Christmas Around our House

It's been so much fun to decorate our NEW house this year for the holidays. There's still a lot that I want to add over the next few years, but I think we're off to a pretty good start. 

dining room

stairs

I highly recommend a chalkboard wall somewhere in your house. They are so much fun!

This table has pictures of the kids visit with Santa every year.

My "fancy" tree again. I found a tutorial on the tree skirt from Pinterest.

Scarlett's tree

Clark's tree

Clark decorated his tree himself :) Notice the decorations he made out of pipe cleaners, and even added a lovely mini candy bar wrapper. ha!

 Another decoration found on Pinterest. I don't know what I'll do with this space once Christmas is over, but I have a few ideas.

A great gift from my friend Jenn.

Our family tree in the living room.

My shiny centerpiece on the coffee table.

Blake, our elf has been having lots of fun every night...looks like last night he played a few video games. :)

Festivities!

We're in full Christmas swing around here! Both kids have had their Christmas programs, Brody and I have been to a couple of parties, and there are still a few more to attend!

Scarlett was an angel at her program...literally :) They did a great job!

 Clark was part of the choir at his program. I never know with that boy how he'll do...but thankfully he had a great time up there and was even keeping time of the music with his hand just like the music teacher. haha!

 We are so lucky to have our family in town! Even sweet Jaime and Jemma came to watch Clark, but unfortunately I didn't get a picture of them.

 Scarlett's class had a field trip to the Majestic to see part of the Nutcracker. It was a shorter version since there were just schools attending, but it was still lots of fun. I'm not sure how much the boys liked it, but the girls were all in heaven seeing the pretty ballerinas!

We also hosted part of our bible class party (it was a progressive dinner and we were the appetizer house), and I had my annual Christmas party for the girls I used to teach with. We figured out we've been doing the party for 13 years!! I don't know what got into me, but I forgot to pull out my camera for either of those parties. Brody and I still have several more functions to attend, so hopefully I'll remember to take some pictures then!

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Brody's side of the family this year. We traveled to Fredericksburg and spent time with Brody's parents, aunt & uncle, and his aunts brother and family. 

 They collected pine cones, or "cine cones" as Clark called them. :)

 Scarlett and Clark had a great time with Patience (aunt Susan's niece) playing in the creek!

It was a nice, relaxing day...and to top the whole day off: the Horns won!! HOOK 'EM! :)

Halloween

Do these kids look happy for the weekend festivities, or what?!

 Friday night, Scarlett's school had a carnival. It was lots of fun and the kids had a blast with all the moon bounces and games. Mom and Dad even got to enjoy the night with us.

 But the fun didn't stop there! The next day, we went to Trunk of Treats at church. The weather was beautiful this weekend. The kids got so much more candy than they could ever eat and it was fun walking around, seeing the creativity of everyone that decorated their cars.

 look at sweet Miss Jemma Jane!

 One of the kids favorite trunks was the "mad scientist" car. 

 Then Halloween night finally rolled around. We didn't actually NEED to do any trick or treating, but the tradition is fun. Brody's sweet grandma passed away and the funeral was this day, so he was in Dallas. So, the kids and I tagged along with the Bailey's.

 The whole gang. 

It was a great weekend and I love the memories we're making...these kids are growing up TOO fast!!!

Halloween decorations

This is a picture heavy post, but I don't think there's any other way to show decorations! :) It's our first year in this house, so I've had fun finding places for old decor along with making new things. I have found a TON of darling things on pinterest...my new addiction. 

new front door wreath

I've wanted a burlap banner forever. A few people have teased me that the "L's" look funny, but I really liked this font.

I made these containers a couple of years ago, and they've held up pretty well!

This little guy has been with me since my teaching days. He was a gift from one of my students.

I am loving my chalkboard!

These aren't my decorations, but I made them for the kids teachers. Again...pinterest! I also made the caramel apples and I can vouch for them...they were delish!

This is a new find from Junior League's Marketplace Ole. He has candy inside his head...but I think Brody would grab a hershey bar every night on his way to bed, so you can't actually tell there's anything in there.

And, my mom made the cute little pumpkin for me :)

Finally, my fun bats. They really didn't take long to make and add a lot to the entry.

Hope you're all having a fun and safe Halloween. More pictures to come soon of all the things we've been up to this weekend!!