We had steaming hot gumbo, spicy etouffee, tempting sweets...
Then Santa stopped by and we opened gifts galore...
Afterward, we headed out into the night to see the Festival of Lights...
Armadillo with a cowboy hat...
Tunnel of lights...
Three amigos, three amigas...
Alligators...
Longhorns...
Silly Santa...
A busy elf...
The lone star state is proud...
We hope you all had a very Merry & blessed...
!!!
Come again, y'all!
She decorated it herself...
For You
Fold cardstock in half, stamp, fill the heart in with color, punch a hole for the raffia, stamp my nephews name inside.
Done.
BZ
Cut an oval with an interesting edging, stamp, punch hole.
Done.
Max
Use a pre-cut tag, place an "M" at the top, stamp the remaining letters of name, tie a knot on piece of ribbon after inserting through hole of tag, place & glue strategically on pre-decorated gift box.
Done.
A Gift for All Y'all
Cut three circles (I used red, dark brown & a gold-ish paper)each getting a bit smaller than the last, stick a Christmas-y embellishment at the top, dig through buttons, find one & glue at bottom, Use stickers for first letters of each name & the "&", stamp the remaining letters of names.
Done.
These were fun & easy and used stuff I already had on hand.
Well, I hope you enjoyed (that I bared my crafting-101 soul to y'all & hope you don't laugh at/mock me all you black belt crafters you) this little tour through my Christmas gift tag gallery.
Please come again!
the ladies
the gents
I miss 'em already.
We drove nine hours to get home and the last two or three was in drizzle. And fog. And some rain. And let's throw in a little bit of Houston's rush hour traffic. In the dark. In the Monster (some of y'all know what I mean).
I was shell shocked when I pulled into our driveway. I was still thanking the Lord well into the next day that we made it home in one piece. Deep breath. Just thinking about it still puts me in a state.
Let's brighten the mood a bit shall we?
A brief tour of a few of my favorite Christmas decos...
I glittered the SNOW letters & added a few embellishments from my scrapbooking supplies collection. (Have I ever mentioned I collect scrapbooking materials? One day I intend to actually scrapbook with them.) 
A sand dollar I glittered years ago before the mighty Domestic Diva herself decided to make & heavily promote glitter. (You know who I'm talkin' about. Yes...her.) I made a set of six and I hold my breath as I carefully unfurl them from their tissue paper each Christmas, hoping they are still intact and haven't released their tiny doves while I wasn't looking.
Our stockings hung by the chimney with care. Mike's, Bobo's, Ari's (who isn't very hopeful is she?Just jokin'. I hung that there. Because she does have lofty ambitions when it come to gettin' gifts.) and mine. The Santa painting was done by my oh-so-talented mom years ago before I had Ari. Notice that tag hanging from the teddy's arm? It has my son's names painted on it.
Well, this Missus Claus has hung her hat & apron up for this Christmas. (More about that next time.) These are the closest anyone around here is gettin' to homemade cookies this year...
Maybe next year.
The kiddos watching a pre-dinner movie (Jesse is always moving!)
My pretty niece, Zoe
Gram & the girls...granddaughters Breezi & Ariana
The arrival of my handsome brother. Father & son embrace. Heartwarming!
Mother & son enjoying pie & catching up on news
Our own private Santa, incognito. My daddy 
After many attempts at charming guests in the quest to get a tidbit of turkey, Toaster resigns himself to a turkey day nap. 