What Christmas Looks Like at My House

Last year, I joined the hundreds of others who linked on to BooMama's Christmas Home Tour. I am so glad I did because as I was decorating this year, I went back to those old postings to see where I had put a few things. (I know I say often how my memory is bad -- but it REALLY IS bad!!) Those pictures made me realize that my mantle last year was really boring -- so off to the store I went! :)


I decided not to join BooMama this year; but, did want to post pictures of our house anyway. My parents are the only family who have been to our house at Christmastime; so, if nothing else, the rest of our family can see how everything looks. In all reality, these pictures are actually going to help me next year when I am decorating!!


This is my "snowflake" tree. I have red, green and white jingle bells and white snowflakes all over it. In Houston, this is usually the only snow we see!

My homemade Santa greets you in the entryway in his "twiggy" sled.

Our England Santa sits on our Dining Room table. As I said last year, this poor Santa's view is sure not the same as it was a few years ago. Chris and I were standing on a street in Stratford-Upon-Avon looking at Shakespeare's home. I turned around and this Christmas store was behind us. In the window, looking toward Shakespeare's home was this Santa! I had to have him!!

Welcome to our living room. If you can't tell, I LOVE snowmen! This is actually a bit odd since I don't like being cold and told Chris that I never want to live anywhere that is cold! I am getting very accustomed to Texas' hot, soupy weather!







This tree is sitting on my kitchen counter. When we brought it home a few weeks ago, we told the boys that was our tree this year. (You would think they would quit listening to us for as often as we tease them!) I said they would only get enough gifts to go under that tree. Colby looked heartbroken; however, Connor gladly said, "That's OK. The cell phone I want will fit perfectly under that!" Ha!!

Decorating the tree...




Some of my favorite ornaments...




Merry Christmas to all!!

No Dessert For Colby

Earlier this week, (when it snowed in Houston!), I made a big pot of chili. After putting the finishing touches on the Christmas tree tonight, I told the boys that we were going to have Frito Pie to use up the chili. Colby quickly chimes in and says, " I'll just take the Frito's. I don't like pie."

A Winter Wonderland -- Kind Of --

Taking Colby to the bus stop this morning was an artic-feeling experience: there was an icy sleet falling!! For those who do not live near Houston, this is a highly unusual sight to see -- especially since it was about 78 degrees yesterday! Well, as the day has progressed, more sleet has fallen and it is downright SNOWING in the front of The Woodlands right now!!

Traditions

I guess once you do something for six years it becomes a tradition -- no matter how far from different it is to when you grew up! Instead of spending Thanksgiving cooking and cleaning and hanging out at grandparents homes, we head to Abilene and stay in a hotel!! It is not too much of a stretch to say the Blakley women are not all into that cooking stuff and my dad doesn't like that cleaning up stuff -- so about 7 years ago, my sister and her family, my family, and our parents decided to start meeting somewhat halfway.

Abilene is a sweet, old, laid-back town with a great all-suites hotel that serves a good breakfast and a great Thanksgiving buffet. The kids love playing in the swimming pool, playing in the game area -- video games, ping pong, pool tables, shuffle board -- and throwing the football around outside in a big grassy area. They love going to Happy Hour every night to get a coke and maybe a snack. And the kids also depend on Aunt DD to bring the crafts to take up the extra time!

The day after Thanksgiving has been one of "discovering Abilene". We have been to the zoo, Children's Museum, parks, movies, and bowling alleys. It has been a nice, relaxing way to spend a holiday together without all the work that goes with it!! And, for my husband, who loves all the cooking, he only has to wait a few short weeks for Christmas to have a true home-cooked feast!

Craft time!


Waiting to eat!



Connor ate seven plates of food!


Working off all that food!


A tradition that will never change -- naptime!

The Boy Versus the Bed

And Connor wonders why no one wants to sleep with him!!

For Mature Audiences Only

Colby had baseball practice last night and, let's just say, it has been a sad season. They have yet to win a league game and have only won one game in a tournament. I don't know who is more frustrated -- the coaches or the boys.

As the boys were warming up, the coaches were talking amongst themselves and the head coach laughingly said that winning is overrated.

This morning at breakfast, Colby stopped eating and said, "Mom, do you know that my baseball team is rated R?"

Football Season - 1 Injuries - 0

We made it!! Football season ended last night and Connor made it through without one injury!! Yipee!

Connor has never played football because his mom has been too scared he would get hurt (and I know nothing about football so I figured I would be bored!). I thought I would enjoy watching the cheerleaders; but, I guess I have been in a household of boys for too long because I really didn't enjoy watching them at all! The only thing that amazed me is that they still use the same cheers as we did 20 years ago!!

Last night's game was by far the most exciting game. We were down 13-6 with 1 minute 20 seconds to play. One of Connor's best buddies since 1st grade ended up catching the ball and making his first touchdown ever! Then another friend of his made the kick and we won 14-13!

I will now eat my words and say that I did enjoy football!

Here are a few pictures of my #32 in action: