Our First Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Hello there!! We are the Barrett's--Mike and Kristen that is. Our first Christmas was really special for us. It was a major stepping stone in our relationship...a moment in time where we went from doing our normal traditions to creating our own "new" traditions.

This was a very exciting time for the two of us.

We went together and picked our first tree to decorate together. We came up with a theme and chose all the decorations together...surprise!! It was a lot of fun.

Our budget for decorations was very tight, so we used our creative spirit to come up with some really inexpensive decorations. I loved tying pieces of fabric all over the tree. We bought that at Wal-Mart: 1/4 yard for $.50. Talk about frugal.

When we were buying our tree, the people that were trimming the trees were throwing the scraps into a pile off to the side. I got up the nerve to ask if I could take some of the branches. To my surprise, they said "SURE!!" It was trash anyways. Mike wondered what in the world I was going to use tree trimmings for, but I had to make him wait and see what I had in mind.

This is what I came up with...

I used wire hangers and floral wire to make two wreaths: one above the fireplace and one for the eating area. I was so proud of myself that I actually was able to make them look decent. (A lot of times my ideas don't turn out like I want them...or I just don't know how to get the desired result). I also made the...well I don't know what you would call it...the arrangement above the fireplace. A swag? I don't know.

Well, I made it all. It was a lot of fun too. It was all finished off with a homemade bow. My mother call me "little miss Susie homemaker." ha hA HA!!!

We made the decision to open our gifts for each other on Christmas day instead of the Eve. We will carry on that tradition with our Girls once they're here. It will be really special.

Last year, we had just gotten Miss Bella. So, this was her first Christmas too. She had to have her own present to open. Isn't she cute.

This year will be another stepping stone for us...

We are in a new place in our marriage. Expecting a baby, let alone twins, is a big step. Our outlook on things have already changed, in a good way of course. We are very excited about this Christmas, but in a way we can hardly wait for it to pass because we'll be that much closer to welcoming our girls to our home.

I'm sharing my story with Friends for the Holly Bloggy Bash. Fix yourself a cup of hot chocolate, curl up in your big chair, and get your read on. I promise you'll be smiling from all of the cuteness and love.

Merry Christmas everyone!!