Lots of Christmas Parties-- Lots of Presents

We had a total of seven Christmas parties this year. Unfortunately, I failed at taking pictures this Christmas and only captured a few pictures from five of the parties. I missed pictures from Bill's family's Christmas and his mom's extended family party. We also missed my step dad's family Christmas party entirely, which we intended on going to but became overwhelmed. 

Geglio Christmas Party

Lots of kids at this party!

Miss A opening presents

Bill and his grandma

A new addition to the family-- Bill's sister's second daughter-- New niece for us-- New cousin for Miss A!

 Nicklas Christmas Party

Santa visits... and apparently shops at Kmart!

Santa stopped by just for our family Christmas party! How nice of him!

Christmas Party at Dad's House

Gingerbread House & Christmas Cookie Decorating

Miss A was really getting into the cookie decorating!

Christmas Party at Mom's House

Bill wanted to take my mom's foster puppy home!

Our Family Christmas Party

Miss A waiting a lonngg time to open up these presents!

How to Make a Hand Painted Reindeer Christmas Plate

We officially have a cute plate to set cookies out on for Santa and his reindeer tonight! I found a picture of this plate on Pinterest via South Shore Mamas. There were no instructions on it so I figured I would lay them out for you here. It is very simple and there are so many options for creating your own unique design.

Hand Painted Reindeer Christmas Plate

Step 1: Find a White Plate. I went to a thrift store and bought a ceramic plate for 20 cents. You will need to use an oven safe plate (ceramic, china, or porcelain) if you intend to eat off it.

Step 2: For a Decorative Plate, use acrylic paint. For a Food Safe Plate, use non-toxic ceramic paint. I used acrylic paint because I own a lot of it already and only plan to use the plate to set cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Step 3: Paint a Reindeer. Paint one of your child's feet (excluding the toes) and both hands brown. Stamp them on the plate according to the picture above. You can also switch the hand placement around if you want the thumbs pointing outwards. Paint a big red nose at the base of the foot. Paint two black eyes.

Step 4: Decorate the rest of the place according to your liking. Add child's name and date for a special keepsake. 

Step 5: For a Decorative Plate, spray clear acrylic gloss to coat and finish it. For a Food Safe plate, allow paint to dry according to paint directions. Bake in oven for 35 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn off the oven, open the door, and let the plate cool before removing it.

Voila! You have now created a simple hand painted reindeer Christmas plate! 

Our Family Christmas Tree 2013

This is our second real Christmas tree together as a family. We were really ambitious and wanted to pick out the biggest, tallest tree...

So many Christmas trees... So many choices!

Miss A found her perfect my size Christmas tree and when I told her it was too little, she found the next best one... which we seriously contemplated bring home for five minutes!

And after walking around forever, we finally found a nice soft bristled tree that doesn't shed or poke you to death. (I forget the type of tree... it was a self service tree farm so I wasn't able to ask.) We bought the same type of tree last year too.

Cutting down our 11ft Christmas tree

While daddy cut the tree and loaded it into the truck, Miss A & I goofed off... =)

It just hilarious watching him carry this humongous tree... that we would later cut an additional 2ft off because our ceiling was only 9ft tall... ! Too funny!

I had to deal with my own troubles of hiking through the field carrying a baby... having to pee... and sciatic nerve pain striking at every step. But still, I couldn't miss out on picking out our family Christmas tree!

35 weeks pregnant

Four hours and fifteen bucks later, we had a fully decorated Christmas tree in our living room!

35 weeks pregnant- Mommy & Miss A

Daddy & Miss A

Merry Christmas everybody and have fun decorating for the holidays if you haven't done so already! =)

Miss A & The Christmas Tree

This is my baby girl's FIRST Christmas!!! 

I hope she will have lots of fun. <3

Our Christmas Decorations! [Apartment Tour]

First time ever putting up a Christmas tree. [Fake.. until we have a house!]

Yeah, we should dust off the TV before family comes!

Fairies!!

Bill's First Christmas Ornament :) (precious!!)

Can you see me in the bulb? I'm holding the camera!