Always looking for new ideas...I'll start...my latest fun finding for Stockings...(I do not know this guy and will not benefit it anyway!)

 

Selfy Stix

I am going to attempt to make my own stockings this year.

Lil DD's bday is a few days before Christmas I am going to make her a tutu dress. 

I was thinking this for her birthday and photos for the Christmas card...

 

and this for Christmas. 

I was thinking this for her birthday and photos for the Christmas card...

 

and this for Christmas. 

Absolutely lovely!!

Soooo cute .....perfect...

Mmmmm. I make a casserole for Christmas breakfast, and it's the only day of the year I will make it....so it stays special.

Praline pecan french toast casserole.

It has about 4700 calories just from licking the fork.

Aww yum jules....my hips have just grown fhinkin about it....

This year, we are starting "Elf on a Shekf" for Maverick.

He's a little elf that plants himself around the house to make sure kids are behaving. He reports directly to Santa.

The problem is, when kids are sleeping, elf gets himself into trouble.

This year, we are starting "Elf on a Shekf" for Maverick.

He's a little elf that plants himself around the house to make sure kids are behaving. He reports directly to Santa.

The problem is, when kids are sleeping, elf gets himself into trouble.

Kids wake up to find elf in funny predicaments.

We do the Elf on the Shelf too. :)

They named him Bob. 

 

I do a Southern biscuit and egg casserole... sooo good.  So bad for you. 

Aww this is fabulous.....I love it....

Last year, we broke tradition and my dad and little brother came to Ottawa to visit me. This year, I'm staying in Ottawa, but going to Steve's parents instead. Yay.

 

Now that my mom's gone, Christmas does not feel the same at all. She used to read us 'Twas The Night Before Christmas/A Visit from St. Nicholas every year on Christmas Eve, regardless of how old we were getting. We also would open stockings in the morning, but had to wait until everyone was awake to open presents. That meant waiting on my dad and step-dad to roll out of bed after a night of drinking. It always felt like ages.

 

My mom always did a huge feast of snacks/finger foods on Christmas Eve and we listened to Christmas music pretty much all night. She was a Christmas fanatic. Here's some pictures from Christmas 2008.

 

 

 

Mom's Christmas village. This is only half of it:

 

Oh Leanna! I love your pictures!

This year, we are starting "Elf on a Shekf" for Maverick.

He's a little elf that plants himself around the house to make sure kids are behaving. He reports directly to Santa.

The problem is, when kids are sleeping, elf gets himself into trouble.

Kids wake up to find elf in funny predicaments.

Elf on  the Shelf is so much fun!!!

Last year, we broke tradition and my dad and little brother came to Ottawa to visit me. This year, I'm staying in Ottawa, but going to Steve's parents instead. Yay.

 

Now that my mom's gone, Christmas does not feel the same at all. She used to read us 'Twas The Night Before Christmas/A Visit from St. Nicholas every year on Christmas Eve, regardless of how old we were getting. We also would open stockings in the morning, but had to wait until everyone was awake to open presents. That meant waiting on my dad and step-dad to roll out of bed after a night of drinking. It always felt like ages.

 

My mom always did a huge feast of snacks/finger foods on Christmas Eve and we listened to Christmas music pretty much all night. She was a Christmas fanatic. Here's some pictures from Christmas 2008.

 

 

 

Mom's Christmas village. This is only half of it:

 

Aww Leanna. I love your traditions and am sorry that your mom isn't here. Her village is great!! 

Oh Leanna,

What wonderful memories for you!

 

We have always put our tree up on Christmas Eve. It started from our first Christmas when we were being moved by the Army on the 27th, so decided no tree and then at the last minute decided, Yes, a tree. Some years it has been nerve wracking as to whether we would find a tree that late and so we have given in the past few years and bought the tree a bit earlier but still put it up on Christmas Eve. Of course, having no kids has made it possible to continue this tradition ;)  I am sure if we had kids the tree would have to go up much sooner! 

Karen

Oh Leanna! I love your pictures!

 

Thanks Julie!

 

Aww Leanna. I love your traditions and am sorry that your mom isn't here. Her village is great!! 

 

Thanks DD! I think I'll post some pictures from last year's Christmas. My first without her.

 

I'm supposed to inherit her village, so I might be putting that up next year. Of course it won't be as fantabulous as hers always was, but putting it together will be a special moment for me. :)

 

Oh Leanna,

What wonderful memories for you!

 

We have always put our tree up on Christmas Eve. It started from our first Christmas when we were being moved by the Army on the 27th, so decided no tree and then at the last minute decided, Yes, a tree. Some years it has been nerve wracking as to whether we would find a tree that late and so we have given in the past few years and bought the tree a bit earlier but still put it up on Christmas Eve. Of course, having no kids has made it possible to continue this tradition ;)  I am sure if we had kids the tree would have to go up much sooner! 

Karen

 

That is such a cool tradition Karen!

 

Here's a picture from last Christmas. I tried my best to make it special for my dad and brother. We had just lost mom two months before:

 

Our small Christmas tree and presents:

 

Oh I love love love christmas!!  My poor Chris lost his stepdad on the 21st Dec 3 years ago so I try and include him now to have some good memories.  Traditions are extensive :)

 

Christmas Eve is my favourite part of christmas :)  I take the girls to the panto at the local theatre then we get ready.

