8th Day...

Of Things That Remind Me of Christmas...

Post Office CHAOS Giving gifts!
I love making, picking out, buying, wrapping, sending Christmas gifts for other people. Nothing makes me more happy!

Don't get me wrong! I know Christmas isn't all about the presents and things. It definitely has more value than that. But I love showing others that I think about them and have put thought and planning behind their gifts. To me, that makes them more special.

Merry Christmas!

9th day...

Single digit people... single digit! We have 9 days until Christmas. One sister in law came into town yesterday and the other comes into town on Monday (I may be more excited to see John's sisters than he is! Yay for some GIRL TIME)!

But lets get back to my point:

9th day of Things That Remind Me of Christmas

LIGHTS!

We didn't hang any this year (sad, we are even in our OWN house to do it) but I have big plans for next year. But I l O V E seeing everyone with Christmas lights up. Makes me so happy to see sparkly little lights.

With one exception... SINGING LIGHTS

Our next door neighbors have lights that are linked with a sound box that plays Christmas music. It was cute for a few minutes but quickly got very annoying. We talk nightly about how to cut the box.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Thursday! I have ONE (and a half) work day left and then I am on vacation for TWO weeks. Two weeks people!!

10th Day of...

Things that remind me of Christmas:

Christmas GOODIES!! I love baking and decorating yummy Christmas treats. Tonight, I plan to bake some more.

The list includes:

Rice Krispie Treats (with some festive sprinkles... maybe a batch dipped in Chocolate)

Peanut Butter Balls (family recipe... TO DIE FOR!)

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Sugar Cookies

Pumpkin Cookies

Peppermint Bark

I think thats all I (and my kitchen) can handle.

And just for fun...

11th day

...of things that remind me of Christmas.

"Rats! Nobody sent me a Christmas card today. I almost wish there weren't a holiday season. I know nobody likes me. Why do we have to have a holiday season to emphasize it?" ~ Charlie Brown Christmas Movie.

Christmas Cards!

I love them... I hang them up each year as I receive them. This year they are currently pasted on my pantry door in my kitchen. I look at them each morning. We have such wonderful family and friends. I am grateful for all of them and look forward to being able to afford our own Christmas card to send out!!

On the 12th Day of Christmas...

Did you know that its officially 12 days before Christmas? Seriously!? Where does time go...

Even though its only TWELVE days until one of my favorite holidays, I am having a hard time feeling the spirit of it all. Maybe its because the weather in Tucson is more like Spring than it is winter (or even fall).

So to jump start the holiday joy, I have decided to start a 12 Days of blog-Christmas! :) Random things that I hear, see, find, that remind me of why I love this time of year...

12th Day of things that remind me of Christmas:

Family!! I love love love all the family time that gets to happen during the holidays. For this Christmas we are staying here in Tucson and we get to spend it with John's family. I am really excited (granted, I will miss my own family as well) but all his sisters are going to be home (with their significant others) and its going to be one big POWELL-FEST! :)

While we are on the subject of family... the last two years I have got to spend it with my little monster and this year I will miss him greatly!

Christmas 2008 (New Jersey)

Christmas 2009 (Las Vegas)

And this year he is even bigger... (cause he turned 2!!) but sadly I will just have to call him and wish him a Merry Christmas over the phone.