Merry Christmas to youuuuuu.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!

Hi friends!  I'm just popping in here really quick!  I had a few more blog posts planned and I may still get 1 or 2 up before Christmas. However my goal this month was to NOT stress or feel I had to do things instead of enjoying my family and this time.  And I don't have photos edited and time to get everything typed up.  Instead I'm having that time to spend with my kids and husband watching holiday movies, baking, driving around looking at holiday lights, wrapping gifts and just enjoying everything that the Season brings.

So I thought I'd share a few pics of random things our family likes to do during the Holiday Season!
You can see how I decorate our house HERE if you wish....I haven't included all the trees in that post but the ones I did put up this year look the same minus the family room tree which is the only REAL tree we get.  Family traditions are very important to me and our family..they are what makes the Season Bright & Super Special!

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I wanted to share a few pics of our Christmas tree farm adventure...which is always lots of fun for our family.  We've been going since they were babies and its just one of my favorite holiday traditions.

It was a beautiful but COLD day and snow was still on the ground...which meant lots of mud!

The boys chopped the tree down and dragged it to the barn to be shaken & baled!

Meanwhile Alexa & I run back to the truck to get warm and take some selfies...hahaha!

I have a "thing" for red barns and I love them....they are a must take a photo for me. Maybe one day I'll have my own red barn ;)

Here's Alexa adding her decorations to the tree...this year's tree is 14 ft so we had to use a ladder which is always an adventure of sorts.

There's just something about a real tree...smells so good and looks so nice!  The tree skirt I use each year for the family room tree was made by my mom for our engagement present...so it will be a family heirloom one day for the kids.

We also went to see the ICE! Show at the National Harbor Gaylord over Thanksgiving weekend.  We've been going ever since they've hosted them (7 years I believe) and it is another favorite family tradition.  This year it was Frosty the Snowman and YES I did the ice slide this year too :)

We stayed at the Gaylord National Harbor for Thanksgiving & had dinner in Alexandria...I'm not a big fan of Thanksgiving and we usually go somewhere instead to celebrate as a family.  We got to ride the Eye at the Harbor which was fun...if you follow me on Facebook you prob saw the video of ummm Alexa singing...loudly LOL!

You can't visit National Harbor without a stop at the Peeps store to stock up of course ;)

Then I got to go to the Ritz for a Holiday Tea with my two best girlfriends.  It was so much fun and I def ate more sugar than I should've...tis the Season right?

The other night Alexa & I went to the Alamo Drafthouse for their "Elf" movie quote-sing-along with our friends.  We LOVE going to quote-alongs and we've done "Dirty Dancing" and "Pitch Perfect" as well.  They give you fun props and you get to eat yummy foods...always a good time!

I also have a thing for Santas...I have quite a few around my house (maybe 12, 14??).  This is my newest one from Decor Steals...I loved his burlap banner.  The canvas/burlap trees I made last year HERE.

This is the living room tree this year...see the cat in the back..yeah they can't wait to lay on the tree skirt.  With 6 cats I've never had issues with them climbing the trees, but they do like to bat at ornaments now and again.  And that babydoll & rocking chair are mine from my childhood.

One of our 2014 family ornaments from our trip to Disney World this summer!  I love looking at photo ornaments from past years...such a treasure to have on the tree.

And this dog...Baylee loves lights...I mean she loves them. So her favorite part of the holidays is when I string lights on all the trees, she wags her tail & "helps' me LOL!

We are also very serious about our Holiday Movie Watching in the Dean house.  We have a schedule we follow and usually have some "treats" while watching.  This year its homemade popcorn in the Dutch Oven with different toppings and homemade hot cocoa with lots of Cool-Whip!  Our holiday faves include Elf, Home Alone 1 & 2, The Grinch, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, It's A Wonderful Life, Rudolph, A Christmas Carol and lots of sappy Hallmark movies like Mrs. Miracle :)

The front door wreath this year...I just love it!

So I'm not sure if I will be back before the New Year and wanted to say a big 

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you all!

With the kids being older and Alexa being home on break, this time of year I really want to soak it all up and not worry about things that don't need to happen for the world to keep turning LOL!

This is a slightly blurry version (thx scanner) of our Christmas card this year that I wanted to share with you all!

Please take the time to slow down, breathe, and just enjoy all the moments.

Wishing you lots of love, laughter, peace and joy over the holiday!

A Few of My Fave Holiday Gift Ideas....

JUST IN CASE.....

I just wanted to share a few fun gift ideas that I may have picked up this year for those on my gift list or things I saw that I think would make the perfect gifts.  Last minute ideas and nothing is super expensive!  If you have a super gift idea please leave a comment so we can all see as well....I love new ideas!

PS...my daughter flies in today from college and gets to stay home for a month..whoohoo!

Hips Sister

I discovered these a couple months ago and quickly ordered one for myself.  They are a FANTASTIC and trendy version of a fanny pack for anyone on the go.  I use mine for my phone when I'm out walking or at a yoga class.  They have a zippered pocket that can hold money, ID or keys and then your phone/iPod tucks in as well.  They come in tons of styles and patterns (even swimming versions) and run about $24 each.  So for someone on your list that loves to walk, exercise or just go anywhere really..they are perfect!

