Bits of Cheer!

Hi!! Happy Christmas Eve Eve!! Aren't these last couple of days before Christmas just so much fun?? Actually, I love the week after Christmas too...especially since we will be visiting my parents this year! :)

Even though yesterday was the official day to link-up Amy, Jess and Alisha for their Bits of Cheer Holiday link-up party...I am going to be a rule breaker and link up today.  I thought it was the perfect way to share about some happy holiday moments around our house these past couple of days!

Soo....if I had to pick my favorite "area" of Christmas decor in our house this year...I am pretty sure it would be our mantle!! I love the way it looks during the day, very simple and festive, but at night, with the glowing lights twinkling in the garland...well it just makes me happy!! I downloaded the "Joyeux Noel" print several years ago (for FREE!) and my husband made a new frame for it this year. I got the two cone, silver sparkle trees in the Target dollar spot this year (they were $3/each) and I love the way they just add that something "extra!" And of course...the handmade stockings my mom has sewn for each of my kids. They are so precious to me!! Next year, Aaron and I will probably have to be demoted from the mantle to make room for Baby #5's stocking! HA!

Last night, we piled up in our van and did one of our favorite family Christmas traditions (you can read more about our Christmas traditions here): went and looked at a local Christmas lights display!! We had on our Christmas jammies, I brought a Christmas cookie for each of the kids and blasted Christmas music!! Probably one of the worst pictures EVER of our family- but major props to my husband for even getting us all in the picture without even being able to see what he was doing! HA!

The Christmas lights display we go and see (this is our 2nd year going to look these particular lights) is set up by a local John Deere company.  They put up lights all around their company's property and the lights are free for anyone to come and see. There is always a HUGE line to get through and see them- but they are SO awesome- it is worth the wait!

My favorite part of the lights display are the ice skaters they have set up on a pond.  Doesn't it totally look like they are skating on ice?!?

And my biggest "bits of cheer" are these 4 crazy kids.  I am totally obsessed with dressing them in fun, Christmas clothes throughout the month and my two older daughters are definitely getting to the point where they are kind of "over it."  I have had to "let it go" and compromise that they don't have to wear a Christmas outfit EVERY day they are home on break- but they have been dressing up every Sunday for church in their Christmas outfits! I can't "let it ALL go" just YET! HA!

 
So thankful for all these special moments we have had this month, celebrating such a BEAUTIFUL season!

I hope today is great and the next few days spent celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas are joy-filled and full of special moments with the people you love the most. 

Wishing all of you the Merriest Christmas!!!