{brown paper packages tied up with strings..}

Yes! Brown wrap {and white} are 2 of my favorite things. I have always believed that when you give a gift- you are really giving 2- the actual gift & the wrap! Silly? I think not! :: Our favorites this year: A-man's- the one with the lego mini-figure; no surprise! Prissy's- the one with ruffly white bow {a scrap from the elastic from a sheet :) }:: These pretty packages under our CHRISTmas tree are making us more & MORE excited about the big day!

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I think using trader joe's bags as CHRISTmas wrap is pure genius- I can't take the credit- I saw them on urban farmgirl's blog. But we do have some under out tree too!

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Also this is a MUST make after CHRISTmas. I think having a little "home" for my ear buds is gonna make running even more sweeter. And I'm pretty sure a little girl I know will want some to...... {credit from dog under my desk- blog}

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And this little lego creation from my A-man makes me want to cry... This is Prissy {I love the ponytail on the side}, me {and I love my scarf & shades}, Joey {tie & khaki pants}, & him {backpack full of legos!}- ALL headed to Indiana for CHRISTmas!!!!

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::Our family has a few CHRISTmas traditions: #1 we exchange ONLY 3 gifts because we want our children to see us giving 3 like the wise men did for baby Jesus, #2 we always adopt a family in need (usually with children) so that our children can help choose gifts for them, #3 we bake a birthday cake for Jesus on CHRISTmas Eve & eat it for breakfast on CHRISTmas morning, & #4 Joey reads the story of baby Jesus to us during our party- this is my FAVORITE because Josey now chimes in with verses & narrates right along with him! Well.. I gotta get back to work- we have a few more gifts to deliver... "Only 2 more sleeps Momma" has been said around this house more than once this morning.. (that is how she has equated time since she was 2.. I LIKE her....)::