[Belated] Christmas Crafts

This post is a tad belated... but I still wanted to share so read on!

 My husband and I have a tradition of creating Christmas crafts together each year.
The first year we painted ornaments. The second year we decorated picture frames.
This is our third year and we seem to be getting more ambitious!

This year, inspired by a picture in a magazine, my amazingly talented husband MADE these items from scratch in his garage for us to decorate!
I'm so impressed by his talent.
The truck is meant to resemble our truck, so obviously he took all of the little details seriously.

 I got out everything we needed to decorate and we got started.

Here's how the pieces evolved: 

 The trees and the truck were painted.
We were a bit late finishing the craft this year, but these items will definitely make for a nice display in Christmas 2014.

The boxes were decorated with Christmas scrapbook paper using Mod Podge.
I'm excited to add some ribbons, labels, and other little touches when I put them out next year.
Who knows... maybe I'll even hide a gift in one box one year!

This marks the official end to our Christmas season here.
I even packed these decorations up for head to Christmas storage.
I'm sure next years craft will look very different, as it has to include the new baby somehow.
Little hands or footprints? Is 11 months too small for finger painting?
Who knows!  Lots to look forward to!
Hope you liked our 2013 Christmas craft :)

{xoxo}

Home for the Holidays

 I'm not quite ready to emerge from my Christmas cacoon yet. 

I'm eating chocolates for breakfast, soaking up time with family that lives far away, savouring the last batch of nuts & bolts, and lounging in my pajamas with a husband that doesn't have to go back to work for a few more days. 

Finally, I'm trying to take in the last couple of weeks without a baby around. 

The last Christmas with just the two of us. 

It was a very peaceful Christmas at home for the holidays. 

Our Christmas in Photos: 

 Baking Christmas pies with my niece and nephew!

Visiting with family :) 

Beppe learning how to text!! 

(sorry it's blurry... but the memory was still worth posting!)

And then it was Christmas day. 

At home. Just the two of us :) 

Reading the Christmas story at home via the iPad :) 

Just look at that smile!! 

Inside his big box was a drill press for his garage! Inside my big box was a sewing machine! 

We both got a bit spoiled this year :) 

 Christmas at Beppe's (Grandmas) involved funny gifts, games, and a delicious turkey :) 

Puppies wearing their new Christmas scarves!

(which to everyone's surprise, stayed on ALL day!)

Merry Christmas!! 

Now back to my Christmas cacoon :) 

{xoxo}

Merry Christmas

I hope you are enjoying the holidays as much as we are! 

I pray your Christmas season is filled with joyful moments and blessings. 

May we all remember the true reason for the season, and give thanks for the grace and love that God, our heavenly Father, displayed for us in sending his one and only son to Earth. 

Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

Merry Christmas from our little family of four (almost 5!) to yours :)
God Bless! 

{xoxo}

Christmas Fondue

This Christmas season has been jam packed with great visits and memories. 

Although my husband tends to get tired of the endless Christmas get-togethers and parties, I thrive on it! This year however, due to being a tired pregnant mama, we've both put the breaks on some of the Christmas parties and outings. Slowing down this holiday season is difficult for me, but necessary. Although there were still a few important events we couldn't miss out on!

Our life group at McLaurin Baptist Church, where we attend, has now had our second annual Christmas party. It was great to end the year of visiting with everyone. I feel like we've grown a lot as a group this year, and grown closer together. Celebrating the year together seems like a natural thing to do with this group of friends. 

And what better way to celebrate than with a maincourse of cheese fondue, and a dessert of chocolate fondue?!? There is no better way :) 

Here are some snippets from our evening together:

I may have missed snapping pics of one of the babies, but there are already a total of 5 kids between these 4 married couples, and soon to be 6 kids!
Next year will be an exciting year :)

{xoxo}

Clean Christmas Puppies

 Mr. A and I are not the only ones that need to get all cleaned up for the holidays! 

Every once in a while, it's time for the puppies to take a bath :) 

They are not fans of the bath. 

Not fans at all. 

Joop especially spends the entire time trying to escape.  

But since its needed, and since I find it hilarious, they still have to have one! 

Here are some pics of the fun: 

Getting brushed first!

Bath time!

Trying to jump out... unsuccessfully

Daisy trying to help Joop after her bath.

The best part of every dog bath is the craziness that follows. 

I think all dogs become temporarily wild as they wait for the their fur to dry.

Without doing anything to entice them, they just run around like mad doggies for a while. 

I LOVE watching them play together! 

Here's a short snippet of the action for your enjoyment :)

 And look how gorgeous they both look after the bath! 

Relaxing on the couch after that exhausting ordeal. 

Beautiful fur and Christmas bandanas. 

{xoxo}