Deck the Halls!

I was not into the blogging world last year for BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes, but I thought it would fun to participate this year. If for no other reason, Maria is frequently asking to see pictures of our new (okay, its not really new anymore) home in Ohio. Merry Christmas and enjoy the tour.***

Welcome to our home - I must say, as tempted as I have been to paint the door, I do love having a white door because everything shows up!

Upon entering, you'll come into our foyer. Typically this has a few other kid friendly decorations, but they appear to have been hidden (hence why they are kid friendly).

The stairwell was new creation this year. For whatever reason, it has gone undecorated in past years. This year it has become a beautiful array of lights (and doubles as a nightlight!)

The Living Room shelf was a last minute creation. I had a lot of ribbon left from another project you'll see later on the tour and I decided to use it on shelves throughout the house. This is one of my favorites, especially because the winter scene in the picture is enhanced by all the decorations.

On the other side of the foyer is our formal dining room. I must say the photographer (that's me) did not really do this room justice. Its much more beautiful at night when the garland is lit and the china hutch lights are on... but you'll need to use your imagination.

Here is a picture of the buffet and hutch up close:

This window hangs over our wine rack and is something that changes seasonally. This year I simply took some of my holly (which I used elsewhere throughout the dining room) and added it to to the ivy. Get it... holly and the ivy!!!

On to our family room. The arrangement of furniture was new this year (and done with the help of my dear friend Kristen) to allow the tree to be in this corner. I really like it here versus other places we've had it as you can see it upon entering the room. If you look closely at the picture, you will see the miniature tour guide, she just couldn't stay out of the picture!

Here is our mantle and fireplace.

And last on the official tour is the Snow Village, each year I wonder where to put it as the village grows and each year it ends up on top of the TV curio. Somehow I always find room for the latest addition. I think year's village arrangement is my favorite.

Although this concluded the official tour of the McGregor home, I did mention my ribbon project this year. After reading and viewing some craft ideas from Maria, I came up with this fun idea for my 5 red stars that decorate my kitchen soffit all year round. It was so easy and it added just a little more Christmas spirit to my kitchen.

Thank you for taking a tour of our home. We wish each and every one a blessed Christmas season.

***I, like Maria, am totally blown away by the beautiful, elegant, and elaborate decorations of these homes. I am not in anyway competing or comparing my work... it would just shame me:)

The Christmas Story (on ice)

Ever since Thanksgiving weekend, K has been obsessed with Disney on Ice. She got to see Mickey, Minnie, and the crew on ice in Des Moines while visiting Grandma and Grandpa. While the first 5 minutes were a rather overwhelming adventure (including repeated requests to sit in the car and go home), the minute Minnie walked/skated out she declared "I love this!" So it has been no surprise that for the last 2 weeks, we've been "playing" a lot of things "On Ice". To this point, it has meant we just pretend to ice skate around the basement while playing whatever we were doing before. Today it took on a new level.

Today, we had to play the Christmas Story. K has several books of her own with this story, but her new favorite is a library book that is about a preschool who performs the Christmas Story. So K decided our roles. She would play Mary, I would play Joseph, and her stuffed deer (named Tiny Star) would be Baby Jesus because "he's a good deer so he can be Jesus". We had a Little People doll, Raggedy Ann, and Dressy Bessie playing the 3 Wise Men and a stuffed Snoopy Dog as the Shepard boy. It all seemed pretty normal for a 3 year old mind and then.... "Mary" proceeded to put on her roller skates so we can be "On Ice".

Please picture this... Mary is now roller/ice skating to Bethlehem (aka around the basement playroom) with Joseph (me) and a tiny deer under her arm. When I did ask if "Jesus" was born yet, "Mary replied" " Yes, he already came from the sky" (okay- babies come the sky- good answer at 3!)

After several trips around the basement, a song from the shepherds (Joy to the World- sung by me) and the 3 Wise Men (Star of Wonder- sung by K). Mary and Joseph stopped at the "Inn" (playhouse), rang the doorbell, and proceeded to place Jesus in the manager (doll cradle).

And that folks, is the Christmas Story on Ice... probably not coming to venue near you soon, but if my video camera is within reach next time, it may show up on YouTube.

Decorating our Hearts

Today is one of those days when I'm in a zone. Today its the decorating zone... all I want to is decorate for Christmas. Earlier this week, I was really having serious motivation issues regarding decorating. I'm not sure if its the perfectionist in me, the insane amount of Christmas out before Thanksgiving, or just not wanting to deal with the mess that must first occur before the final result is achieved.

