Greetings From Oklahoma!

I walked out into our living room at 5:30am this morning, groggier than usual because I'm still stuck in eastern time and because I haven't had to wake up early while on vacation.  

And I was greeted with the most beautiful sight:  

our Christmas tree all lit up and unfinished decorations strewn all over the living room and kitchen.

That's where I am this morning.  

Typing in the quiet of my living room, which will turn to beautiful chaos when the kiddos wake up.

My heart is calm, my body is rested after a 12-day vacation, 

and my mind is clear after an accidental internet sabbatical.

It's good to be home though.  Oklahoma, I missed you.  

I missed your plains, your windy unpredictable weather, and your sunsets.  

I missed my now-familiar.

Sixteen and half hours didn't trample our spirits for the weekend.  

We filled it up full -- in true Johnson style.  Went to the tree farm yesterday afternoon...  

South Carolina, what Oklahoma lacks in apple farms, they make up for in Christmas tree farms.

We got a free hayride, which the kids absolutely loved...

Can you tell???

And we're working on Keller sticking up to Shiloh like a man...

He thinks battle wounds from sister are cool, but we're trying to convince him male domination is cooler.

You would almost think she was innocent, wouldn't you?

And this one???

...has increased in energy lately.  Two words. 

UH-OH.

That's the best photo we could get of the three musketeers together.  Anyone else dreading Christmas photos like I am?  Man, cheer up Mary Beth.  At the very least, you'll get a good funny one. :-)

I made this Advent wreath this weekend for our church.  I used a combo of artificial sprigs from Ikea and some live evergreen from my Mother-in-law's yard.  {Thanks, Tammy!}  

We're celebrating Advent this year at our house too.  I can't wait to see how excited the kiddos get when we get our calendar done!  

Here's my inspiration:

It's from Pottery Barn and I can't find it online anymore so it must be last year's?

I am almost caught up on laundry and house cleaning after coming home, 

so I can dive guilt-free into the Advent calendar project today with the kids. And I might, just might, be listening to bluegrass Christmas music while we do it.

I better get on it!

Happy, happy, happy Christmas!