Still Enjoying Christmas

As I had commented on yesterday's post we had a wonderful Christmas day!

Some of you that are reading this have already boxed up the tinsel and the lights and are enjoying life back to your kind of normal. Me...well I just can't let myself do it just yet. After all, the holiday season lasts thru the New Year right?

Now, I know that some of you had to get back to work this morning and some of you don't have young children at home etc. As for me I think we will keep our halls decked for a few more days!

(boys decorating our traditional tree)

While the boys are still on Christmas break we can sit around and enjoy the lights and the decorations that go along with the holiday season!

 (this tree is in our family room and has sentimental, keepsake, personalized ornaments etc on it)

 If I host a New Years party/get together I want the house to still feel and look festive and bright!

 

Then when the boys go back to school after the New Year I will store the Christmas decor and start the New Year all fresh and clean.

What about you? Do you put everything up right away or do you leave it up for a few more days?

Still enjoying the Christmas season!

Sarah

Winter Visitors

I hope that each of you had a Very Merry Christmas!

We sure did! So thankful for all of God's many blessings!

I will be updating Christmas happenings around here, but for today I am sharing something tranquil and beautiful...

While visiting my parents recently I was walking to the back yard at their house and found these beauties snacking on some corn that my dad puts out for the winter visitors.

I was able to get pretty close to them. Aren't they beautiful?

They eventually saw me and ran away.

The snow just adds to their beauty don't you think? Wishing for some snow...

Sarah

Merry Christmas

Enjoy your day as we celebrate the birth of Jesus!

Sarah

Family Christmas Fun

Last year I posted about Christmas activities throughout the month of December and plan to do that again this year. This is a busy month, so maybe I will have time to share...

Do you ever have one of those "feel good family days?" Well, we do and yesterday was one of those! James's company purchased tickets to the Opera House in a bigger city north of here. We were to watch the Children's Theatre perform THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER.

We left a bit early in order to browse the mall and eat lunch. I love all of the hustle and bustle of the season. The malls filled with shoppers, the Salvation Army bell ringer, the children all dressed up to see Santa =)

We spent a while at the mall and then went on to the performance. The Opera House is downtown and along with all of the traffic were beautiful shops lit up and the big tree in town square along with an ice skating rink.

 Cell phone picture of the boys and I. We had some of the best seats in the house!

A local high school show choir entertained us before the play began.

We were not allowed to take pics during the performance due to copy right.

The play turned out great! It was funny, serious and heart warming!

Afterwards we went to the Horse Park to see the lights! They were awesome!!

5 Golden Rings

Kentucky Derby

4 Calling Birds

6 Geese Laying

And that concludes our family day!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sarah

A Sandy Snowman

Today's post is a little something fun!

We have friends who travel to the beach several times a year. Every time they go they share pictures of sand sculptures that they make and some are very elaborate! Read a bit more HERE.

Recently I received a picture from their latest adventures at the beach. This time I had to share. With it being Christmas time and all and with all of the winter weather I thought that my readers might enjoy it...

Check out his hat!

I hope that the spirit of Christmas finds you wherever you are!

Sarah

A Peek At My Christmas Porch

Remember the old sled? You can read about it HERE. Well it has made it's debut on the front porch!

Before all of our winter weather came the boys and I headed out to gather up some fresh greens and pine cones! Recently I read on Pinterest about a way to make sure your pinecones were critter free and sap free when you took them indoors to decorate. Simply place them on a foil lined pan and bake on 225 for 45 minutes-an hour. I did  it and you talk about the house smelling yummy! It smelled like pine cones were baking in the oven =) Maybe because they were!!

Did it work? I haven't seen a critter one and the sap is dried up!

After adding the ribbon and burlap to the sled I added some fresh cut pine.

I had a leftover craft fair wreath that just happened to match my country/woodsy themed porch. It matches perfect! When the weather breaks I will finish up out there. Until then I hope you have enjoyed taking a peek...

Stay Warm!

Sarah

My First Craft Fair

Ever since I was in grade school I have attended our local craft fair. Our school used to take us on a field trip there and my mom would give me money to buy something special.

The fair consists of local and non local vendors who hand make just about any and everything! I have wanted to be a vendor for years.

This year I joined my friend Alisha. She makes wonderful fudge of all flavors and I made wreaths, banners etc.

The fair is complete with pictures with Santa, BBQ sandwiches at the concession, free candy canes and lots to look at!

Our booth.

We had a good time and enjoyed all the sights! Our neighboring vendors were nice and very talented!

This woodworking/wood turning was crafted by a nice elderly couple. Their work was beautiful!

These ornaments were made and hand painted by our other neighboring vendors. They had several hand painted items that were gorgeous!

This tree was in the foyer of  the Community Center where the fair was held.

LOVE!

So many nice things to see and buy! It was a fun 2 days!

Thanks for sharing!

Sarah

Boy Christmas Trees

Just wanted to share a glimpse of the boys trees this year.

Isaiah stuck with Cowboys to match his room, Isaac stuck with the  Boyd's bears because it matched his room. Micah on the other hand was ready for a change.

He didn't want to do snowmen again or anything else that I had. So, we had a brainstorm and got in his John Deere cubby and came up with a John Deere tree. Complete with little tractors, green and cream checked material, burlap and some farmer/hunter snowmen. I placed his tree on the old picnic basket and thought it turned out cute!

I love how they all turned out!

I have several more posts in the making. Thanks for stopping by!

Sarah

Thanksgiving Banquet and Program

Last Friday night was our annual Thanksgiving Banquet and Program at school.  This event is one of the biggest highlights of the school year. The evening is kicked off with Turkey Dinner and all the trimmings. After the dinner we all enjoy a drama/musical performance by the students. This year Isaac was "Squeal" a rumor weed and Micah was a farmer :) The title of the performance was "Acorns to Oaks." The theme was warm and talked about how we need to cultivate our soil "soul" how we need the Lord to help us grow! It also warned us about things that hinder our growth. Isaac and Chloe were "RUMOR WEEDS."

The high school girls signed for a song. It was just beautiful!

 The stage was set up like a barnyard, complete with barn, fence and the kids dressed as farmers etc.

Their costumes were fantastic!

The Kindergarten class were Pilgrims and one little Indian.

These guys were so funny! They were the Harvesters.

 And here are the "WEEDS."

Cute!

Isaiah took part at the end of the evening. He was an usher ;)

I always leave the Thanksgiving Program and Banquet feeling very thankful!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sarah