Christmas Time!

I just love this time of year! We have had so much fun this season. We decorated our house very early- one reason was because we were going to be in CO for a week and I didn't want to have to do it when I got back and second because, well, I just love having the house decorated!! I did a new mantel this year. I loved my one I have done for the past 2 years, but I was ready for something different. And this goes with the theme of our house more. It is a more homey, rustic feel with all the distressed/vintage furniture and rock. You cant see the garland very well, but it is there along with pine cones and red sparkly leaves. I just love they way it turned out!

Bella helped put up lights

We took a trip to Branson to see all the lights and just have a weekend to ourselves. Its was a blast and I want to go back next year!!

Silver Dollar City

Our Hotel

We have also had Christmas parties with church, school and work and they have been a blast. My favorite was party with our life group. We had it at our house and we had 23 people there! We all brought a traditional Christmas dish and we had SO much food! We played our game I mentioned in a previous post and we have trash bags full of toys to donate. I was sad that we didn't take one picture from that night. We are so blessed by finding this group of couples and we are quickly becoming good friends. 

I had a work party and a Christmas lunch that was today and it was so fun. I also have started getting Christmas presents from my kids and they are so sweet. Here are just a few of my favorite ones..

I only have to work one more and and I'm off until the 7th! I am very excited about the break, but I am sad about not seeing my kids everyday. They always brighten up my day and I know I will enjoy the time off, but I will be ready to get back!

Also, I have had many people ask about my hair. My friend Natalie introduced me to this curing iron.

Thanks you Natalie! It is great, wonderful, awesome and I could go on forever. I love love love this thing and it creates such cute waves! It does take a while to do, well at least for me because of the thickness and length of my hair. It takes me about 45-50 minutes, and yes I know that seems like a long time, but it stays and I can wear it down for 2-3 days and then it looks way cute in a ponytail after that. So I don't have to do my hair for 5 days! I love it! I have gotten so many compliments when I wear it like that and I just thought I would pass on the secret. I just curl it layer by layer and then when it is all curled I gently run my fingers through and go. No hair spray or anything!

Tonight, Natalie and I were suppose to go out for our Christmas dinner, but she was in a wreck this morning. Please say a prayer for her. So, since I was already in the mood for it... Mitch went ahead and took me ha! It was fun and the food was delicious, as usual. Now we are back at home relaxing and watching Christmas movies! Tomorrow at school, it is Pajama day! I just got some new Christmas pj pants and also a new pair of Razorback pj pants.. so I am currently trying to decide which to wear tomorrow :) We are having donuts and watching The Polar Express- so I would say thats a pretty good day at work ha!

Have a great week! We are headed to Bentonville the end of the week to spend a few days there and have Christmas with Mitch's family! I am so excited!