Christmas Light Parade '13

Last night was our little town's Christmas Light Parade.

 Adam (far left) is always the creative mind behind our work float.  He has amazing talent and works so hard up until the last second to make sure every single light is in place.

 This year he created a toy conveyor belt.  The lights were timed perfectly to give the illusion that the toys were moving into Santa's sack on the back of the John Deere Gator.

 Santa, of course, was in the back of the Gator.  I was suppose to be Mrs. Clause.  I took this roll because I figured Kallahan would insist on being on the float and this would be a safer place to hold him.  But at the last minute Tyler decided it would be better for them to just watch.  

He loved sitting with daddy and Granny watching the parade.

 Keeler was on the front of the float with the other singing/dancing elves making toys.

 We had the best elves!

 Lupe sang the entire parade procession to Polar Express' "Rockin' on Top of the World" 

 I LOVE the parade night.  It makes our small town feel so quaint.  All the stores down main are open, people are out serving hot chocolate and it just feels like you're living in a storybook.

I love going down the street on the float and watching all the little kids light up when they see our float.  It makes all those looooong hours staying late at work worth it.  My little guys have been great this week "helping." 

We ended up getting 2nd place for commercial floats.  

Below is the little bank float that took first.  

I can't believe it's already the last weekend before Christmas.  We plan on having our little family Christmas tonight and might go see the movie Frozen.  
Merry Friday everyone!   

Holiday Tour of Homes

Linking up with Kelly's Korner Christmas Tour of Homes.  So if you're new to my blog, welcome! 

I love decorating for Christmas and try to bring cheer to my main living areas.  I want my family to come home and just feel warm, cozy and giddy over this magical time of year.  Since I married Tyler, {a real life cowboy y'all!} I embraced the country/cowboy Christmas theme.  Of course I have to class it up a bit so we end up with what I call rustic/glam! Enough talk, come on  in!

I got a new tree after Christmas last year on clearance at Hobby Lobby.  I wanted tall and skinny to fit in our space.  I also didn't want pre-lit because I prefer to use C7 lights.  This is the first year that I also added burlap to our tree.  As we all know, burlap is everywhere and I love the look.  I just tied it in simple bows and added it to my cowboy rope. 

We have tons of ornaments.  I want the entire tree covered!  You can't have too many "memories on branches."  - quote from a Hallmark movie.  Along with decorating my house for Christmas, I'm obsessed with watching corny Hallmark holiday movies during this time of year. 

Our living room has a few touches around the room.

I tried to update our mantel decorations this year.  I added a wreath over my mirror and then painted the Joy sign.

My dining table stays set all through the holidays.  My mom gave us these darling dishes a couple years ago and will always be one of my favorites.  

This is a hutch that's in our dining area.  I just add berries and these cute star lights.  The hutch itself has great significance because it was giving to us in college by my boss – she’s the best and it still reminds me of her.

The little mittens above serve as our advent calendar.  Last year I filled them with candy and small toys.  This year I decided to do something different.  I filled each mitten with a little slip of paper with a written activity like "read a Christmas story", "write a letter to Santa", "build a gingerbread house", etc...  This has been so much fun!

We have two Nativity sets in our home.  The cowboy one is in our dining area and the boy's Nativity is in the living room.  I love them both. 

This little table sits right outside our kitchen.  Versus a tree skirt I opted to place a pair of the little cowboy's old boots under the tree.  This is also where I have started displaying our Christmas cards.  They all make me so happy!

This is the tree that's in Keeler's room.  He wanted to put up our old 8' tree but Tyler convinced him that one his height would be a better choice.  After decorating all day this was music to my ears.  Maybe next year little buddy!  Kallahan also has a tree in his room but the little cowboy was already asleep when I started taking pictures :(

We have a small kitchen so I just added a little cheer around the window sink area.  I painted another sign and made the fabric bunting over the window.

and our tour can't be complete without a picture of my Christmas presents.  Yes, this girl got a new washer/dryer.  Not the most glamorous of gifts but I can't complain. :)

Thanks for stopping by our Christmas home. It's fun to share my decorations and I always enjoy looking at other homes.  There are so many great ideas!  

I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cards

I've heard from family and friends that our Christmas card was the first one they received this year.  That was not my goal by any-means but it was just one thing I wanted to get taken care of so I could enjoy the holidays.  I LOVE receiving Christmas cards.  I display them all month long and the little cowboys love to talk about them.  They are starting to come in but I don't feel like I've received nearly as many {so far} this year.  I hope people are just procrastinating and this is not a dying tradition.

Design by Shutterfly.

 

To see our cards from year's past (click here).

How about you, have you received many cards this year?

Weekend Whoas!