The Spice House

Love these spices...concentrated, always great in recipes and so many varieties.  The spices come in so many flavors including mixtures you may have never heard of.   The gift boxes make lovely gifts for your favorite chef or grill-fanatic...or just pick up a few bottles to stick in gift baskets or stockings yourself..you will LOVE them!

Reusable Juice Boxes

I love items that can be REUSED and while my teens don't drink juice boxes anymore, these are a fun idea for a mom or kid on your holiday list.  After seeing what was in the bottom of some of those packaged juice boxes a couple years ago (MOLD)...I don't think I could ever drink one again.  These are cute, easily replenished and perfect for your kids (or grandbabies).

Portable Bluetooth Speaker (splash proof)

These speakers are great quality, work pretty much anywhere you need to listen to your music.  Great stocking stuffer for teens that you know they will love.  Heck, I want one for myself too!  A few different fun colors as well.

Ticket Stub Diary

I have a ton of tickets from events our family goes to every year in a box...baseball tix, concerts, etc.  Yep, in just a big box..sitting there...but in a box.  So I thought what a great idea to have a ticket book for each year.  If you scrapbook or Project Life you may like to record them another way. For me at this moment in my life..I know I can handle sticking them in a book once a month and being DONE!

Tea Bag Buddy

I love this little gadget myself... perfect for anyone that loves tea, its a great gift for under $6.
It holds your tea bag while steeping & keeping your tea hot.
Then you can use it to squeeze the teabag and hold it afterwards.
Cute little video on all the fun things it does is here...and it comes in other cute colors!

Shea Butter Cream

Coiled Paper Trivet

I'm a huge fan of fair trade items, especially those made by women in other countries...those starting a business or supporting their families.  And I always buy a few things every year from Ten Thousand Villages...each product has a description of who made it, how and why.  So you are buying a gift for someone AND helping someone else as well....win/win!  These were the two items I purchased this holiday for some folks on my gift list. I have two of the paper trivets myself and I love them...they've held up well for over 5 years and they just look cool on the table :)

Selfie Poles

Super fun idea for your teens or anyone that loves taking selfies with their phones!
This one has a button on the handle to easily click a photo.  I can't take credit for this idea..my friend Sally got me one for Christmas this year and I thought it was a fantastic idea!

Personalized Cutting Boards

I love personalized gifts whether they be for a wedding, Christmas, birth or just because.
I got myself a small engraved bar board a couple months ago and I just love it.  You can never have enough cutting boards in my opinion...use them for parties, use them everyday, or use them to display.  Etsy has so many gorgeous options but I liked this store the best...fun shapes and sizes and so many ways to engrave each one.  Perfect gift for someone anytime of the year.

Board Games
My family are HUGE fans of board/card games...we play them over the holidays, on vacations and any other time we are all together.  It is a fun way to connect without technology and really have some laughs and enjoy each other.  We always have a game night on Christmas Eve after we are all snuggled in our new pajammies, drinking some hot cocoa and waiting for Santa.
This Bounce Off game is pretty popular and for under $15 a good addition to your game supply.
May we also recommend a few of our family's favorites too:  Scattegories, The Logo Game, Wits & Wagers, Say Anything and last but not least....Cards Against Humanity (for older teens & adults please lol).

Chapstick Holders

I got all of Alexa's friends one of these for this Christmas.  I thought they were super cute and filled them with their favorite Peppermint Chapsticks.  Cute stocking stuffer gift for any age.  I bought mine on a flash-steal site but found these on Etsy in the same fun patterns.

Curl Up In Your Chair.....

Holiday Curl-Up-In-Your-Chair Books

Just popping in real quick....I promise to type up a post tomorrow on another holiday project.  I've had some ongoing things that have sucked my time the past 2 days but they're coming I promise. Today I'm off with my friends for a Holiday Tea at the Ritz...so looking forward to visiting, laughing and just some good times with my girly friends :)

I wanted to post a couple of Christmas Books that I thought you might enjoy.  These are a mix of brand new books and some oldies...and all are heartwarming, easy and light reads that will warm your soul!  Enjoy!

The Christmas Tin

The "Christmas Tin" is my BookEndz bookclub pick for the month.  It was my favorite holiday of the 14 I've read and its free if you are a Amazon Kindle Unlimited member...or $2.99 reg price. Worth every penny I swear.  If you want to see other bookclub picks or other book recommendations you can join our club on Facebook HERE...everyone is welcome.

The 13th Day of Christmas

There are not enough words to describe how I feel about this book...I enjoyed every moment and page and was sad to see it end. A real page turner that makes you smile all the way down to your feet.

The Christmas Diary

This is a good, one-sitting read while curled up next to the Christmas tree and enjoying a hot beverage. Page turning and heart-warming....

The Santa Letters

This is an oldie but a goodie...I found it on my bookshelf and wanted to mention it because I enjoyed it so much when I read it.  Its not available on Kindle but you can probably find it at your library.

This book showcases the true spirit and meaning of Christmas. I might've teared up a couple of times but don't let that deter you because its worth the read.  Filled with lots of love & Christmas joy too!

Mr. Miracle

And how can you forget a good & enjoyable read by Debbie Macomber?  This time she's written a Mr. Miracle story...if you are familiar with her Mrs. Miracle books then you will definitely want to read this one as well.

Enjoy your holiday reading!!