Kat's Arbitrary Thought Processes

** Just a warning, my host is in the process of upgrading or something, so if this post suddenly disappears, I’m sorry. I’ll try to get it back ASAP. Now back to your regularly scheduled tour.

Welcome to our home. This is our first Christmas in our new home, so I’m a bit light on the decor for two reasons. Number one, it’s the first year, and it’s it been a rough one. Seriously, if not for the kids, I probably would not have put up anything ‘cept maybe the tree. and Number two, I haven’t been in this home long enough to figure out all the unique, fun, and festive ways to decorate yet, and I just don’t have the heart to try to figure it out this year (see number 1). so here we go!

First, as you walk up the drive, you are likely to be greeted by this:

For some reason, Joseph seems to have rebelled this year, or maybe he’s just got a touch of the stomach flu. Who knows?

Once inside, you will no doubt notice the totally fab door hanger on the coat closet door.

My mom made a whole lot of these years ago, and I inherited two when I got married. The other one floats around the house, hanging on whatever door the kids have decided would be cool, until another child snags it for a completely different door. It’s almost like a fun game, Where’s the door hanger this hour? *S*

Once you have overcome the awe at what is the totally awesome door hanger, you would probably notice the fireplace, festive as it is.

Yes, the frames are still empty. Trust me ya’ll, it’s on my to-do list: Print photos for frames. I may even get it done next year. I hope. The teddy bears are part of a long standing tradition in this house of decorating with stuffed animals. Those bears are actually the Walmart 2006 special or something like that… The prints over the fireplace were made by me, and in just a little break from the Christmas theme here, I’d like to explain that each color represents a different child, each one is decorated with different items specific to the child, and the blue and tan stripe throughout represent mom & dad as a constant presence in their lives. I know, totally awesome right? Mad props to DH for building the custom hidden frame for each one. *S*

Continuing on, at this point in your tour, each of my three children will no doubt insist that you must see their room “right now! Come on! Over here!” So, since we are in the living room, will do a quick hustle past the tree, and into GeekBoy’s room. Each child gets their own tree, and manager scene, so this is what you see in GeekBoy’s Room:

And of course, I so would point out the totally awesome tree skirt I made for his tree this year.

Yes, we also have the disco ball ornaments.  I know.  I almost always hear the BeeGee’s  when I see these ornaments, but the kids love them.  And GeekBoy will for sure show you the pride and joy of his tree this year, that Jawa stunning R2D2 ornament you see in the background there.  Yup.  My Geek is a Star Wars nut.  We don’t call him “GeekBoy” for nuttin’ you know.

Moving on.  By now the other two will have grabbed your hands, and hustled you back through the living room.  With nary a glance at the tree, you will be subsquently torn in two, however thePinkDiva will win, and you will be ushered into her room to see her pink princess tree that has pink and princesses on it, and did I mention it has a baby ornament, and pink?  and Princesses?

And while she has you as her captive audience, you will be required to look at the Baby Jesus.

Did you know that He was a baby?  At this point, she will attempt to distract you with her collection of baby dolls and pink Princesses, but do not fall for it.  After all, Lil’Chicano is patiently waiting for his turn to show you his room:

And yes, I said each kid has a manger scene.  I wasn’t lying.  The problem is, we found all the pieces to the Veggie Tale Manger that should go in the little guy’s room next to his tree, about a week before Thanksgiving.   I even put it all into a baggie and put it somewhere so it wouldn’t get lost.  Uh huh.  You see where this is headed right?  I figure we’ll find it in July sometime, and it will subsequently be put in another location “where it won’t get lost” only to go missing again just in time for next Christmas, at which point I will most likely break down and buy another nativity to place in Lil’C’s room, only to find the Veggie one two days later.

So, you are finally able to get back to the kitchen and enjoy the wonderfulness that is the decor in the kitchen.  Really,there isn’t much here.  Just this:

and our advent calendar (idea for it found through In the Trenches):

and the main source of decor in the kitchen, the baker’s rack:

See!  Remember the Poinsettias on the mantle?  This is where the idea comes from. My Baker’s Rack came with alternate tiles for Christmas (and yes, I think I put 4 of them upside down because I like it like that.  honest!  but dude.  that thing is wa-a-a-ay to heavy to try to change it all now.  so it’ll stay that way this year. *S*)  Also note the pile of white paper on the shelf.  That is the snowflakes we made the other night.  I had grand plans to hang them from our dining room light fixture, but…  It hasn’t happened, and I’d probably smack my head on them all season long.  Oh well.  Best laid plans and all that crap.

Now your finally ready to see the tree.  On the way back to the living room, you might notice the nifty countdown bear on my entertainment center:

And finally, the tree:

There is the large collection of Angel ornaments, as well as the handmade ones from the years my mom made ornaments for everyone, the angel on the top is one of these.  There’s also a small collection of ornaments that my Grandpa & Grandma F. made for me when I was little.   Then there is this special one, added this year:

You might also notice the tree skirt, which I found in the 7 day the year we married (dude…  like 9 years ago now.  wow!):

And since you’re looking down, you couldn’t help but notice the Fisher-Price Nativity and the Geo-Trax Train.  Cuz this is how we roll.  *S*

That’s it folks!   Glad you could join me on this little tour of my home.  And Really glad you made it out in one piece despite the kids.  So grab a sugar cookie, and head on over to BooMama’s for even more Christmassy Fun and Tours.