The Drew House

Our mantle -

which is SO not how I decorate our Christmastime mantle but I loved my

fireplace look this year. Frankie even made it in the picture!

I actually painted my mantle a different color JUST to match our new stockings.

New Ornaments

Our unity sand -

I didn't keep the entire unity sand therefore I made it into an

ornament so we could have it forever.

Last year - we stayed the night with my parents -

#plan a: Aaron was supposed to propose that morning in front of my parents.

my parents waited. waited. and waited.

mother was so sad.

#plan b: he proposed the next day by ourselves, which was the day i finally received

this ornament from my parents.

the man snowman is actually proposing to the lady snowman.

moving along.

This ornament we got on our honeymoon.

It's says 'Cayman Islands'.

I'm sad we didn't get on from Mexico {even though I did look}

but it still holds the memory.

My Daddy sent this to us this year.

Ever since I can remember he has always given us special ornaments.

This year he gave us a few.

&

he knows my love for frogs & always seems to get lucky enough to

find certain things during whatever time of year that is dealing with frogs.

He too, is a man-child. :) Gotta love em'.

They say a lady always marries her daddy.

Even though frogs make me cringe, I loved these ornaments.

next up...

a gift from one of the sweetest little girls I know.

my bestie Rachel & her daughter made these.

Not only are they snowmen  but it's her hand print.

How cute! I loved it.

I bought this one back when I went to Charleston over Thanksgiving.

There were so many to choose from but I decided on Reindeer because I want to try

to keep the reindeer's every year, even when our family expands.

Next...

it's more of a tradition.

this ornament has no meaning really.

but it's a tradition I'm following from my mom.

Anywhere we go {starting this year} I want to get an ornament.

My mothers Christmas tree tells a story & I love it.

It never gets old.

This ornament I received at our Engagement party from our friends

Jeremy & Brycelyn. When I first started planning, I was going to have peacock feather Incorporated in our scheme - Yes, I still did however they were all beige - not the really peacock feathers.

isn't it pretty?

Last but not least

Aaron Christmas tree.

I made it a tradition while we were dating to get him an ornament every year.

He has NINE. Golf, Hunting, Fishing, Bow-Hunting, Video controller, Etc.

Whatever he was really into that year - was what the ornament was.

.... and I put it in his tree along with lure rs & fish lights.

Sorry, you can't really see his ornaments but they are on there.

And now...  for the tree.

It's a HUGE deal for me to have a REAL tree.

Growing up I always had a real tree and there is nothing like the smell of

a fresh Christmas Tree.

Aaron surprised me this year by picking it out himself {i was a little bummed but also happy because we were late getting it} while I was at the Gingerbread house party.

He bought. Brought it home. Put it up & ever watered it...

waiting for me to come home. He did good.

.... and I'm just now noticing this is NOT my final tree picture.

Half of the garland is missing and all my over-sized ball ornaments are NOT on there.

But you get the picture, right?

hopefully.