Christmas in Dixie

 How was your Christmas? Ours was everything and more than we could imagine! We started our morning watching Henry (our nephew) open his gifts from Santa. The whole Santa thing was new to him considering it was his first Christmas, but I have a good feeling that he'll be more and more excited in the years to come! After opening gifts with the Coodys, Brince and I headed down the road a few miles to Mom and Dad's house to open more gifts. Oh boy! We were so blessed this Christmas and got some great gifts for our newlywed home. You know that times have changed when you get excited over monogrammed sheets and towels! Heck yeah!

By noon, we were headed to Cordele for the annual Christmas lunch and gift exchange at Mema's house. No one does lunch like Mema...seriously. After lunch, all of the grandchildren fight for a spot on the sofa for a Christmas afternoon nap.

On Christmas Eve, my Dad's side of the family (the McLeods) come over for dinner and gift exchange.  My parents are great hosts for holiday and family get togethers. Their house is so beautiful at Christmas - I just had to share!! I hope you enjoy this little Christmas tour!

At the front door, guests are greeted by these life-size soldiers.

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The sideboard in the foyer remains simple with some greenery and red berries.

This beautiful lantern (which happens to be mine) and Santa sit on the landing of the stairs. 

Their dining room is always beautiful, but the Christmas mantel and centerpiece are a spectacle! I love the natural elements that are incorporated... sticks and greenery of all kinds. On the table, there is a stuffed pheasant that was gifted to my parents from Mema and Daddy Curt a few years ago. Dad and I purchased the teak bowl at Scotts to place the pheasant mount in. Dad surrounded the bird with palm, pine, magnolia, eucalyptus and cotton.

These were the place settings on the kids' table.

Speaking of kids, check out these little lookers many, many Christmases ago (maybe '95 or '96).

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...here's the mantel in the living room. There are matching stockings hung but as you will see, there are more stockings in the chairs below. My sweet Aunt Jane (great Aunt) knitted these stockings for us when we were young kids. We've loved them our whole lives, especially because they stretch reallllly long and fit more goodies in them. :) We've always demanded that mom use our "real" stockings on Christmas, so she just hangs the other ones up for looks.

They only have 5 hooks, so my stocking and Brince's stocking share one hook.

And here's the beautiful tree!

 This sign was hanging up on Mom and Dad's room. Apparently Santa had already set up shop...

We managed to snap a family picture before the end of the night.

Our first married Christmas!