the best way to spread christmas cheer....

...is singing loud for all to hear! Elf, anyone?!

That is just what I've been doing recently. If a good Christmas jam comes on, I can't help but sing out loud in sheer joy! Call me crazy, but I freakin' love the holidays. And well, J..he'll bust out a tune or two as well. You've just gotta catch him in the right mood!



After much anticipation, we slowly wandered down enchanting rows of trees to pick out just the right one for us. It was a cold evening and that perfect amount of Christmas scent filled our noses. I was happppy. And I greatly appreciate having a husband who loves Christmas/the holiday season in general almost as much as I do. Not quite sure what I would do if I had that Grinch-type for a husband. Phew! (By the way, Grinch the Musical was adorable..I highly recommend it!)



Pandora holiday tunes were playing, the oil warmer was lit, leaving scents of evergreen to fill our house, and the fire place was flickering. Great night to decorate our Christmas tree.

Our pup thinks the tree is a place to hide under when he's in trouble. Me, I think it's hilarious.

I still see you!

J and Grizz loving each other?! Not so much, but they're doing what they do best - wrestling :) That's what puppy daddy's are for, right?



We decked the tree with ornaments before going to bed, while visions of sugar-plums danced in our heads. Twas the night before Christmas, anyone?!








Hmm...that looks like me! Is that me?


These ones make me smile..

While decorating for Christmas, I think it's a time when everyone usually reflects on their favorite childhood memories and family traditions. I love that each and every family has varying traditions and values that make up Christmas time for them, many of which are passed down through generations. You can't help growing up, but you can choose which memories and traditions to move forward with.

Looking back on our BIG family's Christmas mornings, I can't help but miss those days with all of us having a blast together, without a worry in the world. That's the fun of childhood, and while you learn to let go, you yearn to grow. My family members now have their own families to incorporate some of our traditions into while creating new ones along the way. It just means more family members to share in the joy with. Especially now that I'm married..double the families, baby! And family, after all, are the most important people to spend the holidays with!

We hope to bring some new traditions to the table, like buying our tree the day after Thanksgiving, and decorating the tree on J's birthday (except for those years where his birthday falls before Thanksgiving!) We have a few other ideas that we hope to throw in along the way, and then there will be those spontaneous activities that just so happen to become traditions without even planning for it. I'm thrilled to stumble upon those in the future, and for now I'm thrilled for our first Christmas together as "The Barr's."

What are your family traditions? I'd loveee to hear about them!

Now bring us some figgy pudding! Muppets Christmas, anyone?!