I'm dreaming of a 90's Christmas

I love Christmas, decorating for Christmas, buying people presents for Christmas, baking for Christmas and so forth and so on. When Kate was a brand new baby I decided to make stockings for us. They were so cute and oh so 1997. But I didn't know they would one day be described as "1997". They were just cute and the decorating style I enjoyed at the time. As other babies came along I bought similar stocking kits so that I could make everyone else lovely "1997" stockings. But now, I have been told, "Mom, so many of your decorations are 90's". Yes my darlings, that is because THAT is when I made them. I have other, modern decor that I also love and what I end up with is an eclectic mix of items from 20 years of happy Christmas's that I can look at and love and be reminded of beautiful times in our lives. So the mantle is 2016, the stockings are 1997 and everything else is a beautiful mix of the two.

I love our sweet tree, and each and every ornament. Some are 20 years old, some are from the dollar store, some are precious others are not. But again, its just us somehow. I love looking at the beautiful photos of Christmas decor. White and silver and gold and burlap and vintage. It delightful. And maybe someday, as the kids grow up and take their stockings with them, and ask for the now "vintage" 90's decor for their own houses, I will do that.  Until then, its eclectic and mixed decades for this gal. 

Thanksgiving weekend

Now that Kate is at college, there are many times where confusion crosses our faces. We need a table for 8, no 7:( There was the realization that when a kitchen chair broke it was fine because it left us with 7 instead of 8. When we gather for family prayer it takes us a second to realize that we don't have an 8th person to wait for. The only time its not a problem is with the extra brownie;)

But for sure the one thing that we couldn't do with only 7 was go Christmas tree hunting. So with Kate was home for Thanksgiving off we went to our favorite spot. 

 However the very little snow in our usual hunting spot was a bit of a let down. The sleds and the gloves went unused in the back of the car. But it didn't keep these beautiful people from looking their best in their winter gear.

There was a lot of discussion about the size of the tree this year. I thought it needed to be tiny because of the spot I had planned for it. But Jeff and Anne Marie were determined, and maybe had a little premonition, that a bigger one would be fine. And it was, I moved some furniture around and we found a lovely place for it right in front of the window. Charlie also decided that it was his turn to put the angel on the tree. I don't think he realized that included a prime photo op. Gone are the days of dad lifting him up to reach the top. *sigh*

One of the things on our list to do while Kate was here was to hike Manastash Ridge. Its one of our favorite things to do, hers mine and Jeff's. The other kids are so so about it, so we let them sleep Saturday morning while the three of us went.

And last but not least, my first church selfie with my girl. She sat next to me all through church, just like when she was little, snuggled up and happy next to her mama. It was wonderful to have her in Sunday School and Relief Society with me. There are a few perks to her being an adult now:)

I am so grateful that my whole family was back together for the weekend. Its the little things that I really miss about having her here all the time: her relationship with her siblings, the way she does the dishes without me saying anything, the hugs, OH the hugs!! Kate gives such good hugs. So now the countdown til Christmas vacation and we are all together for 2 1/2 weeks! Bless my little heart but its good to be a mom. Happy Thanksgiving!!