmas decorations. I am still not as primitive as I would like but I am getting there.

This will probably be it until I come back and share how my Christ mas went so I want to wish you all a very Merry and Blessed Christmas. Thank you for visiting me!

My Giveaway Win

Isn't he just the cutest thing ever? I was blessed to win the fourth week of giveaways from dear sweet Brenda The Rusty Thimble. When I saw him when she posted it for the fourth week I was so hopeful and my dreams came true and I won him. I love how he looks on my Great Grandma's old rocking chair.
Brenda is very generous and has giveaway's each month on her blog. She already has a great January one posted so stop by her blog and enter.
Thanks again Brenda, it means so much to me!

Swap with Danice.

Good morning everyone. Well after a very cold and snowy November it looks like now we might not even have a white Christmas.  We have had warm weather above freezing and even into the 40's. It has been drizzling and foggy and just kinda icky. The only good thing is that I have my tree lights and candles going inside to be a little cozy!

So I have been in the cities babysitting a lot for my nephew and when I came home on Thursday there was a package waiting for me. I was so excited! It was my swap package from Amy's Merry Christmas swap. Danice from Homespun Hannah's Blog was my partner and I got some really neat things.

I got a great mug that will be perfect for hot chocolate. A cute snow woman, acute Santa ornament and a beautiful cardinal that my mom tried to take for herself.

I also got a beautiful wonderfully made quilted mat that must have taken a lot of time, a box of sewing needfuls with a cute pin cushion on top a set of clothespins and some great cinnamon smelling potpourri.

Thank you so much Danice for all of your gifts and thank you Amy for again hosting the swap!

December

Well it is here...December...the Christmas season...I am so excited. On Saturday I got all of my outside decorations out and put them up...not easy for one person to do but I don't do a lot. Anyway I plugged in the timer and when it started getting dark I waited and waited for the lights to come on...I was greatly disappointed. I guess the outside electrical outlet no longer works.  I left a message for my landlord but I am realistic and know my landlord...it won't be fixed. :( Maybe I will be surprised.

I am slowly working on my inside decor. I started out really well but I slowed down since Thanksgiving. I need to go and get some greens and it is cold so I will have to wait a few days.  I also babysit two days this week but I am hoping to get it ALL done by the weekend. As soon as December hits the time goes so fast.

Thanksgiving was a great family time. I missed having my brother Mike and his family here but they are all grown and it is harder to get everyone together. I am praying that we will all be together for Christmas. So anyway Jon and his family were here Thursday and Friday. Isaiah had so much fun and everyone really had fun watching him have fun!  Here are a few pictures,

He was a little sleepy when he came in so he cuddled in with Grandpa.

 Loved the car that Grandpa and Grandma got at at a garage sale.

 Family game time on Thursday night.

 Eating leftovers.

 Ivan

Ian.

 I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving also. I will be back hopefully soon with Christmas decor!