 

The youngest was alrady asleep so this is Milly doing the duties :)  Baileys, mince pie for santa and carrots for the reindeer.... then when they go to sleep.....

the drunken Chris, sprinkles the "reindeer dust" cause they make an all fired mess those guys :)

 

Then drunk as a skunk, I start prepping the dinner... ready to re sort the following morning with bucks fizz!  The ex picks the kids up at 4ish and then I sit and chill with the man and whinge that christmas tv is pants!

x

We do the Elf on the Shelf too. :)

They named him Bob. 

 

I do a Southern biscuit and egg casserole... sooo good.  So bad for you. 

I think we will try the Elf on the Shelf this year as well :) Sounds like fun.

Christmas for us is kind of spread out.  We spend Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas Day with hubby's fam. 

Best part is seeing the smile on little guy's face on Christmas morning, after Santa has been here. :)

 

aww sandy loving his little face getting an apple and a orange reminds me of when i was little christmas was always special and we were so grateful for what we got even if it was a second hand bike that my dad had repainted :)

 

elf on the shelf sure sounds like fun peeps :)

I always wear a silly hat and a glass of festive red wine :)

 

 

smoked salmon, scrambled egg and bucks fizz is my traditional christmas breakfast

 

Its a standing joke with my family and friends as I always bake mince pies and they hate them, but I love making them so tough lol

Last year, we broke tradition and my dad and little brother came to Ottawa to visit me. This year, I'm staying in Ottawa, but going to Steve's parents instead. Yay.

 

Now that my mom's gone, Christmas does not feel the same at all. She used to read us 'Twas The Night Before Christmas/A Visit from St. Nicholas every year on Christmas Eve, regardless of how old we were getting. We also would open stockings in the morning, but had to wait until everyone was awake to open presents. That meant waiting on my dad and step-dad to roll out of bed after a night of drinking. It always felt like ages.

 

My mom always did a huge feast of snacks/finger foods on Christmas Eve and we listened to Christmas music pretty much all night. She was a Christmas fanatic. Here's some pictures from Christmas 2008.

 

 

 

Mom's Christmas village. This is only half of it:

 

wonderful pictures!

Oh I love love love christmas!!  My poor Chris lost his stepdad on the 21st Dec 3 years ago so I try and include him now to have some good memories.  Traditions are extensive :)

 

Christmas Eve is my favourite part of christmas :)  I take the girls to the panto at the local theatre then we get ready.

 

The youngest was alrady asleep so this is Milly doing the duties :)  Baileys, mince pie for santa and carrots for the reindeer.... then when they go to sleep.....

the drunken Chris, sprinkles the "reindeer dust" cause they make an all fired mess those guys :)

 

Then drunk as a skunk, I start prepping the dinner... ready to re sort the following morning with bucks fizz!  The ex picks the kids up at 4ish and then I sit and chill with the man and whinge that christmas tv is pants!

x

So much fun!!

I think we will try the Elf on the Shelf this year as well :) Sounds like fun.

Christmas for us is kind of spread out.  We spend Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas Day with hubby's fam. 

Best part is seeing the smile on little guy's face on Christmas morning, after Santa has been here. :)

Oh, he  is just the right age for Elf on the Shelf!!

I think we will try the Elf on the Shelf this year as well :) Sounds like fun.

Christmas for us is kind of spread out.  We spend Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas Day with hubby's fam. 

Best part is seeing the smile on little guy's face on Christmas morning, after Santa has been here. :)

Ohhhhhh Sandy! He is adorable!!! Elf on the shelf is my favorite tradition. The kids wake up and immediately start to look at where Bob has landed from his journey the night before. They make sure to leave him some crackers and water every night. 

 

I always wear a silly hat and a glass of festive red wine :)

 

 

smoked salmon, scrambled egg and bucks fizz is my traditional christmas breakfast

 

Its a standing joke with my family and friends as I always bake mince pies and they hate them, but I love making them so tough lol

 

Cuuuuute! 

Oh I love love love christmas!!  My poor Chris lost his stepdad on the 21st Dec 3 years ago so I try and include him now to have some good memories.  Traditions are extensive :)

 

Christmas Eve is my favourite part of christmas :)  I take the girls to the panto at the local theatre then we get ready.

 

The youngest was alrady asleep so this is Milly doing the duties :)  Baileys, mince pie for santa and carrots for the reindeer.... then when they go to sleep.....

the drunken Chris, sprinkles the "reindeer dust" cause they make an all fired mess those guys :)

 

Then drunk as a skunk, I start prepping the dinner... ready to re sort the following morning with bucks fizz!  The ex picks the kids up at 4ish and then I sit and chill with the man and whinge that christmas tv is pants!

x

So great Marti! I think that Santa is going to request some Baileys! nom nom We decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving... can't wait! 

DD Baileys was a great plan... unlike the year before's "santa bomb"...that was a bad plan

 

Poor Santa found the saucepan of veg in the oven the following morning :)