 Oh my, where do I begin?  Our world has been exciting the past few days.  Mid-week Tyler and his uncle lost two cows.  When the vet came out he confirmed that Tetanus had taken them.  The following day they were alarmed to find they had lost two more.  They were advised to start taking temps of the entire herd to see how many where infected and unfortunately over half their herd had over 100º temps.  They needed to start treating all their cattle with antibiotic.  This was horrible news as it’s a daunting task to treat that many but to make matters worse we have been hit with an extreme cold front.  I think the high Thursday and Friday was mid-teens!  Our poor guys were out working in it all day! 

I called Tyler on the Friday morning to see how the cattle were doing.  He said they hadn't lost anymore and he had a little helper with him.  That’s right, Keeler had offered his services because he told Tyler he needed him.  

photo c/o Daddy

Tyler came home boasting with pride about how well Keeler had done.  He ran the “hot shocker” all day.  He couldn’t even see over the pins but Tyler said he was great help and never complained.  Tyler had him well attired for cold weather but I still can’t believe he did so well.  I hope he is always a hard worker.

On Saturday, Keeler went back out with Tyler.  There was no stopping him.  Kallahan and I did laundry and then I spent time getting ready for my work Christmas party. 

 You can tell in this picture that poor Tyler has wind burn and is exhausted but he was still the best date.  

 We had a great time!  We had a nice dinner and then went bowling.  This was our first party with our new location manager and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. 

On Sunday, we went to Sunday school.  Keeler wanted to go back out to the farm as soon as we got out.  I'm telling you, this boy is committed!  I drove him out so he could work and then Kallahan and I came back into town to do some shopping.  

In the afternoon we went and delivered Granny a poinsettia.  We got them for work and they were beautiful so I knew she would love one.   

 Kallahan's upset because he wanted his picture without Keeler.  "me, me." 

After a good Sunday nap the little cowboys and I made gingerbread cookies.  Keeler was really good with the dough.  He was really into icing them too but that only lasted about 5 minutes and then I was left high and dry to ice about 3 dozen cookies and with a big mess.  It was well worth it when Keeler told me that Christmastime is his favorite time of year!

Our Thanksgiving

Just a quick recap & pictures from our Thanksgiving holiday!

 Wednesday we packed up and headed to Texas to be with family.  Keeler was cooperative (for once) and posed for me with his festive preschool crafts!  

 Thanksgiving we had lunch at my parent's house.  It was a combined family Thanksgiving. Tyler's parents and siblings attended.  This meant Keeler and Kallahan had 3 boy cousins to play with.  They LOVED it!  

After lunch the Smith's stop by and I got to hold a cute little turkey!  

 All the food was fabulous and I ate waaaay too much!  The little boys on the other hand didn't eat anything but olives and pickles.  They were just too busy to eat.

However, us ladies worked hard burning off those extra calories by SHOPPING!  We headed out at 4pm for the first sale.  Then we just went from store to store until 5am.  We had so much fun!  We went and took a 2 hour nap and then Keeler and Kal thought it was time for mommy and aunt Samantha to get up.  Oddly we felt okay.  Good deals keep our adrenaline pumping.

 Late morning our dad went over and picked up my sister's kids.  Once we had all the kids we had lunch and then went back out shopping.  I know, we are crazy but I got all my Christmas shopping completed. 

Jacey and I also found new boots!  This is my um, Christmas present to myself.

 On Friday evening the little cowboys and their cousin Bryon went to Lubbock with their Mimi and Jim-dad to ride on the Polar Express.  They got dressed in the cutest pajamas.

 Mimi & Jim-dad were great and sent us lots of pictures while on the train.  They all had such a good time.  Us 'big kids' enjoyed a nice dinner out and then went over to Tim & Erica's.

On Sunday we loaded the car and ventured home.  The boys were impressed with one of my black Friday deals:  dual DVD player and matching headphones.

 But then we turned the corner and they were both out.  Someone even fell asleep with beef jerky in his mouth.  Stranger fact was he continued to eat it in his sleep.  Tyler and I were dying! 
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
  

...and when we got home our elf Howie had arrived!  He was seated at the boys little table with a note to each boy and these little personalized boot plates.  I think he said he bought the plates off Zulily and his stationary can be found here.  Thanks Jen for the cute FREE printables!  Since then Howie has been 'trying' to be more creative.     

Webb Family Photos

Over the Thanksgiving break my sister-in-law, Tiffany, asked if I would take their family photos.  {Make sure and check out her blog thebaseballmommy.blogspot.com.}  

I had so much fun taking their photos.  All her boys were so cooperative - a lot different from the boys in my life!  I could tell you all day how wonderful they turned out but I'll just let you see for yourself...  

 Bryon was so good the entire time!  He even said he had some ideas for his photos.  Tiffany and I decided that he might have a modeling career in his future.  Seriously, look at this kid!  Next GQ model?

and we can't forget Brody.  He is such a little doll!

I hope these put a smile on your face because this family sure makes me happy.  

Stay tuned for our thanksgiving recap!