Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket

Friday, December 17, 2010

Annual Christmas Party

IMG_7586

Every year at my parents house the Christmas decorations come out the day after Thanksgiving.

This process in itself takes several hours. There are so many boxes and bags.

IMG_7583

You can see by the Pier 1 bags that we hit up the after Christmas sales last year. It's best to buy these things when they are 75-90% off.

My dad spends a few days stringing lights and moving things around and my mom takes the better part of a week focused on decorating.

The annual Christmas party is a big deal and we look forward to it every year.

IMG_8132
B and the Peanut enjoying a little downtime before everyone gets here.

Here is just a tiny peak into the amazingness that is my parent's house during the holidays.

IMG_8133

This past summer they gutted and renovated their backyard. It's amazing how it turned out.

IMG_8135

In the corner you see a bar that seats 8 on one side and on the other you have an awesome BBQ, fridge, sink, etc.

IMG_8138

This house is built to entertain, from the kitchen and living room to the back yard.

IMG_8140

Cheese and appetizers, anyone?

We weren't able to do the cheese display until the last minute because it was 84 degrees here in Huntington Beach. On December 12th. How crazy is that?

IMG_8141

I love that it feels like an outdoor living space. It's perfect because here in So Cal we can pretty much use it year round.

IMG_8142

I think the fireplace is my favorite.

IMG_8144

These bookshelves are a good indication of the Christmas decorations in the house. Not a single shelf without some holiday flair. It is everywhere!

I grew up thinking this was normal. Heh.

IMG_8163

More serving space for food. It's all about the food around here.

IMG_8168

There were times growing up when the tree would be so big that my dad would have to trim down the top to fit it in the house.

Sometimes it would look like the top must be gowing thru the roof and sticking out the other side.

The angel is always sitting in the tree instead of on top.

IMG_8170

My mom collects nativities and they are everywhere around the house. This is the biggest one and is always displayed here. Usually she takes out the baby Jesus until Christmas morning but things have been a bit hectic and he is still out.

We have a little joke we play regarding the baby Jesus. I'll share it with you later.

IMG_8172

This is the view from the living room into the kitchen. In the middle is what I look forward to every year.

It's my mom's eggnog. She starts it 2 weeks before the party. I tastes nothing like what you get at the store. It has alcohol and lots of cream and it's so delicious that my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

IMG_8191

That was just the tiniest glimpse of the festivities around here!

As you can see, the Peanut was hittin' the eggnog pretty hard.

15 comments:

  1. Wow! That was amazing! No, honey, this is not the way normal people decorate their homes. This kicks it up several notches. Absolutely beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am so impressed. and inspired. I am having this major mental hang up about christmas somewhere where there isn't snow. I lived in snowland MN for 13 yrs and the last 3 in Nashville just don't "feel" like christmas...so I am definitely inspired by all the christmas beauty your mom brings into her home. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, so amazing! Utterly jealous of weather that allows such an amazing outdoor space! X

    ReplyDelete
  4. That outdoor fireplace was AWESOME! What a fun beautiful place for a Christmas get-together. Makes me hungry and happy all at once:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. WOW!! Amazing!! I love your comment about growing up to think that it's normal. Made me smile. What a great thing that your mom gave you for the holidays. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I used to live in so-cal, so I definitely know what you mean by the weather! Your folks' house is absolutely awesome, and the Peanut is too cute with that little tie on his shirt! :) Your mom's eggnog sounds absolutely amazing...none for me though, as I still have 11 weeks before our little guy arrives. ;)

    Thanks for sharing! These pictures are great, and it really makes me want to decorate more.

    ReplyDelete
  7. loving the backyard space, wow!!! and all the decorations, amazing...we used to decorate like that as kids, but as we have gotten older it has been paired down! glad to see peanut liked the eggnog, cause ya know that is a taste you either love or hate! :) almost christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  8. WOW! She goes all out doesn't she? I don't know how they do it but my mom is the same way. So much stuff and it takes forever to put out. I wish I had that backyard....it is to die for. Gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love, love, love... all of it! The indoor spaces, the outdoor spaces - doesn't get any better than that! I especially adore the traditional looking Christmas tree... so beautiful. And of course, Peanut... my goodness he could not be any cuter. He looks like a perfect 'little man' in that shirt! :) Thanks for sharing (and nope, I'm not coming over to help put all those decs away.. hehe! they are so beautiful though!). -T

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh my gosh I am totally in love with your parents outdoor space. And a button down shirt for Peanut. Be still my beating heart.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The fireplace and outdoor space is AMAZING!! Looks like a great spread too. The decorating might not be "normal," but you're not alone! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. How beautiful!!! ,,,and Peanut is so cute!!! luvuallbye

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love it! Absolutely stunning. The bookshelf is my favorite. I am planning on hitting up the after Christmas sales. I am slowly building my collection. Your parent's house is my dream!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Incredible. I can tell your mother does
    all this work that goes into this much decorating with love for her family and friends!


    Pamela
    NE Ohio

    ReplyDelete
  15. Girl, it looks awesome there! They really know how to decorate! I bet you never want to leave!!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments make my day- thanks for visiting!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Blogging tips