Griffin Whirlwind

The Christmas festivities are in full swing. It actually began last Thursday. We had T's staff party at Logan's. A very fun group. I spent the whole time up until Friday getting chocolate covered pretzel buckets together for the entire staff. 50 buckets......but much easier than doing cookies. FYI: the regular chocolate Hersey kisses do not work as well as the hug kind.

Friday night we hosted our life group party. We had such a good time getting together and just eating.

Saturday night we went to my principal's house, T's ex-boss, for a Christmas get together. We had soooooo much fun. We laughed, had a great dinner, and played charades. We all needed that so badly. Before the party Tug started complaining about his ear hurting. I had started to suspect that he had an ear infection. So off to urgent care we go. He has an ear infection......and he had a horrible clog in his other ear that they took care of. No one he was always asking me to turn up the TV or acting like he couldn't hear me.....

Yesterday we traveled to Columbia to have Christmas with Granny and Pawpaw. Tug finally got the left handed baseball glove he has wanted. (It's very hard to find those by the way.) And Nor got a baby stroller which she is currently playing with. Last night we were up half the night with Tug. It was awful. He must have eaten something that did not agree with him. Right now he is running around the house like a wild man. But he was very sick last night.

Christmas Tour of our Home

This is my absolute favorite. I got this today when we went to get Nana's tree. This is my attempt at getting a little of the pine smell the natural way instead of through candles. I love a real tree, I really do. But I am still not quite over the fact that about 5 years ago I came home and found the real tree laying in the middle of the living room floor with a few broken, irreplacable ornaments. I will just have a real wreath for now. (In the above picture, the wall looks like a plum color. I promise it's not, it's a shade of brown.)

This, of course, is the 'adult' tree.

This is Tug and Nor's creation. I got this idea from a friend a couple of years ago. How do you keep little ones from touching the 'adult' tree? You give them one of their own. They can do whatever they want to do with this tree. They use some of my non-breakable ornaments for decoration. They have had so much fun having their own tree.

I bought this after we moved to NC. We haven't had a mantle since we lived in Charleston. So what do you do with four stockings?? This year I wrapped it with garland. I think this little thing is neat.

I have had this table cloth for a few years and love it. It matches with anything. I bought the hurricane at a Pfaltzgraff outlet. I love this winter pattern but they don't sell it anymore. Glad I got what I could. I had intended for this wreath to go on the door but I think it works here.

I bought these at Target last year for half price. Love them!!!

A Mountain Adventure

Nana decided this year to have the wonderful experience of a real tree in the house. We loaded in the car this morning to head to the moutains. There are literally a ton of tree farms in the moutains of NC. Nana did a little research and found a place that was supposed to have a petting 'zoo,' food, and hayrides. The petting 'zoo' consisted of 2 roosters, a pig and 3 goats. Nor loved the pig!!! No food and no hayrides which was a little disappointing but we had a great time picking out Nana's tree and then bringing it home to decorate.

FLIP THAT ROOM

I am a little embarrassed to even show a "before" picture of Nor's room. It was NOT girly at all. It was one of those things we put on the back burner until we were ready to transition her to a BGB aka big girl bed. So here it is. The rest are the almost finished product and I love it!!!! You could say that purple is Nor's signature color. The room is lacking a runner for the dresser. We just put up curtains tonight. Thanks Nana!!! And you might look at the mural on the wall and think wow!!! Amy did that??? I wish. Then I wouldn't be out $150!!!! That's right, $150 and I am not bitter. Okay, so I am a tad bitter. I found an art student at school who I set this up with weeks in advance. She tells me, "Oh just pay me whatever you think." You all know how frugal I am so I don't get into anything blind. The whole time I was thinking $75 to $100. She worked six hours and shook me down for $150!!! But enough of that saga. I am almost over it - to the point where I can laugh. Almost........... I love this room. Tug has an awesome bedspread, now I just have to figure out what color to paint his room. Any suggestions are welcome.

A Visit from RCM

I am sorry to RCM for not printing these pictures off. (But I wanted you to see them). You're the best. Thanks for coming to visit us in the arctic temps of NC!!! We always enjoy having you at Casa de Griffin. And thanks for watching Tug and Nor so we could have date night. Just remember that you are a much stronger person for your experiences with both poop and popcorn. Hahahahahahaha