My family went all out this year! I swear they moved the North Pole to Texas. John even commented “I keeping waiting for Santa to show up and take pictures with the kids.” It was wonderful! I think my mom made Buddy in elf (Will Ferrell) look like the Grinch with all her over 160 (she lost count) hand cut snowflakes and homemade chain of ribbon 1200 ft long that went around the entire house- with only 1 break.
They had put up snowflake lights on the walkway to the front door complete with a sign that said “North Pole” pointing towards the door. And there was a Christmas tree on the front porch. I forgot to take pictures of these of course.
We all enjoyed it. Of course we had to tease her because growing up she never got into decorating for Christmas this much. I think it is because she never had grown elves helping her; it was like adding fuel to a fire. My Dad, Lauren, David, Mary, Bridgette, Ethan and Rachel had some late nights putting it all together and moving furniture to make the winter wonderland a success!
The front entry way
The entry and an alcove covered with wrapping paper, bow trimmed, and beautiful statue of the Holy Family.
Down the halls all the doors were wrapped with wrapping paper. Yes that is Justin Bieber wrapping paper.
A mirror in the hall with ornaments. Then pictures in the bedroom (where the boys sleep) were made to look like presents. Oh and check out the light switch by Rachel.
Mary added gift tags with funny little messages. The Bieber present said “From Justin, To One Less Lonely Girl.” Noah said that one was for Bridgette! The tree was inspired by a Hallmark movie my mom and sisters watched. So they painted it on the wall across from the winter wonderland and then used bottle caps for the ornaments- really cute! Makaela thought it was a real Christmas tree because she took the ornaments off of it just like the real tree!
The curtains were the entry to the Winter Wonderland. Inside they used tarps to cover the bookcases on one side and create a ceiling. Snowflakes were put on top of the tarp so you could see them when the regular light was turned on.
They covered the opposite wall with glitter tissue paper and snowflakes. The penguins, 3 Christmas trees and stockings covered the tarp. Also they had fluff to look like snow.
One tree it you look carefully was a princess tree for Makaela. They also moved a TV, DVD player, and Wii into the room just for the kids. OK, the big kids did invade and I beat all my sisters at the Just Dance 3 game. The kitchen was also decked out. The walls covered with wrapping paper, bows around the windows and lights.
The chain still continued through the kitchen and into the living room.
The tree pre-presents and a cute little corner where mom hung all the ornaments we made in school.
The mantel didn’t have enough room for all my siblings’ stockings so they went on the bar area. The last picture she hung our old stockings in between two collages of pictures from Christmases past.
I don’t think the pictures do it justice, but they all did a wonderful job! Thank you to all my family who put in so much time and hard work to spread some Christmas Magic. You guys are the GREATEST!!!