{ Believe }

Here is the rest of my Christmas decor posts, I did realize I forgot to photograph a few things but no biggie, you get the idea and can see that I go overboard! This is sort of off topic but we are currently in the market for a mirror to go above our fireplace (maybe Santa will have brought me this one), I just think our mantel would have looked so much better with a gorgeous mirror hanging above it.

{ North Pole Village }

My second Christmas decor post is about my village, I collect and love the Department 56 North Pole Series. My obsession with this started because of my husband (then boyfriend), for our first Christmas together (in '98) he bought me my first piece and ever since then I've been hooked! I have over 40 of the houses/buildings and too many accessories to count, and until our basement is finished and I can decorate down there I don't have room for them all. I display them under our tree, and in our foyer and great room mostly, but have a few random pieces that I prefer to showcase alone as you will see in the pictures. As I was editing this post I realized I didn't take any pictures of the houses under the tree and honestly I am too lazy to start over!

{ O Christmas Tree }

I admit that I am one of those people who upon taking down the Halloween decorations immediately starts decorating for Christmas, I can't help it, I get too excited to wait! Our Christmas tree brings so much peace and joy into our home during the holidays, it's pains me to take it down when all is said and done. I love each and every ornament on this tree for a different reason, but of course I couldn't photograph all of them so here are some highlights. I do have 3 other mini trees that I decorate with extra special ornaments that I will post pictures of throughout the week, along with all the other decor, there is just so much!

{ Happy Birthday to Me }

My 31st birthday was this past Saturday November 13th, it's always so nice when your birthday falls on a weekend, don't you agree? Not to mention that we had a beautiful day here in Michigan, which is rare on my birthday! I had made a comment that it's never been this nice on my birthday and Jim corrected me by telling me last years weather was way better, well he's technically right seeing as we spent my 30th birthday last year on vacation in Disney World.

Jim & I started the day off spending quality time together doing some shopping (including Ikea) and afterwards enjoyed a wonderful lunch at The Melting Pot, I swear there is nothing like their dessert. In the evening we celebrated by getting together with friends and family at Dave and Busters, which I chose because it's a fun place for adults and children. I am really blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life and am blessed to have celebrated another year of this beautiful thing we call life.

The only pictures I have to share are a couple that I snapped with my phone while having dessert at Melting Pot, if you've never had their dessert you should make a point to go there soon!

Hmm.. what to have first?

A brownie it is... dipped in Smores chocolate!

{ Game Day }

We've been Detroit Lions season ticket holders for 12 years (prior to our relationship Jim was a season ticket holder for a number of years also), it's something we both love and enjoy doing together. This past Sunday we had two extra tickets to the game so Jim decided to surprise me (or at least try to) and invite my best friend Amy and my little sister Jamie to join us. The Lions ended up losing the game to the Jets in OT, but we still had a blast and here are the pictures to prove it. The first picture here with our mascot Roary was the last picture we took and it was on our way out of the game after the loss, but we are smiling BIG because we've waited 12 years to get a picture with Roary!

Yes, we bought matching shirts at the game

{ Trick or Treat }

It has become a fun tradition for us to host a small party on Halloween for our family and friends. This year I dressed up and walked with all the little ones as they went door to door, and although it was cold we had a great time. I'm disappointed that I didn't get pictures of all our guests that stopped by throughout the night, but it was a busy evening in our house!

Sheriff Tamara

Scarecrow, my Mom Punky Brewster, my niece Erin

Lil' Red Riding Hood, my sister Jamie

Wolverine, my nephew Nicholas

Jamie & her Superhero Son

Jamie, Mom, Me

Us

Jim & Audrey (aka Lil' Miss Serious)

The Lions finally have a cheerleader!

My friend Amy & her boys (Jayden & Christian)

The start of ToT'ing ~ Amy with her 3 kids + Nicholas

By the end of the night Audrey insisted on walking herself!