25 Days of Elf on a Shelf!

I know we are already missing that little guy or girl that stalked our house for a month...gave us nightmares and caused general mischief that just couldn't be explained away! Davis is way too old for "the elf" but I enjoy terrorizing her with it and I think deep down she really does like looking for him every morning. Ours is Baxter. He almost didn't make it back from the North Pole this year but at the last minute he was "found" hiding somewhere I didn't remember to look. We almost had to let his twin in. It would have actually been his triplet because like I said he hides really well. He arrived much to Davis' disappointment like he always does, riding the top of our tree.

We soon found out this year he had a fascination with toilet paper when he showed up in Davis' bathroom the next day.

The next morning he tried to make it down the stairs.

Then he "swaddled" the baby Jesus from our nativity scene.

Still obsessed, he toilet papered Davis' tree.

The next morning he scared her when she went to get the milk.

He finally used up the roll by toilet papering her bed. Glad that was over!

But then it got worse...we found him playing here. The stuff nightmares are made of!

He took over Davis' morning cereal.

And even found a girlfriend one night.

To make up for his shenanigans he brought Davis a gift of a new sweatshirt!

And then rode back in on a huge peacock!

He was up to his old tricks when he used Davis' toothbrush on his bottom.

And then we found him taking a relaxing swan ride.

There were also pony rides.

And reindeer rides.

He even came back and got himself stuck much to Davis' delight.

It was so hot here for Christmas he even dreamed of snow.

And then he warmed up the next day taking a sun bath on the toaster.

He took over Santa's sleigh.

And the advent calender.

But made up for it all when he brought Davis Disneyland tickets one morning.

He hid in our Griswold tree.

And spent the last night with us at church.

I have to say I miss the little guy. Davis says she doesn't but I think she does. Aren't we all counting down the days until they return?

-Tricia

Merry Christmas! Is it Really Over?

There is so much planning and excitement that goes into the entire Christmas holiday it feels like it can't really be over! I admit I have a bit of an emotional letdown after the holiday. It's like coming home after a really great vacation- you had a great time, but who really wants to come home? I do a lot to keep the real meaning in Christmas for Davis. Below are some of our family traditions. The elf Baxter will get his own blog post since his adventures are too numerous too post about here- you don't want to be reading all day! 

We started our season off in November by packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.This is a great Christmas ministry and if you have never had a chance to do it- check it out! It's fun and rewarding!

We go to the annual Christmas tree lighting at our church. Singing carols around the tree in fake snow is as close as we get to a white Christmas here in California!

We always have an annual Christmas lunch with our friends.

Since Davis spent one Christmas at CHOC Hospital we always drop off toys every year. We know how hard it is to spend the holidays in the hospital so we like to give back some of the toys Davis received while she was there.

You can't forget the advent calendar! Davis ate chocolate every day before she went to school, lol.

We also have Christmas trees in our bedroom. Davis' was Haunted Mansion themed- naturally.

Not only did we pack boxes for Operation Christmas Child, Davis was finally old enough to volunteer at their distribution center.

Davis had her school's Christmas dance. She went vintage. That's my girl!

We made our annual trip to Disneyland to see all of the holiday lights!

We baked for neighbors and friends.

Then it was time to pick out our tree. We overbought on size and didn't know how it was going to fit in the house. We've had a lot of laughs over our "Griswold" tree! 

Then the actual day arrived! We spent it with my parents at our house. It was a great day of family time!

After dinner we always decorate a birthday cake for baby Jesus. This is a tradition that I have been doing since I was a child.

We also give each other funny gifts. I found this old Tupperware bowl at a estate sale. It's what we used as kids as a "barf bucket." Of course I knew it was perfect for my mom! Question was- would she remember it like I did...of course she did, lol!

My mom got me one back by finding my 1970's penguin beach towel I had as a kid!

And it's not Christmas at the Foggs until the animals are in their holiday outfits! Is it wrong I enjoy this so much? Probably, lol.

I present Candy in all of her finery.

Lucky had several costumes...from Santa Claus to reindeer to elf.

Midnight as Santa Claws.

The only animal exempt is Tygrr. At age twenty he gets a pass but he did get a new bed for his old bones for Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. It was full of family, fun and laughs. Am I sad it's over? Yes! Am I milking it for all it's worth through the New Year? Absolutely. 

-Tricia

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

and this girl loves Christmas! I am completely obsessed with planning the "perfect" holiday. Every since we spent Christmas in CHOC with Davis I have felt the need to out do myself every year. I started decorating the week before Thanksgiving in order to "max out" the holiday time. We won't get our real tree until this weekend but we do have five artificial ones up. Of course, Davis had to have a Haunted Mansion themed tree and I was able to find a black tinsel one online...who knew? I thought I would share a few of my things I have collected here. Luckily, for me Brian loves living in a house where it looks like a Christmas bomb went off, however, I think he might be getting a little tired of me playing Christmas carols 24/7.

I finally finished up the mantle. I made the display with the vintage Christmas records I collected over the past year. I added in a few of my vintage elves and Santas and I really love the way it turned out.

Right below it is my score of a complete set of Putz houses I found last weekend at the flea and I just HAD to have them. Luckily, I am friends with the dealer and he gave me a sweet deal on them. They are in their original box and even have the people and trees!

I picked up this church at an estate sale about a week ago. I have never seen one like it and I am in love!

One of my trees is white with vintage ornaments. I scored the gold base at the flea this weekend too. It was a good day! The cords from the mantle drive me crazy but I haven't figured out a solution yet.

This sweet Santa was another flea market find from the weekend.

A few years back I remembered the nativity scene from when I was a kid and I just had to have it. I found the set complete on eBay in it's original box. A really fond memory from my childhood.

I'm also obsessed with the old felt ornaments especially the reindeer. Here is part of my deer collection.

You can't have too many felt Santas either!

I also am obsessed with nativity scenes and here is one of the five I have up this year. It's a lot bigger then it looks in the photo.

I try to ad a little bit of Christmas in with our normal decor.

And last but certainly not least is my very favorite tree. My vintage silver with the color wheel and vintage metal base. I love it so much it has a home on our kitchen center island.

I hope you are all feeling the Christmas spirit! It's only fifteen days away! 

-Tricia