So last night, after K begged us, we all went out to put out the small amount of outdoor lights that is the norm for our house. And then something clicked. I realized that decorating for Christmas isn't just about getting the house looking perfect and festive, its also a time for me to prepare my heart for the real meaning of Christmas. Decorating is about preparing for the arrival of the King, Christ Jesus. And if God has spent so much effort into creating a room for me in His house, then I can certainly spent a little time each year preparing for His arrival... not only in my home but more importantly, in my heart.

So, off to continue decorating. And while doing so, I'm greatly awaiting the arrival of Christ Jesus again this year.

Happy Advent, Blessed Christmas, and Merry Decorating~

Home Sweet Home

I love to travel... anyone who knows me knows that. But I really think one of the best parts of traveling is coming home. There is nothing better than being completely exhausted, usually from hours upon hours in the car with a wee-little one or from battling the less-than-experienced travelers at the airport, and walking into your own house, using your own bathroom, and completely collapsing into your own bed.

Oh its true (and this drives my husband and my buck-eye friends a little nuts) that I still don't really consider the state of Ohio home as I do Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. But if you define home as being where I want to be at the end of a long day of travel, than Ohio is it, for now. This is where I find my husband and daughter, my house, and my bed. And wonderful it all is... so I guess this is it... Ohio is now: Home Sweet Home!

Okay, People, I'm back...

I am back. I know, its been a ridulcous amount of time. I have no excuse. And trust me, I have tried to come up with a few good ones.

I promise to make better use of this internet space I call my blog (and the new laptop I scored at 6:00 AM from Staples is going to help!)

Happy Day!!!

The one about my husband.

Thanks, Julz for posting this... this was fun to read and fill out. Play along ladies, if you dare!

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? Modern Marvels (if its about anything running on diesel) or comedy central, which he will turn off when I walk in the room!

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Bleu Cheese

3. What's one food he doesn't like? Really not a chocolate guy...how are we together?? :)

4. You go out to the bar. What does he order? If he's making it an early evening, Miller Lite or maybe something unique on tap (Fat Tire, Leinnes' seasonal, etc) but if its a good night out, Crown and Coke.

5. Where did he go to high school? Marshalltown- go bobcats!

6. What size shoe does he wear? Size 11.5-12 - looking at him, you'd never guess.

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? Auction brochures... seriously, baseball hats.

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? Hot sandwiches... like a Quizno's or a toasted sub

9. What would he eat every day if he could? Ice cream or red meat....

10. What is his favorite cereal? Hmm, can't remember the last time I saw him eat cereal.

11. What would he never wear? Probably an Ohio State shirt (sorry, Buckeye fans!)

12. What is his favorite sports team? He doesn't really have one... but if his MIL asks, it better be the Packers.

13. Who will he vote for? I do know, but we're not happy with either party right now...

14. Who is his best friend? Aside from me... Jason Evans, college roommate.

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? Probably put downy in his whites load.

16. How many states has he lived in?3... IA, MN, and OH

17. What is his heritage? Scottish... about 150%!!

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what would it be?Anything with ice cream on the side

19. Did he play sports in high school? He was on the swim team

20. What could he spend hours doing? Searching the web for equipment, construction jobs, and bid letting... CRAZY, isn't he?

21. Does he belong to any men's organizations?No.

House Rules

I grew up in a big family... not Dugger size of 16, but there are 5 kids. I am the oldest and there are 12.5 years between me and the baby (who is now 19). After me there is my sister Amy, my brother Kyle, my sister Kya, and baby brother Kale. We are currently spread across the US - literally, with one sister in Virginia, one in Seattle, a brother in Philly, the other in Chicago and us in Ohio. And yet, we're close. I talk to my sisters at least once a week (or leave them a voicemail) and I try to talk to my brothers often, but boys being boys... conversations are not usually lenghty.

Anyway, I digress. The thing I remember about living in a house with 5 kids under 13 was there wasn't the chaos that you might expect. Granted I moved to college at 18 and so there were only really a few years with ALL of us at home, but even now when we're all home, with spouses and kids, its not chaotic. Oh, I remember days that seemed chaotic, like Junior Prom, my sister and I both trying to get ready and fighting over the curling iron (luckily the scar is gone!) or trying to leave for a 20 hour drive to FL with 5 kids in a van (okay that was insane not chaotic!) but yet I wonder, in amazement, how my parents accomplished that! There is nothing that sticks out in my mind, like family meetings or a big list of house rules, we just somehow did it.

I mention all this because even in our household of 3 (2 adults and a 3-yo) it can feel a little chaotic. So I've been thinking about house rules - what house rules or family rules do we need? Do we really need any other than loving and respecting each other? So my question is - does your family have house rules/family rules? Did you write them down? I'm looking for some input... and I'll post more later when our family decides on our own.