Christmas Rewind

Happy New Year!

First post of 2010- how exciting! Want some new, fresh and inspiring info?
Well, you might have to look elsewhere... we're headed back to properly cover Christmas, my friends.

I'm a slacker and LOST misplaced our camera upload cable, so that's why there was a Christmas post delay. But don't despair! It was found today in a thorough {but fleeting} clean sweep of the house with New Year exhilaration.

Our Christmas season was full of Christmas treats and time with family. I love Christmas baking and these little guys are some of my favorites. They are the peanut butter filled pretzels {big buckets from Sam's} covered in chocolate and then sprinkled {because all things are better with sprinkles}.

Our Christmas #1 was with Jason's family at his parents' house on Christmas Eve Eve {y'all call it that, too, right?}.
My favorite surprise gift there was the gift I gave to Jason's sister. She is a big Pioneer Woman fan {you should be, too} and I ordered P-Dub's cookbook for her and my wonderful bloggy friend, Mary, got it autographed for her when she met her in Kansas City.
Isn't that cool?
She loved it!

Christmas #2 was at our house on Christmas Eve. We wrote a letter to Santa Claus and asked him to come a day early to our house and he was kind enough to oblige.

And the kids were kind enough to not give a rip what day all these toys showed up.

We had a special breakfast that included a birthday cake for Jesus. Another Happy Birthday, Jesus party! I should say this was a "special" looking cake that only Jesus could love.

It took us several hours to unwrap, cut and release the toys from their captivity, but we finally got packed and headed down to Dothan.

We drove right up to my Grandmother Hart's house for Christmas #3 with that entire family {I think there were 35-ish people there with mass chaos}.
I love this idea below, though! My grandmother covers her tables with butcher paper and the kids color and love it!

We have played a legendary Dirty Santa game there for about 25 years- way before it was cool. And the gifts have always ranged from horrible {women's nightgown} to wonderful {coolers full of steaks} and everything in between.
I ended up coming home with $30 worth of lightbulbs {very useful!}. Jason got a nice Auburn hat.
My dad ended up with this gem:

You can imagine he had a few words to say about it. But mom loves it for Easter!

Christmas #4 was at my mom and dad's house on Christmas morning. We were showered with terrific gifts {including a Wii, that Jason the kids love}.
It's a running joke in my family that I love a good informercial- especially if the product solves a ridiculous "problem". I just love their psuedo-frustration- always in black and white.
Anyway, my sister got me this- my new prized possession!
And it DOES make perfect brownies!!


On Christmas day, we went down to St. George Island {where my mom's family has always vacationed} for Christmas #5.

At this point, Ollie and Henry think that they wake up/ walk in a room and there should be presents waiting for them- a lovely lesson to teach.

One thing we forgot about traveling on Christmas Day is that NOTHING is open. So this is where we got our lunch in Marianna, FL.

Nothing says Merry Christmas quite like Lunchables in the car.
Our favorite thing at the beach was time with family. Mom and Dad rented us a separate house as part of our Christmas gift and it came with this lovely view. We shared the house with my cousin Marcus, his wife Holly and their almost 1 year old SK.
And we only got to go out on the boat once {no fishing or lying}, but we enjoyed this cute house!

We bundled up and went to the playground on one sunny day
where my dad challenged me to cross this balance beam.
He couldn't do it.

Nor could my husband.

But yours truly did it easily {*ahem*} despite heckling and possible things being thrown at her.

One last little Christmas surprise was waiting for me and Holly on one of our many trips to the Island Marketplace {the only, TINY grocery store}. We saw a large, older black man with rainbow hair and knew it could only be...

George Clinton.

So we put it in reverse, pulled out our Southern accents and charms and hopped out to meet him.



Apparently he lives close by and vacations on St. George Island often. He was very kind and generous with his time to talk and hug on some weird girls weilding a camera. I guess you're used to that when you're a tad famous.

WHEW! You can see we needed the break after our Christmas whirlwinds. I can't help but be anything but thankful, though, for family who likes us and wants us to be there with them. What a great problem to have.

I resolve to only talk about things that happened in 2010 from now on, okay?
I hope you've had a fantastic Christmas season!

What was your favorite gift to give or receive this Christmas?
Extra points if it was an informercial product. Did I mention that I also gave a Snuggie, Bumpits AND a Neckline Slimmer this Christmas {all to different people}?
Oh, yes I did.

