Santa Came to Town....

Roen was first up this year and I didn't get a call until 8:20. But that boy was ready and was not one bit happy that our two hibernating bear residents weren't feeling the Christmas magic quite as early. 

But, I did what mama's do. I made the coffee and got everyone up and eventually there were smiles on all the faces! One thing is for sure, no matter how old these boys get, the smile on their faces as they come running to see what Santa brought is just as big at 14 and 16 as it was when they were elementary babies! Those smiles melt my heart!

Remi got subs and new tires for his truck and a giant rolling toolbox! Roen got boujee cologne, a Turtlebox and some Meta glasses! They, of course, got the other stocking musts like socks, chapstick, toothbrushes, and Santa even threw in some breath mints for those girls they like kissing so much *wink*. This age is so fun and really I had so much fun with the boys this holiday season. They may be in and out like little tornadoes, leaving trails of food wherever they go, but their company is my favorite!

Milk & Cookies for Santa...

This is one tradition that almost didn't get did this year!

Days before Christmas, Remi got sick with the flu and then I got sick with a wicked stomach something or another. I don't know what it was, but I thought I was dying. It hit me on Sunday night and I still wasn't sure I was making to Gran's on Christmas Eve. But Micah and the boys both made it clear, my presence was necessary and since I had been vomit-free for over 48 hours, I pushed through. I found me a chair as far away from everyone as I could get, and as long as I stayed resting, I was fine. 

All this to say, my Christmas cookies did not get made and by the time we got home from Gran's, I went straight to bed for a little pre-santa setup nap. I woke up around 11:00, ready to make sure the boys were tucked away and to help Micah get going on toolbox assembly and stocking displaying. It was right around mid-night when I realized we hand't put anything out for Santa. I texted both boys and Roen was up, so he popped down with a giggle, Remi had just tucked in and was not having any of it! But with a little begging, Santa got his milk, the reindeer got a few caramels and peppermints, and this mama got her pictures! 

Christmas Eve at Gran's...

You would think the older the boys get, the more grownup they would act in these big gatherings. You thought wrong! They still go outside, climb to the tippy top of the trees, hit each other with big branches while up in said tree, and then come inside and proceed to act like animals that belong outside. 

"Y'all go outside and play."

"It's time for presents, y'all come inside."

"Actually, I'll bring your presents outside.'

"Better yet, y'all ain't getting no presents..."

"and get outside anyways."

Hahahaha, I kid you not, this is real life inside my head! 

Micah has an older sister with two boys who are close in age but both younger than Remi and Roen... I think *maybe* she understands. No, it doesn't get better as they get older, no, I still can't be sure if they love each other so much they want to hurt each other or if it's the other way around, no, it still doesn't matter who is around, they have zero care about disrupting the space around them with immature bouts of horseplay. When I look at these pictures, all I can think about is how rotten they acted and how I was either laughing or throwing in the towel on Christmas all together.

Aside from that little glimpse of heaven I just shared, Gran's always is one of my favorite ways to kick off Christmas! I love seeing all the cousins, I love the ornament exchange and I love sitting as close to Larry as I can because he keeps Micah and I laughing the whole entire time! Think no filter, no volume and saying what everyone else is thinking, lol! 

I mean you've got Larry cutting in the food line, you've got people opening their own gift exchange presents because no one really likes what everyone else brought, you have kids throwing wrapping paper at each other, wrestling matches going on in the middle of presents, dogs peeing on the carpet, a BINGO pile that looks like a scratch-off factory..... it is a level of chaos that seriously keeps a smile on my face all night long. It's loud, it's crazy, and it is an absolute blast!

And if you will scroll down to the 6th picture, you can see the exact level of orneriness I was dealing with all night, gleaming in both of their eyes!

Gift Exchange with the Girls...

This was actually on two different nights, as we had to squeeze it in whenever the girls were free and we were home! Remi and Elle did theirs before Christmas, one night after they had been to dinner. Roen and Brynlee had to wait until after Christmas and made a fun little evening of it!

I love these precious girls and had so much fun helping the boys shop and even snuck a little treat just from me! They both brought me gifts as well, which I thought completely unnecessary, but so very thoughtful! Brynlee brought me some yummy body butter and a beautiful candle, Elle brought me a Santa ornament and good book!

The boys got them photo pillowcases, blankets, and necklaces! These smiles made my holiday that much sweeter!

AA Sherrill Park Golf Tournament...

Ya'll, it was cold!

Like so cold, if Roen would have said he didn't want to play, Micah and I would have let him withdraw on that second day! Saturday wasn't so bad being in the 40s, but Sunday, the temps were below freezing!

Of course, the cold never seems to effect Roen like a normal human being, and at one point he was hot and 'bothered' by all his layers!

But we survived and I was so proud of him and maybe even a little bit proud of myself! Little toot actually played better in the cold temps!

R1: 83

R2: 80

Oh, and you know we ended day one at Carne Rosso for pizza, because if it is in a 30 mile radius, Micah cannot resist!

Jingle Bells & Jolly Elves...

This year the elves were a different kind of fun! I got them out and each time I moved them, I would find them engaging in their own fun..... I suppose this year the joke was on me! We had a lot of laughs over these little guys and once again, I am thankful for all the memories they hold and collect each year!

Example below... look how sweet they are sitting by my embroidered, crocheted, ruffle pillow.... later I found them cutting up (pun intended) in the kitchen!

Holiday Home Tour '25...

This summer, we got asked to participate in our community Christmas Home Tours. Of course, Christmas felt like a lifetime away and I am always up for holiday fun, so I committed. Fast forward to around October, and I was seriously regretting my decision!

The biggest stress was me wanting my house to be ready. I am really big on not forcing the pieces I put into my home, because decorating intentionally takes time and thought. That being said, there were so many little corners that needed some love and details. I ended up making a list, and going full throttle, giving my home as much attention as I could. Thankfully,  I was able to get walls and tabletops to a place of progress I was happy with and that gave me the entire month of November to get the house dressed for Christmas. 

It was a process, but ended up being a lot of fun! With around 400 people coming through on Tour Day, it was also a fun I never want to repeat! This was my one and done!

We did get to have Santa at our house, which gave me the perfect opportunity to make the boys take a picture and probably one of my favorite parts of the day was my itty bitty baby all fancied up in her Christmas sweater dress!