Its a Luau!

Olivia decided she wanted her fifth birthday party to be here at our house. We had never had one here before, so I obliged. What trouble can a small luau, an inflatable and some cake be? Have you met me?

One day before the party, I was ready to throw in the towel. But, we made it through, and it was actually fun! And, as usual, there aren't as many pictures as I would like. I take 100 pictures on normal days, but just can't find the time on special occasions! I didn't even get a group picture or pics of the all the decorations!

Party Favors

Our back door, leading out to the luau

Pumpkin Face was here...she wasn't so sure about the 50+people invading her back yard!

...So she decided to take a nap with Nana

My little ham always gets a little shy when "Happy Birthday" starts

"...Oh, there's cake--maybe I should wake up for this!"

My Built-Ins

When Michael and I first looked at the house we live in now, I fell in love with our built in shelves on either side of the fireplace...that is--until a few days after we moved in and I started trying to decorate them. I got about 2 shelves deep on one side and realized that I had used every single decoration I had previously owned and still had 4 shelves to decorate! So now...months later...my built-ins are no longer naked. They aren't perfect, but not naked!

So now...I'm turning to you for help and input...I'm desperate!

I'm participating in Tabletop Tuesday at gritsglamour.blogspot.com

Rocky Top Sign

Believe it or not...I had actually been considering ordering this sign for Michael's office...then the unfortunate coaching news broke...

Oh well...I guess Knoxville always will be Home Sweet Home no matter who our coach is!

Decking the Halls 2009

Its no secret that I LOVE to decorate for the holidays! Some may even say that I go overboard (those people are just plain Scrooges!) Although, with this being our first year in this house, I must admit, I feel kind of bare...oh well, I guess I just need to buy twice as much in 2010!

So come on into my living room (and yes, that is Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer playing), and if you look close enough, you might even find Jingle Belle Tinsel our family elf!

Christmas tree during the day

...and at night. Confession: Mollie thought this photo shoot was about her and I didn't have the heart to tell her it wasn't, so you might find a little extra Christmas cheer in the form of a weim in some shots!

My super cute new tree skirt

View from the kitchen

Front door

View from our front door--guess I should have put this one first!

Not a lot going on in the kitchen...this is my "project" for 2010!

Michael's Chicago Bears wreath in the office...next year the lucky boy will have his very own orange and white tinsel tree!

Master bedroom...the Santa Baby room

That is a giant Santa belt across the comforter

The girls' bathroom

Olivia's room...she also gets her own tree next year

Ana Blair's room

Back door wreath...thanks for stopping by!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!