An Exiled Christmas

I'm sure you know by now that I'm married to a computer nerd. He would take that title as a compliment and say, "Nerds rule the world" and I might acknowledge him or not.
No matter his cute overconfidence, he REALLY comes in handy for all things computer.
Except when we have NO. INTERNET. CONNECTION. WHAT. SO. EVER.

If you have ever seen a frat boy sweating out his Saturday night party in church on Sunday morning, then you might get a good idea what Jason and I looked like without the internet for 5 days. {By the way, do we still capitalize "Internet" or not? We did when I was in college and Al Gore had JUST invented it, but I'm not sure of it's current status.} But we are BACK! I missed y'all so much.
And a coffee shop.
But we shook and sweated our way through a wonderful Christmas.

My parents gave us an amazing gift of our own rental house at St. George Island for the time we were down there over Christmas {thus no wi-fi, or whatever the right words are}. Some might say that our children are loud and messy and the whole family has exiled us.

To that I say, I will amp them up on sugar before we visit so that they will exile us again! It was so nice to be able to sprawl out train tracks, broken vertical blinds and such in our own space.

I'll be back with a Christmas run down tomorrow {we had 5; it might be a marathon}, but for now, I hope you had an amazing and wonder- filled Christmas!


Here is our 2009 Christmas card {it was 2 sided, not extra long}.
And a special shout out to the wonderful Melissa Tash who not only designed these for us, but double designed one with our kids' blog names. What a wonderful blog reader and friend!

Be back soon with my favorite Christmas gifts and a celebrity sighting!

Like a wiseman, I found the Nativity

You'd think it was only available in Bethlehem.



After loads of fruitless online research, I called Bitty of Itty Bitty here in Huntsville {where our nativity originated} and asked her where it came from. {Bitty is her real name- or close enough. It's like Other Mama's name was Smiles; it just sticks. It's a Southern thing I can't explain.} Bitty said it's from a company called Kubla Craft {also Kubla Kids} and that she wasn't carrying them this year.

So, I called the company and they don't sell to the public; only to stores. Because apparently they think the economy is great and don't want business. Or else they are only a wholesaler or something like that.

But, they gave me the name of some of their retailers that have online sites and LO AND BEHOLD I found them! If only I had had a bright star to follow for a few years, it might have been a bit easier.

So, I called Cindy of CDK Enterprises in Parker, Colorado and she has them! Well, after talking with Cindy {my new friend who I love} they only have ONE! She said they will have them year round, though, so you can get them in January to prep for next year.
Their price is $26.10 + shipping {and there is even a small possibility to get that one to you before Christmas}.
As an encouragement to purchase anything on her site, Cindy even gave you lovely readers a discount! If you enter TOMAMA10 in the Gift or Certificate Coupon Number at Checkout, you will receive an additional 10% discount! Let me know if you are the lucky recipient of the LAST ONE!

Since Cindy only has one, I also called Carol at Good Time Learning in North Carolina. She has several and their price is $32.95 + shipping. They don't have a website and are making an exception to deal with individual customers, but they said they would be happy to help! Her phone number is 704-542-2622 and you need to call to order.

Don't forget to enter the Happy Birthday, Jesus package giveaway! I'll close it tonight {Monday!} and ship it tomorrow so you'll have it in time for the birthday party!

Christmas Home Tour

If you are half as nosy as I am, I know you will want to join along in the Nester's Tour of Homes for Christmas! I loved meeting and hanging out with Nester at She Speaks and if you don't read her blog, you should. Who am I kidding? I'm sure you do.

I'm so excited to show you around my place!

In the front foyer, there is the nativity that I got last year from Southern Living at Home. {I added the angel because she needed a home. I'm just telling myself that angels can fit in anywhere. I actually believe they do!}

Next, if you keep walking straight, you'll go into our dining room {Updated: Wall color is Sherwin Williams Mocha #6067 since a few folks asked!}. The chairs are my great-grandmothers and I'm pretty sure I unknowingly hijacked them from a cousin who they rightfully belong to. Let's just keep that between us, okay?
I don't know if it has ever made an appearance on the blog because, sadly, we don't dine here.
We eat all meals in the breakfast room. That's called irony. But I decorated the table for Christmas anyway.

