Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells...

I love decorating for Christmas!  Those that know me best know that I LOVE snowmen!  In fact, as I was unpacking my Christmas decorations and I only had one of the four boxes unpacked and I thought, "Uh oh, where's all of this going to go?!?" lol  When it was all out, I did have to put some back!  Anyhoo, I've documented it photographically.  :)  Enjoy!

Our front door

Welcome! :)

Cute lil Tucker helping me put up the Christmas tree :)

(some of us in this house are allergic to pine, so we go for an artificial tree) 

Tucker investigating the tree's box

A temporary spot for this jingle bell!

He's having too much fun!

Mozart posing on the couch

The fireplace

I just noticed Rob's stocking is on the side of the picture with the man and mines on the side of the picture for the woman!  Also above Rob's stocking is Tucker's and above mine is Mozart's :)

I told you I love snowmen, lol

Nutcracker Corner

I made this angel years ago, I think right before I got married, and the greenery is eucalyptus.  I love it because it STILL smells sooooo good! 

A mouse that if you pull the bottom he plays Christmas music until he winds back up!  My mom has one of these (this one was my Grandma's) and it totally makes me think of my childhood Christmases! 

Side view - Cute lil house that lights up and a plate for Santa's cookies!

Super long stocking wall (and new place for that jingle bell, lol)

Snowmen love America!

On top of the desk

My Santas

More snowmen, lol

Cookie jars on top of the microwave.  I want to get cinnamon sticks for the cup!  I love cinnamon!

My Nativity Nook

Can't forget the reason for the season!  I got this Nativity from my Grandma.

I made this when I made my cloth angel

The BEST Salt and Pepper shaker!  The ornaments are magnetized to his mittens.  This is actually on the table, but at the time of the pictures, the table was a MESS!

More Salt and Pepper Shakers.  I know you don't need more than one set, but they're so cute!

Candle warmer - the candle in there is a mix between cinnamon and gingerbread! Love it!

The BEST and cutest nightlight :)

Here's my tree!

Hehehe, taking pictures of the tree and Moz just popped right in.  He's so cute!  He's saying, "Who's present am I?" :) :) :)

Such an adorable puppins!

Top of the tree

Middle of the tree

Bottom of the tree.  I thought I had a tree skirt, but I guess not...

Decorated TV

I love my jingle bell tree!

Top of the TV

I made these!  Idea from my brother-in-law Bryce!

Can't wait until Christmas!!!

Hope everyone's in the Christmas spirit!  I'm so thankful for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and the wonderful blessings and experiences this Holiday brings to the world!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

...and I told you I had a lot of Snowmen!  ;)

Everyone must take the time to sit and watch the leaves turn...

Let me start off  by saying that I LOVE Christmas time!  BUT...  I am absolutely not a person who rushes right over everything and jumps into Christmas.  I love Christmas, like I said, but everything in its own time!  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because I have SO MUCH to be thankful for!  

So with that in mind, I just wanted to share a little bit of the Thanksgiving season around the Mahoney house...

Our front door

Nook in the china cabinet (my mom made that awesome tile there, it's my favorite scripture passage!)

Key holder (I made that at my favorite place, As You Wish)

The best smelling pinecones around!

Can't wait to get some firewood!

I got these buckets and the potpourri at Michael's last year.  Amazingly, they still smell great!

Arranged it myself :)

I kinda wanna try this recipe! hehehe

On top of the TV

In the middle of the table

Now I know I haven't taken you on a tour of my house yet, but it's never perfect!  lol  I know, I know, I should just do it!  Soon enough I'll have pictures of the place posted.  Until then, you get this limited view!

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love Emerson!  But you know me, I love humor.  So lets end on a funny note...

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
~Author Unknown

Our Story

Today is a very special day for me.  5 years ago today I married my very best friend.  I thought for our Anniversary I'd share our story...

It was December 2003.  I was home for Christmas from college 

Rob was home on leave from the Navy.  He had just recently been stationed on the USS Dwight D Eisenhower at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia.  

I had plans with a friend from NAU to go see the 3rd Lord of the Rings movie.  

Before the movie, I was sitting innocently in my room with my computer on when I received an Instant Message from this friend that said, "Hey Baby".  I wrote back, "Who is this?".  The reply was, "This is John!"  I said, "Um no!  John would never say that to me!"  

Rob just happened to be friends from high school with this fellow and saw my name pop up on his buddy list.  Rob thought it'd be funny to embarrass him.  Didn't work out so well because I knew it wasn't him.  Anyway we chatted a bit and before I had to go, we exchanged screennames. 

Then John invited Rob to come along to the movies with us.  

I walked in to the theater and saw this totally CUTE guy standing with my friend.  I walked over to them and was introduced.  I can tell you I was instantly attracted to him!  We had some time before the movie, in which Rob now tells me that I was VERY flirtatious with him.  I don't remember being OVERLY flirty (I was just a naturally flirty girl), but obviously it wasn't too much to scare him away!  While waiting for the movie Rob went to the concession stand, he asked me if I wanted to come along.  I said sure!  He bought me a soda, I don't even drink soda, but I took it because he was so cute!  

After the movies, we parted ways and I wasn't sure if I would hear from him again.  

But then, after break, when I was back at NAU, I saw his screenname pop up on my messenger list.  I messaged him, we chatted for a bit and then he gave me his phone number!  :D

After that we talked every day (except for his duty days) on the phone for hours.

In May 2004 I had made plans to go see my best friend Anna in NYC while she was up there studying dance at Juilliard

I asked Rob what he thought about me making a stop in VA on my way up to NYC to visit him.  Maybe he could join me in NY...  He thought and thought... and finally decided he would!

Anna took this while we were having dinner in an Applebee's in NYC.

By December 2004 we were engaged

And November 4th 2005 we were married.

I am so grateful to have married my very best friend!  We've been through tough storms and rough seas, but I know that our love will persevere.  I am so blessed to be able to love someone so completely and have that deep, undivided love returned back to me.  I am thankful every day for my wonderful husband!