Christmas 2015

Christmas 2015

I am glad all of the running around and craziness known as Christmas shopping is over, however, I am not ready to let Christmas go just yet. I haven't had my fill of Christmas tunes and lights.

I kept the decorating on the simple side this year.

I wasn't in the mood for all of the "stuff"... my Santa collection, my village, the Christmas dishes or the big tree in the dining room. 

Actually, I was feeling lazy.

I did muster up enough energy and made a new wreath for the front door.

I found a red, black and white flannel ribbon and that I couldn't resist.

The tree looks the same year after year except for the bow on top sometime changes.

Our tree pretty much tells the story of our family because we've collected and filled it with ornaments  that had something to do with our past year. 

I love decorating our tree and seeing all of the ornaments year after year. 

(Barrett's first word was duck and she used to love finding ladybugs. We used to have two Westies. )

(my aunt made this out of different pastas and a thumbtack)

(Brooke's first movie)

(one of our sweet Westie's paw print)

Around the house,

I filled containers, bowls and shelves with holly, pine, cedar and magnolia cuttings 

from the yard. 

I used mercury glass candle (holders) that I have been collecting for 

Brittany's wedding everywhere I could. 

I copied Pottery Barn and had a large grouping on one of their trays on my coffee table. 

LOVED lighting my candles every night. 

We made several batches of caramel corn for neighbors and friends that stopped by. 

Barrett and I love shopping for our wrapping paper and coming up with our theme for the year. 

This year there were a lot of plaid, stripes and deer. 

Our craft room gets DESTROYED during Christmas. 

I just close the door and ignore it until Christmas is over.

Grown up Christmases are hard getting used to. 

Brittany and Brooke had to work on Christmas, so again this year we had to ignore the date on the calendar and celebrate a few days early. 

(Brittany is a nurse and worked the night shift on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Brooke is a flight attendant and was on call December 24th - 27th and had to be in DC.)

Brooke and Mr. E came home Saturday and stayed through Wednesday so we had a lot of time together.  Brittany didn't have to work those days either, but unfortunately Mr. B was still Nashville working.

Saturday night we went the Angus Barn - and so did everyone else in Raleigh!  We didn't go to eat dinner, but wanted to sit in the Wild Turkey Lounge and have a few appetizers. We waited for several hours because they do not take reservations in the lounge.  This is my go to place to get some Christmas spirit and everyone knew that this was at the top of my list so they were good sports about the wait. 

 They do such a great job decorating I have to go every year to see what is new. 

(love the little elf in the tree!) 

If you give a man a camera....

I couldn't wait to get my gingerbread man as we were leaving!

Sunday, we went to my dad's house which is an hour away from Raleigh.  I organized a family reunion of my dad's side of the family.  We hadn't seen each other in several years so it was a good time catching up with everyone. I took a camera with a dead battery so didn't take the pictures I had planned.  

When we got home Sunday night we went to the late showing of the Star Wars movie. (What is its name again?) All of my crew gave it two thumbs up. 

Monday was our Christmas Eve.

 I didn't take pictures, but we cooked a little during the day for "Christmas" and made appetizers for dinner. We opened pajamas and watched a Christmas movie. 

Tuesday we celebrated "Odom Christmas". 

We had a late lunch - short ribs, mashed potatoes, sauteed brussel sprouts with pecans and cranberries and mushrooms. 

My dad came and brought his lady friend - that is what he calls her 

and it makes me giggle every time I say it.  

It was the first time we met her. 

She was very nice.

I hope we didn't scare her away.

Tuesday night we opened presents. 

Everyone surprised me by wearing their Christmas sweaters!

Mr. E even dressed for the occasion! 

We couldn't decide if he was wearing a tomato or elf sweater! 

Looks like they were all good this year! 

Well, everyone was good except for Charlie! 

(It is mole season!)

Santa brought us all a different colored ten foot phone cord!

Maybe this will keep World War 3 from breaking out!

Bubbles thinks Santa brought him his very own beta fish! 

He is going to be very sad when Barrett takes it back to college with her!

Wednesday, Brooke and Mr. E headed back to DC and the rest of us were lazy for the next few days.  It was so nice to sit on the couch and not have to travel or cook on Christmas. 

Over the weekend, Mr. B came over and hung out with us. We watched football and we grilled hamburgers outside because it feels like it is summer here. We decided to stop complaining about how warm it is and get out there and enjoy it. 

Mr. B flew back to Nashville on Sunday evening and Brittany headed to work.

And that is the short story made long of our 2015 Christmas! 

Hope Santa was good to you!