My Christmas Tea 2014

Flashback to December 7, 2014

"Come, let us have some tea and continue to talk about happy things..."

Do you have a favorite day of the year?  Maybe it's your birthday, your anniversary?  Maybe it's your favorite holiday?  Well, my favorite day of the year is the day of my Christmas Tea.  

I started this tradition in 2011 and have carried it on every year since.  It's a day to celebrate with the closest ladies in my life.  I host every year, just after my house is freshly adorned with warm and festive Christmas decor.  My house is the perfect house for afternoon tea, after all. :)

I always prepare lunch and dessert and always try to make it extra special.  There's always plenty of holiday tea, coffee, hot cocoa and hot apple cider.  Every year, I make something for all of my guests, whether it be a Christmas planner or a set of handmade Christmas Tags....or like this year...a "Paint Your Own Mug" kit!  

We exchange gifts in our annual cut-throat, fierce game of "White-Elephant" (hahaha) and it's the most fun!  We chat, eat, do crafts, eat some more, open gifts, sip tea and make everlasting memories.  It is and will always be my absolute favorite day of the year. 

My wonderful guests:  My Grandpa's lady friend (whom I consider to be my sweet step-grandma) Sally, my Aunt Terri, my Mother-In-Law Sonna, my sister Bri, my sister Ginger and my mom Sally!

Christmas Shopping With the Girls!

Flashback to December 6, 2014

There's nothing I love more than spending time with my best girls!  My mom and sisters are my best friends and the fun we have together is beyond measure.  On this day, we went to Tucson for a little bit of Christmas shopping.  There's just something so comforting about having a girl's day of...shopping and eating!  Ginger and I drove up early and went to Panera Bread for our favorite shortbread cookies.  I had a hot cocoa, she had an orange juice and it was so relaxing...and delicious!  

Next, we did some shopping and later on, we met my mom and sister Bri at Pita Jungle for lunch.  It was so good!  Then, we did some crafty shopping and went to the mall.  Last, we ended our day with dinner at Mimi's Cafe.  It was a wonderful day...with the BEST company! 

Our Cozy Little Christmas House...

Christmas Traditions, New and Old...

December 1, 2014

Here are some pictures of our house decorated for Christmas!  I love our country style Christmas Tree and  decorations.  My house reminds me of a little country cottage at Christmas time.  It's full of burlap, plaids, reds and creams.  I'm not sure of a lot of things...but I'm sure I love our cozy little Christmas house.

This year, I wanted to start a new tradition.  My husband and I wanted to have my sister's family over for cookies, hot cocoa and a holiday movie!  They came over and Brady helped me make the hot cocoa.  We even added sprinkles, which has become a must in every cup of hot cocoa we drink now!  (It's delicious...you should try it!)  We got all snugly in the living room and watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas."  It was so simple...but so special.  I would love to make it a tradition every year.  Brysen inspected our Christmas tree most of the night, while Brady ran in and out of the kitchen for more sprinkles and more cookies. :)  It was our kickoff to Christmas...and it was absolutely heart warming.