Bits and Pieces

I would so love to join the "Christmas House Tour", but let's face it; that tour would consist of my front door and the young un's bathroom, cause that's the only place I've had to do anything. The tree still looks much the same as it does in the pictures below. I did take a few minutes to fluff it though. The kitchen table looks like Christmas threw up after a hard night of partying. I'm thinking I may just go with a glitter theme from now on in there.

I didn't craft last night because of the Mr's high school band Christmas Concert. I'll be honest with you, it does not get any easier to sit through those when you don't have a child playing in them. I'm going on year 5 of sitting through band concerts. I also realized that that is the longest amount of time I have been still for probably 3 months... it was becoming increasingly hard to stay awake.

My brother is officially back home after a 27 day hospital stay. Miracles still occur, and it is nothing short of that to be pulled from a truck nearly dead and 27 days later be at home, sitting on the couch watching TV. He still has several months ahead of him in therapy for his leg, but things are looking really good right now.

As Christmas cards begin to arrive in the mail, it's fun to look back at the pictures we used to send. My apologies to the rest of the family, but you knew what you were getting into. Here are my ghosts of Christmas past (and as soon as I can get that 12 Redneck days of Christmas to load, you know I'll have it published!)

The obligatory fireplace shot.

The family Christmas gathering. Check out that nifty sweatshirt. I made them every year. (on an unrelated note, 5 of those kids are either teachers or on the way to becoming a teacher)

Ahhhh, the excitement of Christmas morning. Dad always got the first look and then caught our smiling faces. Eventually I learned to fix my hair before this shot :) Note the deer head on the wall...he had a santa hat too!

Thanks for all the sweet comments on the teacher gifts. I tried to think of things I would like to get and went from there. As much as I love some sugary sweets, I know that there are only so many oreo truffles one can eat. I did end up donating a few to my school's silent auction as well. Only 2.5 more days to get through and I can go on holiday autopilot :)