Because we also have Christmas china that we never use. I'm pretty sure it's Lenox {circa 2001} and the napkin rings squares are from Pottery Barn. {They say "eat, drink, be and merry", so I leave them all on merry for Christmas.} If you are getting married, register for something like really nice knives or a washer and dryer instead of Christmas china. Not that I'm not appreciative, but you might get a little more use out of those.

Around in the living room, I managed a picture with 2 little guys getting along on the same toy. Surely because they were being watched by a certain Elf.

We believe! Don't you?

Headed toward the kitchen, I have our display of cards. All very adorable! I'll be sure to share ours when I get them out. Which will surely happen any day now. *ahem*

And we have our tree in the kitchen. I know. Weird. But there isn't another place for it, so this works for us. It's the fake tree we bought last year when I was plum tuckered out and couldn't begin to think about a real one. Again. It was so nice to bring up from the garage this year!

Here is some fun decor and wise men by the tree. I'm pretty sure those wise men are from Southern Living at Home, as well.

Here are some of my favorite ornaments. I stole that Rudolph at a Christmas party with church ladies. All kind, loving and sharing rules are dropped for Dirty Santa; I'm ruthless.

Here is my favorite wrapping paper so far this year. I get big rolls at Sam's and then get tired of it half way through. Do you do this, too?

And finally, what would Christmas be without some poop-look-alike pictures from my kids?

These are Henry's sweet little one year old hands and feet. I think. I must label and re-frame in a cute frame, but that's up there with dusting, so it might not get done anytime soon.

I hope you've enjoyed my little home and head over to the Nester's to tour some others.
Merry Christmas to you!

I bring you the most joyful news ever announced,and it is for everyone!
The Savior - yes the Messiah, the Lord -has been born tonight in Bethlehem!
Luke 2:10 -11

Christmas Morning

May you be blessed with the gifts of God's love and grace this Christmas as we remember the gift of His birth.

This makes it all worth it.

And behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2: 9-11

Christmas Came Early!

I walked out the front door tonight to go get the Christmas cards I wait for every day mail and I saw a HUGE package on our porch. {No ringing or barking woke up the kids- HOORAH! The sign is working!}

I brought it inside and we were all excited to see what it was- especially the kiddos. I happened to remember what it was- the nativity set that I ordered { along with a few other Christmas goodies}!!! YAY! In time for Christmas!

I think that somehow it's rich with irony {and maybe a little wrong?} to covet a nativity set, but this is the only one I've really ever loved. It's from Southern Living at Home and it came out last year. I have looked at others, but have compared every other set to this one. It was pretty pricey, so I didn't allow myself to get it last year, but I got an e-mail that it was on super duper sale- 60% off!! I jumped on it and wished myself a Merry Christmas!

Ollie could not have been more excited! These are like Jesus action figures and he was all about it! He sang We Three Kings and danced with all the kings. He caressed and held baby Jesus and told him he was a cute baby. And that he loves Him. So precious.

The night did not continue on it's precious and loving route, though, because it was soon time to go to bed and Ollie was really upset that he couldn't take his new toys with him to the bathtub. I got so tickled because he was trying to sneak pieces away- like I didn't notice. Specifically, he wanted the cow- not Jesus or Joseph or even a wise man. The cow. And this was the scene:

The whole time, Henry was very happy playing with his own Nativity set- a stuffed one that I love and would highly recommend for young kids!

Christmas did not come early just for me today. Jason went to Best Buy and bought Guitar Hero. For a child, you ask? Maybe someone that has lost their home in this Christmas season? Or a family that we are sponsoring this Christmas? NO! For him! He told me he wanted it for Christmas {and I chuckled and snorted on the inside- because I snort when I laugh} and then went out and bought it himself! He did have a gift card from his work Christmas party, but he did not clear the purchase with me- that's for certain. {Oh, and I didn't clear the entire Nativity set with him, but who's keeping track here?}

Ollie was requesting things like Silent Night and We Three Kings while his dad was in the next room saying, "I don't think those are on here, buddy" as he got back to Bon Jovi, Steve Miller and Michael Jackson. Now, I may not have married a grown up, but at least my husband is fun.
So, apparently the 12 days of Christmas have begun early around here! I hope Christmas morning isn't a let down after tonight!

