Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Boomama's Christmas Tour of Homes 2008

Boomama is hosting her annual Christmas Tour of Homes. It was happening on the 14th, yet here I am on the 16th just getting to it. :) This is the first time I have ever participated, so hopefully joining in a little late is accepted. :)

The weather outside is frightful (it really IS here in Arkansas, y'all... no school today), so come on in...


I LOVE decor mesh. I think it is one of the best inventions ever (besides the Slanket...ha!). I changed up my wreath this year by adding mesh and some ornaments. I also added mesh and decorations to some lighted garland to put around my door. It was fun to do.

Here is our tree. I got a new topper this year and I just love it. I thought it was whimsical and fun...

Looks like I need to get on that wrapping of gifts and getting them under the tree.
Oh, I love to wrap presents!

Here is our mantle. Stockings are ready to be stuffed. Derek was scared the kids would pull the heavy holders down on their heads, so we didn't use them this year. About one minute after he stated his concern, Ella Grace was busy pulling stockings down, so I guess it was a smart idea.

Every year I buy one new family tree ornament. I got a nativity one this year...

I love getting out my old favorites every year. These are two I look forward to most...

When I worked out in the "real world", one of the girls on my team gave these ornaments to me for Christmas one year, and they are still my very favorite. I always put them toward the very top of the tree. Jesus IS the reason for the season!

This cross also goes towards the top of the tree every year. I love how the mirrors reflect the light.

Evan and Ella Grace love these snowmen. They all play music and how fun when they are all going at the same time. That seems to be the way the kids like it! :)

I love this little tree I found at the Hallmark store. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE that place? LOVE IT! I wanted to get these little presents to go with it and went back the next week, they were all gone, so the tree looks kind of lonesome. I still love it though. It's glittery and fun!

I also got these place mats and napkins for my dining room table. With kids, I'm finding my style is going somewhere in the middle of whimsical and "homemade". It's fun.

One of my very favorite things about Christmas time is the Christmas cards. I look forward to getting the mail every day. It's like getting a present every day! I just LOVE it, and Derek knows how much fun it is for me. He never opens one and brings them all to me to open. :)

I want to look at them all season, so I display them here on my China hutch.

I don't have many decorations for the kitchen. My mom gave us this Santa plate when Evan was a baby and it is on an easel on the counter. I look forward to making cookies with the kids and leaving it out this year.


Ella Grace and I made this gingerbread house with some friends last week and it is also on display in the kitchen. It was a lot of fun. She tells everyone, "Look Ella made."

I did get this little spoon rest this year.

Well, that about does it. Thanks for stopping by. You can see more decorations at Boomama's site linked above.

Merry Christmas!

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love your simple "lonesome" tree on the table. It looks very elegant. Merry Christmas!

Marci @All Things Wonderful said...

Hi! I just came over from Boomama's. Your decor is so pretty. I love the mesh on your tree. SO Pretty! Merry Christmas.

Lynn said...

Hi Leigh Ann- I found you through Tracy Davidson's blog a few weeks ago. We were at OG together for just 1 year. Anyway-I love your blog and wanted to let you know I am hanging around, so as not to be just lurking any longer. Would love to have you visit my blog when you have time.

Lauren said...

Your decor is BEAUTIFUL! I am, also, a big fan of the mesh! It is so fun! Thanks for letting us in! Merry Christmas to you!

Megan L Hutchings said...

I have decided that I cannot wait until next year when I can really participate in the tour ;). The mesh is awesome and it adds so much to the tree. I love how you used it for garland!!!

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Love all the red and your tree is gorgeous!!!! Wow. Love the tour of your home.
Blessings,
Debbie

Kara said...

Everything looks so pretty! I hope and pray that yall are doing well! Merry Christmas!
Kara- I Cor 13

Bonita said...

Your tree is fabulous and so is that brick entryway. Lovely!

Kara said...

