'tis the season to be jolly!

Christmas has finally arrived at the Woodward house! We pulled all the bins of decorations out of the attic on November 29th and it took me until yesterday to finish. 10 days! And I only put out about half our decorations. I am definitely moving slower these days.

View from the front door.

Looking into the dining room.

The only nativity I set up this year. I love the simplicity of having just Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus (my thrifted star is hanging from the ceiling above the nativity).

The dining room.

I am really happy with the yarn trees. They fit perfectly on the new sideboard.

The hutch got a few touches of red and the pennant banner I made last year.

The family room.

I haven't made an evergreen wreath for the mantel yet. It has been unseasonably cold here and I am too wimpy to spend the time needed outside to make the wreath. Hopefully it will warm up a bit and I can get one made.

I will be making new stockings for next Christmas. We will be a family of six (!) by then and Michael and I miss having stockings. They aren't just for kids you know!

I found a place for my (pale) yarn wreath! Michael found this cool red print (you can't see the detail with the wreath on it) in his grandmothers basement years ago. We have always meant to frame it but haven't gotten around to it. I finally did a few weeks ago and then realized it was the perfect spot to set off the wreath. The snow people were made by my grandmother many years ago.

Looking into the kitchen. More of the pennant banner I made last year is strung in the opening and on the windows. Christmas pillows adorn the couch.

I love the glow of the tree at night. A word about ornaments: I have given up on having a "pretty" tree. I let my kids put on whatever they want. Which always ends of being the ornaments they made in school and ones from my childhood but I really like it that way. Our tree won't be winning any design awards but it has character and holds lots of memories.

Only 16 days until Christmas! I have lots still to accomplish. What about you? Are you ready?


UPDATE: I don't want to pretend that I am perfect or that my house is always this pristine! I like a clean and tidy home but I do have three kids. This is what is going on at my house at this very moment (5:32pm):

And really this is pretty mild. More often than not they have all the cushions off the couch and are making a fort with them. Just don't tell my husband... he hates it when they tear apart the couch! :)