Merry Christmas to My Blogging Family

Since I might not have your address, here is our Christmas Card. Just think of it as being hand delivered to your computer!
I think they are all out, save a few stragglers here on my desk, so I hope I'm not ruining a surprise for any family members out there! These are from pictures that we took back at the first of October for Henry's first birthday. Melissa took all the pictures and designed the card- and- a bigger feat- made us look good. Thank you so much, Melissa!

Merry Christmas! Thank you so much to the blogging community for making my day, every day. Thanks for sharing your life with me and allowing me to ramble here. I really enjoy your company! I love sharing stories, tips, laughing and crying with you all over the computer. I am certain that this is why Al Gore invented the internet.
I hope you have a wonderful and blessed holiday season!

Christmas Cheer

I sure hope you are having a Merry Christmastime. We have really been enjoying the anticipation of Christmas this year and talking up Jesus's arrival! It's so nice to be able to talk about it every day and Owen is ALL into the season. When he sees anything Christmas related (lights, Santa, wise men), he'll just shout, "Mommy, It's Christmas!!". I love the sheer joy of it.

To catch you up on the happenings of the Dunhams (since that's the name of the blog and all), we have been having fun! Thursday night we went to eat dinner with our old friends (they are not old- they are our age- but our friendship is old- you knew that- come on) who moved to town a few months ago. Sarah and Greer have moved a LOT with his job, so they are apparently experts at it. Their new house is beautiful and immaculate! I was expecting boxes and such, but it is all set up- for Christmas even- and perfect! They have twin 2 year olds and a newborn. And Sarah cooked an amazing dinner for us. I know. A Christmas miracle! I don't know how she does it. The kids had Christmas spaghetti


And played really well together! They did have one toy that caused some distress. It was a strainer and a tennis ball. We don't know where they even got the strainer, but Sarah had to get another one to appease the crowd of children under 3.

This is a faux hug and veiled attempt to get the strainer/ tennis ball by Owen. Not a bad move, if I do say so.

Last time Sarah made an appearance on our blog, she was just moving up here and about 8 months pregnant, so that means that their newest little gal, Abby, was able to join us for this party!

She wasn't quite in a partying mood- being just 3 months old, you know- but she sure is awful cute and a sweet baby!

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Friday night, we went to our annual Sunday School Christmas party and had a BLAST, as usual. No blackmail pictures there- there was too much food being eaten, goofy presents being opened (I got 3 rolls of different neon colored duck- or duct?- tape) and dancing going on. We always have SO much fun.

Tonight, I took my boys to Horshoe Bend to see the Christmas lights. We'd taken Owen last year, but I knew he would really get into it this year. Oh, how I was right. They both loved it! This is a neighborhood across the street from us that has a lot of really tacky well lit houses and people drive through it constantly. They even have a closed circuit radio station that the lights dance to (this is just at the first house) like you've probably seen on you tube. This is the house mid dance, so it doesn't really show all the lights. It's pretty impressive to see in action. At the same first house, they have a life sized Santa, sleigh and reindeer. You can't really see them from this shot below, but you can see the outline. Owen has been obsessed with reindeer lately and even asked, oh, maybe a dozen times today if he could see reindeer. So, after our 3rd trip around this loop, I stopped the car and got out with him to go see the (large and kind of scary looking plastic) reindeer. He petted them, talked to them, waved at Santa (whose hand was magically waving to us like a metronome) and started to walk away. Then he asked if he could go back for one more hug. It was so sweet.

We are going to Santa's Village on Friday night with some friends and they have live deer there that you can pet and feed, so I know he is going to get excited about that.

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My Christmas shopping is almost done. As I was cleaning the toy room today, I was short an "N" in this train, but it somehow rang familiar with the thought of Christmas shopping and this time of year.

Now, we have (or had) a budget (smudget), but it somehow always gets blown to smitherines. I wrapped for about 2 hours today while the kids were napping and I really do forget what all I've bought! And I DO have a list. Please don't suggest such if you are the super duper planner/ organizer who doesn't go over their Christmas budget. Maybe next year. Anybody feel my pain?

I hope you are getting into the Christmas spirit! It's hard not to with little ones around. I thought when we had Owen that Christmas would be super fun and I didn't realize that it wouldn't be until his FOURTH Christmas that we could all really be fascinated and see it through his eyes. I'm trying to enjoy every minute of it.