MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We made it back to Savannah! We had such a wonderful time with family and friends back in Iowa and even in the cold and snow. I really enjoyed a good ol' fashioned Iowa Christmas.

More on our trip later...need sleep!

It's COLD here!

This is Tyler's first experience actually playing in snow and he is with Grandma and our 15 year old dog, Max. She even attempts to make a Tyler Snow Angel. I think he is thinking, "What are you doing to me? Get me back inside!"



We are having a great time here, today I went to the Drake vs. Iowa men's basketball game with my mom. It was an exciting game as Drake won 60-43. My grandma and cousin, Perri babysat Tyler while Scott and my dad lounged around home all day. The temp dropped 10 degrees and the wind picked up 20mph while we were inside during the game. We are under a wind chill advisory. We are definitely getting a change of season from sunny mild temp Savannah to wintery COLD Iowa! It really makes it feel like Christmas time though!

Off to Iowa for Christmas

I can't believe we are leaving 70 degree weather to go to 9 degree weather and a snow storm in IOWA. We must really love our family there...and Scott must really love me! However, we will miss everyone here in Savannah for the Christmas Eve celebration.

Here is a preview of Aunt Jenny's Christmas photo shoot...photo in place of card of Tyler are mailed. Very simple this year...so no expectations.

Christmas with Tyler will be exciting. I think Tyler will have a more interesting Christmas, having fun opening new toys and walking around...and he may even get to play in snow. We've really enjoyed listening/reading/singing to Little Town of Bethleham book that Tyler received for his birthday. When you open the book stars light up to the tune of Little Town of Bethleham...mommy tries to sing it...it's a little rough but Tyler likes it! It will be going on the plane with us, so I'm sure everyone else will enjoy it too...except I won't be singing...maybe someone else will!!!!

I'm sure there will be plenty of updates from the Iowa homefront. stay tuned.

Please pray for safe and uneventful travel and for us traveling with a newly walking 1 year old!

Family Stockings

ALL 3 FOR UNDER $10!!! I did it myself. There is hope for this semi-crafty mom...getting to be more crafty....but still was really dizzy inside AC Moore yesterday. It was fun!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Christmas Tree...DEAD

Yep, only 1 week in and I've already killed it! Funny thing though...it's still sucking up water but the branches are turning brown and the needles are all over the place. I'm so disappointed, but hey, maybe it's a sign that we are going to get a great deal on a fake tree after Christmas and from now on I won't have to worry about killing the tree and traveling every other year. Now we really do have a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

Christmas Tree...DONE

Tonight I spotted our Charlie Brown Christmas tree from the road and bet Scott that it would only be $$20. It ended up being $28.95 plus tax...but when I told the guy I bet my husband that it would only be $20 he gave it to me for $25 including tax! YIPEE! I just love getting a deal.

So here it is...sitting on top of the table....with 3 strands of WHITE lights and pretty much all the ornaments we own...except the gold balls...we only used the silver. This will be our last year (for a while) with a real tree. We are going to get a "deal" on a faux tree after the holidays. Mainly because we we only be here for Christmas every other year and with little ones running around I thought it might be easier to keep clean, put up and take down. But who knows what next year will bring???

I got to make every decision this year and not a word of protest from Scott (aka he was "under" on the decorating this year).

And then the fireplace mantel with the nativity scenes, the wooden one passed down from my grandma and of course last years family Christmas picture!

This picture shows the beautiful christmas boxes that are nice and decorative...whenever I try to give one away as a present, Scott gets really stingy and wants to keep them!

Anyways, we enjoyed some sparkling wine, Christmas music, and William Sonoma hot chocolate.

It's Christmas time....in the city!

PS-this might be a record as far as how early we got the tree up...last year may have been close because my mom was here to help. We leave Dec. 17th for Iowa and are staying until Christmas day. THEN having Christmas in Savannah on the 26th.

Love to all!
Carrie