I have been following your blog for a few weeks now (found you on Kelly's Korner) and I LOVE your posts! You have some very cute kiddos and I know this must be such a fun time of year for your family! Everything looks absolutely beautiful and you tree...GORGEOUS! Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas!

Faith said...

So pretty! I love all your mesh and that tree topper is fabulous!!

Meagan said...

I love your Christmas decorations! So charming and your tree rocks! Where did you find the topper - I LOVE IT!

Betsy said...

Your house is sooo pretty, Leigh Ann!! I love your doorway with all the pretty red!! Those cute tree toppers are popular this year! I have seen lots of them. And I love your placemats! :)

Becky said...

Leigh Ann your house is beautifully decorated. I love the front door WOW!!! Girl, that mesh must be easy for everyone but me. You should have seen me with it last year!! OMG! It was hilarious!! Needless to say I'll let you youngins decorate with the mesh and I'll just let it alone! HA!!!

Kelly said...

Your house looks BEAUTIFUL Leigh Ann!!!!!!!
And I'm with you - the mesh is the BEST!!!!!

Jacquie said...

Thanks for letting us tour your home. I love your decorations... and how you place them thoughtfully through your home and on the tree.

I am discovering the joy of mesh!

Anonymous said...

Oh Leigh Ann! I just LOVE your beautiful decorations and your house looks so beautiful as well!! I LOVE your Tree Topper and your Cross Ornament, as well as your stockings!! Merry Christmas! It must be so nice to celebrate the season in such a beautiful home :-)

Jenna said...

It all looks gorgeous!!!

Deidre said...

We have the same stockings, Leigh Ann! I love them.

Everything looks so beautiful!

Julie said...

Your house is absolutely beautiful!! I love the colors! Two of my favorites would be your front door/entry and your tree.

I guess I'm going to have to try the mess. Everyone is using it!!

Anonymous said...

I make such a mess with my mesh! Yours turned out great! Love the wreath. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely home with us.

Merry Christmas from She Lives!

Heather said...

I am so sad that I missed Boomama's tour....I might do it late, too!! I love seeing all your decorations! I have missed you on my blog hiatus!!! Merry Christmas! OH- and Connor got one of those singing snowmen and he LOVES it! We hear it singing ALL DAY LONG!

In His Army said...

Lovely, Lovely, Lovely! It all looks great!

The Garners said...

Oh my goodness--everything is great!!! I can't remember all my comments without scrolling back through the pictures...but I LOVE your tree topper--super cute! Also love your stockings and laughed about D's thinking on the stocking holders--Lane actually said the same thing...but I guess we decided to risk it!? Hopefully we won't be needing stitches before the 25th!? I love Christmas cards, too, and enjoyed getting yours today--thank you! What a sweet sweet sweet family you have, and a beautiful home. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! One of the blessings of 2008 for me has been "getting to know you" via the blog world (and even getting to meet you twice in person!) Hopefully we can get together for that playdate we've been trying to plan in 2009!? :)

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

Your home is beautiful, Leigh Ann.

I'm afraid of those stocking holders too...man, that could be tragic if one fell on a little head.

(Side note: John has tried so hard to order a Slanket for me...to no avail. I'm just gonna have to be cold this winter).

Love your tree, your Cookies for Santa plate, and those stockings!!!

His Doorkeeper said...

Leigh Ann, you are quite the decorator! Your front door entry looks fab and I love the way you did the mesh up your tree! Looks great!

Hope you and Derek and your sweet children have a blessed Christmas! We have so much this year to be thankful for, don't we?

Traci said...

Your house is beautiful!

Email me when you get a chance, okay?

Melissa said...

Look at all of your red! I love, love, love red at Christmas! It looks great!! Wish I could see it in person! :)

Jaime said...

I love your Christmas Tree. Your topper is fantastic. I like the ribbon around your tree too. Where did you get the topper?
Great decorating of your house!!