All Things Christmas

It's hard to believe that Christmas is almost here. I look forward to the holidays every year, and I feel like I haven't gotten to "enjoy" them as much this year...shame on me!
Regardless of our busy schedules, we have managed to fit in some holiday joy. It goes without saying that I LOVE traditions and that really comes out during the holidays.
From "when" we get a tree, to describing the memory of each ornament when we decorate the tree, to watching The Elf, to baking Christmas cookies, making our Operation Christmas Child shoebox, to our 33+ year old Gibbs family advent calendar or to buying our hallmark series ornament each year...just to name a few. Don't get me started on Christmas eve or Christmas morning!

our VERY old advent calendar

the stocking were hung by the wine with care...using Mike's great-grandma's cookie cutters

Our tree might not look "pretty" but I love how each ornament has meaning!

Here are a few of our favorite ornaments that are new to the tree this year...

Breckenridge, CO trip with Kel & Robby

Boston trip for Mike's 30th birthday

Kauai, Hawaii anniversary trip

KitchenAid Mixer in honor of getting my very own

Our 2nd "cupcake" ornament from Hallmark

I took the last 2 weeks of December off and it feels fantastic. I am trying to be as lazy as possible because I know that 2012 is going to be madness!

So, I plan to "live in the moment" over the next 2 weeks and enjoy every second I get to spend with my wonderful friends and family!
Love to all and have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!