Christmas at The Xenos'

 Can you believe we are 6 days away from Jesus' Birthday?  Like, how did that happen?

I have to admit, being on maternity leave thru the holidays is pretty dang amazing.  I still have a few gifts left to purchase, but most of the shopping is complete (Hello, Amazon Prime!) and the majority of the presents are wrapped.  Anyone else LOVE wrapping presents?  I don't mind it as long as it's not a last minute thing where I'm frantically running around the house searching for wrapping paper, scissors, and of course the tape is nowhere to be found.  You know the drill.

But this year I've been able to sit down with a glass of wine, Alabama Christmas on in the background and just pump them out.  One evening I decided to include Lara as my helper.  Let's just say she colored on more of the wrapping paper than actually helped in the wrapping process.  But hey, she's cute so I'll keep her. 

To kick off the week, I thought I'd share a few pictures from around our home.  I rushed around to get all the decor up before we had Miss Sadie.  

We are all about real trees, particularity Frasier Furs.  The needles are SO soft and they're just gorgeous.  And the smell....oh, the smell.

This picture was after a total toddler meltdown, so don't let her grin fool ya.

A month or so ago, we found these awesome metal snowflakes at a boutique here in town called Cameron's Home Furnishings.  We splurged and bought two strands and i'm SO glad we did, because the lights reflecting off the metal are just gorgeous.  They totally compliment our rustic tree decor and I'm just crazy about them.

We have this rhinestone chandelier above our dining table and I turn it into an ornament each year with the red bow. So simple and an easy way to incorporate the decor into the kitchen area.

Anyone else swap out their air fresheners each season, or just me?

This Santa is an oldie, somewhere around 30-35 years old, and is one of my FAVORITE decorative pieces. I grew up with this Santa in my home and I'm so thankful to now have it in mine. 

The cutest toes I've ever seen. 

:)

And last, but certainly not least, my nativity scene.  As most of you know, my dad passed away about 20 years ago. He and my Mom bought this nativity scene their first Christmas together as a married couple and someday I'll pass it down to my girls...

I love seeing all your pictures on Instagram and Facebook, of your homes.  There is just nothing more cozy than a beautiful Christmas tree and your sweet little families enjoying each other.

I hope everyone's able to take a moment to breath this week and just enjoy the season.  My hand is raised for being guilty of letting the hustle take over, causing me to forget to relish in the true meaning of the holiday.  I'm making a concerted effort this year to focus on the blessings; the blessings we have because Jesus was born, lived and died for all of us so that we could live a beautiful, forgiven life.  As the old saying goes, our man Jesus is most definitely the reason for the season.  

Merry Christmas, friends!  I have a few more Christmas posts lined up for this week, so stay tuned.