Fall Family Photos at the Orchard

A few months ago we took time, over a busy weekend, to get out of the Northern Virginia area and headed south-west to Stribling Orchard in Markham, Virginia. My bestie Virginia and her husband also came with us and as the  SUPER TALENTED photographers with House of Maps Photography we twisted their arms and bribed them with a promise to also visit a winery in the hopes that they would take some photos! The outcome is better than I could have ever imagined.

Christmas Recap 2015

We had a great Christmas Day! There were WAY too many gifts under the tree!

My parents arrived at our house at 7 am so that they would already be around when the kiddos woke up at 7:30. The first words out of Hunter's mouth were to ask if Santa had came and was super excited to find out that he had.

To say that Gibson was excited is an understatement! This was his face when he saw the tree and the train that Santa had brought for him!

Hunter was a little overwhelmed and tried to hide behind me! 

But he warmed up to the idea of Christmas once he saw the yo-yo that Santa brought him!  It even had his name and the year carved into it. He was SOOO happy with it. It is the only thing that he wanted from Santa... He does not know how to use a yo-yo but it will be something that he can grow into. 

Hunter also liked his dino helmet and new scooter!

Santa brought Emma a long board 

Gibson was also a fan of Hunter's scooter 

 and of the long board haha. He is a gift thief

Here are a few more photos from the morning... The gift unwrapping took about three hours because after the boys unwrapped each gift we had to fully open up the packaging so that they could play with each item... we had to take a break mid way for breakfast. I made my favorite Overnight Eggnog Casserole.

Emma was SUPER excited about her XBOX

And for Christmas dinner I made this yummy crab cake with bacon, a poached egg, and a SUPER easy microwave hollandaise

I will be back later in the week to share some of our favorite gifts!

I hope that everyone had an AMAZING Christmas. I just feel so blessed that I was able to spend the day with my family!

Last Minute Christmas Tour

It is Christmas Eve... The boys are napping, Gifts are wrapped, and cookies are baked for Santa. Our Cards aren't in the mail but that is okay because they are New Years cards!!! I planed my procrastination in advance... actually I'm just realistic.

So with all my free time I wanted to take the chance to share all of my Christmas decorations.

I'm obsessed with my new reindeer pillows 

And this hurricane candle holder from target that I bought on super clearance. I  plan to incorporate it into our everyday decor.

The Nativity that my Grandmother painted has such a special place in my heart and Emma and I love unwrapping each piece and finding just the right spot for each one.  

And THIS TREE that my hubby bought this year. LOVE LOVE LOVE I want to keep it up all year long. 

If it didn't have the fake snow on it I would seriously try to justify having it up all year long. 

Emma loves picking out a new nutcracker each year. 

My silver tree in the dining room

Every year I get one of these silver sleigh bells

The Dining room table.. .not 100% complete as there are no plates and candles in the birch holders

Kitchen... 

Basement hallway

Basement, kids, Christmas tree...