30 days and counting...

Did you see that?  There are only 30 days until Christmas.  I can't believe December is almost upon us and 2012 is staring us in the face.  Normally I won't decorate for Christmas until December.  I have issues with putting up Christmas decorations when we aren't even within the holiday month.  After moving into our new home last year, I had to change the way I decorated since we had so much more livable space that needed to look festive.  Due to my OCD, I limit what I put up because I am not one for clutter.  Not to mention I have to get it all up in one day and be able to take it all down in one day as well or I get overwhelming anxiety.  It truly is a curse.

When I bought my house in 2004, I went to Garden Ridge on Thanksgiving day and bought me a cute little, prelit 6 foot tall tree.  Last year we learned that our cute little tree looked rather pathetic in our new home.  After a failed attempt to purchase a new tree last year, we decided to go out when the first sale was announced this fall and get a prelit 9 foot tree.  When I started putting the tree together yesterday, I realized our eyes may have been bigger than our front room.  Once I got it up and decorated, I fell in love with it.

Last year I bought some wreaths to hang in our back living room windows and a few new things for the mantle.  This year I found Texas A&M and Texas Tech mini trees that I couldn't pass up (plus they were half price at Hobby Lobby). 

Gig'em Aggies!                    Go Raiders!  

             

The outside of our house is very sad.  With the tall roof and limited amount of bushes, we have not figured out a way to add lights to the outside.  We did buy two small outdoor lighted trees to place on either side of our walkway but determined they look very sad all by themselves when we were driving by our house last night.  It is a work in progress so I'm sure we'll figure something out and hit up the stores after Christmas to get more decor on sale.

Only 31 days until all of this stuff comes down!  :)

Gobble, Gobble

This Thanksgiving was great!  Despite a few rough times this past year, we have so much to be thankful for and enjoyed spending the day with our families.  For the second year in a row, we played host to Shane's parents, his grandmother, my parents, my brother's family, my grandparents and great aunt.  It was a full house but we wouldn't have it any other way.

Shane fried a couple of turkeys that morning and the rest of us contributed plenty of dishes to the rest of the feast.  Dessert was well represented as well with over 6 different options.  All in all, it was a great day (despite a loss by my Aggies in the last showdown between T.U. and Texas A&M).

Dad doing what he does best

(ignore his poor choice in apron attire) 

The kid's table is still the coolest table

The man I am most thankful to have in my life!

My German Twins

(my great aunt and grandmother)

My 95 year old grandfather

One of the most amazing men I know

Classic James Family photo

Southbound 45

The last 5 days I spent some quality time with some of the greatest people in my life.  Here's a recap of my journey:

Wednesday

I left work early and headed down to Casa de Bruce to see precious baby Emma on her 1st birthday!  I can't believe this sweet girl is already a year old!  Time goes by way too fast!  Court and I had lunch together and spent some time playing with Emma and catching up on life.  After I left Court's house, I headed southeast to my parent's lake house for a couple of days.

 Baby Emma is 1!

Thursday

My mom and I drove over to Canton and did some shopping.  If you have never experienced Canton, then you need to make plans to go sometime.  It is the first Monday weekend of every month and you can buy just about anything (gifts, food, home decor, etc).  It does entail alot of walking as there are acres and acres of booths and vendors.  We try to go atleast once a year if not more.  It was alittle chilly that morning but wasn't too bad by lunchtime.  Later that afternoon/evening we hung out at the house and worked on my t-shirt quilt.  After dinner we went out on the golf cart to search for deer around sunset.  We were able to catch one on the side of the road.

Friday

I made the trek south to Houston Friday morning so I could meet Nikki and Robert for lunch.  Once I got into town, this malfunction indicator light came on in my car so I had to call VW to see what was wrong.  Luckily there was a VW dealership just across the street from the restaurant where we were eating so I left my car with them for a couple of hours while they made the repair (just alittle unexpected expense on my trip).  I finally got to meet baby Rylee for the first time and she is so sweet!  After spending some time with them (and getting my car back) I headed back north to Spring to stay with Ellen and Ty.  

Saturday

Ellen, Ty and I went down to Nikki's mother's house and we spent the afternoon watching the Aggies fall to OU.  Despite the loss, we had a great time hanging out with one another and passing little Rylee around. 

They call me the baby whisperer

Rylee and her Auntie Ellen

I love these girls!

I finally made it home on Sunday after a stop in Corsicana for lunch with my parents.  The last few days were probably some of the best days ever.  I got to see 3 women that mean more to me than anything and spend some precious time with each of them as well as quality time with my parents.  I am so blessed!