The Family.

I just realized that I never shared our family pictures with you. So in case you didn't get our Christmas card, here's a little sample.

We were so happy to meet Misty Davis (through my Sis-In-Law, Heidi), and were also happy that she took our family pics just before she decided to take down here photography shingle! She does amazing photos - check out her photography blog, Misty Davis Photography. She also makes adorable things for kids - check that out at Lillyanna Kids. I'm sure you'll agree - she's one amazing girl!

These next few shots were some I took just before Christmas...

I think this is my favorite of Jackson. He looks pretty sweet.

Then he had to get silly...

And speaking of silly,

This here is one silly boy! And I love those silly little dimples :)

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! I know we sure did. We had great times with family, ate way too much, and just enjoyed the season. Now I have to hurry and finish up all those leftovers and goodies before we start our annual New Year's diet :)

Holiday Tour Part 5 - The Den

Ok. So there's a seriously huge amount of photos in this post. I'll admit it - I have issues. But I just LOVE. THIS. ROOM!

And the little tree is so silvery and sparkly and fun!

I just have to show a close up of some of the ornaments, because you can't see how cute they are in the bigger picture... Iknow, I know...snowflakes have Nothing. Zero. Nadda. to do with the beach. But the colors match....and I already had everything from last year... and I LIKE it!

I could not get a decent picture of the bow on top, I'm afraid this is as good as it gets...

Here's the other side of the room. My original plan was to paint the entertainment center white. But the more I look at it, the more I like it just the way it is. What do you think? To paint or not to paint...that always seems to be the question...

*note* - Not to stir up any controversy...but that is not a tv. We do not have a tv, nor do we ever intend to get one. We have a monitor and a DVD player/VCR for our children to watch carefully selected wholesome films. We do not want the filth of Hollywood shaping our children's minds. Just wanted to make that clear. And I'll still love you if you disagree with me. I'm just sayin'. Ok, back to the regularly scheduled program! I'm climbing down off my soap box now...

I had fun with these old built-ins...

Just thought I'd throw in a few close ups...

And I just HAD to show you this easy peasy pillow! I covered an old throw pillow with burlap. (I believe it used to be purple...) Then, using a stencil and fabric paint, painted a monogram on it in a fun curly font.

I LOVE this sailboat. Why? Because my hubby made it years ago. Isn't it the cutest thing?! He hates for me to put it on display because it isn't... gasp...finished. But I think that's what I like the most about it - it just wouldn't look the same all painted up and shiny. I wonder if I could get him to make me 5 or 6 more of them...

So do I break a record for the most starfish and seashells in a single blog post?! Somehow it takes the edge off this freezing cold weather we've been having. And I'm all for that.

Holiday Tour Part 4 - The Kitchen

Today we'll tour my little kitchen.

By the time we're finished you'll probably never want to see another gingerbread man again! Don't say I didn't warn you...

First stop - the little kitchen tree.

This post is proof that I'm just keepin it real. I haven't even hung curtains yet...and you can just pretend those pans aren't really in the sink, k?

This kitchen is veeerryyy small, but it's pretty convenient. And the pantry is nice and big, so there's plenty of storage. Believe it or not, but I have several cabinets that are EMPTY! That sounds like a good excuse to buy some more dishes , huh?! :)

I love the gingerbread choo choo train...do you see it up there on top of the cabinets?

Gotta love Cracker Barrel's Christmas towels...

I'm really loving the Christmas lights bokeh :)

More gingerbread men...

Merry Christmas!

The cloche:

And the last little gingerbread vignette. The photo in the frame is one of my fave Christmas pictures. Carson was so tiny, and he was whispering in Jackson's ear...so sweet.

I'm really itching to paint the cabinets white, and maybe even add some beadboard to the ends. I'm thinking white would make the kitchen look bigger. I wonder if I could convince the church board....

Holiday Tour Part 3 - The Dining Room

Hey y'all, welcome back to the Holiday tour!

Make yourself at home...

and come on in to my dining room...

This is definitely the largest dining room I've ever had, and I'm thrilled with it. I can actually leave BOTH leaves in the table all the time, and still have room to get around the table. So cool.

I'm also happy that the room is big enough for the buffet! It's been camping out in our bedroom because I never had room for it before.

I just finished making the curtains yesterday (why oh why do I always put off sewing??), and I am amazed at how much some simple muslin curtains can soften a room. By using cheap muslin, I was able to make each panel for less than 4 bucks.(happy dance...) It's also very light and thin which allows lots more light to come in all those windows, another big plus. The floral fabric on the top was from some old valances I had.

I had so much fun filling up the (freshly painted) china cabinet with red transferware goodies.

See?

Ah. It makes me all happy inside.

Here are a few little details scattered around...

I've had this stocking since college, but this year I spruced it up with some garland, burlap ribbon, twine, and jingle bells.

I found this big ole spoon at Goodwill for a dollar. Yep, I spray painted it.

Remember the "Shanty to Chic" sister's joy plaques? I finally found the bells, so they're finished and at home on the buffet. I'm really wanting to make a burlap runner...

Years ago, I started collecting victorian things for my Christmas tree, but the hubs HATED it. with. a. passion. So I was a good little wife and put it away for several years. But I thought it would be pretty in here, so I dug it all out again...

I mean, a girl's gotta have some pink SOMEWHERE! This house ain't ALL pistols and spurs...

Holiday Tour Part Two - The Bunkhouse

Ready for part two of the Holiday tour?

Let's take a peek in the boy's "Bunkhouse"...

The lil cowpokes are all ready for Christmas with their very own Christmas tree.

They specifically requested a star for the top. So....

I found one in their toybox. I love it :)

Kick off your boots and come on in...

I threw some pillows on top of the toy box so it can double up as a comfy reading spot...you know, for whenever they learn to read...

In this room, rather than painting the window frame, I stained it for a more Westerny look. I like how rustic it looks!

We best be clearin out - it's bout sundown...them cowpokes will be a needin their beds right soon.

Stay tuned for more of the tour tomorrow!

Oh, one more thing. I finally am trying to get caught up with the times - I added a blogroll to my sidebar. If you don't see your blog over there, and you'd like for me to add it, lemme know! Or, if you're on there and don't really want to be, you can let me know that too :)