Christmas Decorating and Cookie Exchange

I spent the week getting all the Christmas decor up in time for my Cookie Exchange.

Our years of Santa photos are on display.

The kids bedroom trees are up and decorated.

And they have been enjoying their manger scene and box of Christmas stories.

For the party, we did a fire...it was so warm and cozy on a chilly, rainy night.

The kitchen was ready for the display of treats.

Jasmine took a late nap, so instead of being asleep like I planned...she was awake and ready to party dressed in her Christmas cookie pj's!

Such yumminess!

I set up a coffee and hot chocolate bar.

We also drank a cranberry orange pineapple punch and egg nog.

The ladies gathering around introducing their treats to everyone else.

Everyone took home a box full to share with their families.

It was a lot of fun. Several friends stayed past midnight!
We just couldn't stop talking. :)

Here Comes Santa Clause

We took the kids to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa's Wonderland.

All the events are free including this adorable Reindeer Carousel!

A Reindeer Carousel is a gorgeous sight to see!

Jasmine LOVED her first merry-go-round ride. Every time she passed, the people near me would ooh and ahh over how adorable "that baby" is. I just smiled.

Frosty wandered around taking photos with kids. Our daughter who has always had an intense fear of people dressed in costume...was having NONE of the jolly snowman.

Jayden's best friend Cooper and his parents met us there and we thought what a great photo op in front of this oversized Nutcracker!! Umm...not so much....

Cause Frosty was on the prowl and Vivi knew it.

And she spotted him!! Ahhhhhh!!!!
The horror!

Soo...here is our adorable Nutcracker photo...minus a certain 4 year old girl. :)

But she got it together in time for Santa photos. This was fun...."Isaac, don't make that face!"

"Jasmine, look over here!!!"

"Seriously, Isaac. You are the oldest! Come ON!"

Well...the baby isn't smiling, but atleast she isn't crying, right?

Santa wandered over to play race track with Vivi. I loved this!! So picturesque.
She was happy to tell everyone that she was not afraid of Santa anymore!
Took us 4 years to get here. :)

And we had to get one last shot of Baby's First visit to Santa...

She may not have smiled for Saint Nick...but she smiled BIG for Daddy!

Bass Pro has lots to look at.

Pop guns.

And Christmas presents for all the cow folk in your life.

There is also a beautiful train the kids can control.

And shooting ranges!

And of course lots and lots of beautiful holiday photo ops.

Oh Kitchen Tree....Oh Kitchen Tree....

My final decor project of the season (for now!) is something I have wanted for a couple of years...a Kitchen Tree! This is a tree that only holds food and kitchen related ornaments. I finally was able to get it this year! I found a 6 foot very skinny white pre-lit tree.
The perfect size and color for a kitchen.

The tree has gingerbread houses, candy pieces, cookies...

Plus a toaster, blender, and mixer!

There are also foods like a hot dog, hamburger, and soft pretzel that I collected on clearance over the past couple of years in anticipation of getting the tree going!

This is one I added to my collection this year and is my current favorite: a jar of wrapped peppermint lollipops! Adorable!!

The gingerbread cookies and houses that adorn the tree match the super cute tree skirt I found.

What could be more "kitchen" then gingerbread men, cupcakes, and ric rac!!

The only gift that will go under this tree is the one the kids open at "Jesus' Birthday Party". Our annual celebration with red velvet cake, the kids dress up in costume..and we celebrate the birth of Christ. It is a lot of fun!

All of our Starbucks ornaments are also on this tree.
7 Christmases of Billy working for the company!

The tree topper was also purchased last year the day after Christmas. I knew I wanted a white tree with cherry red and apple green colors. It was a perfect match!