Christmas Tour of our Home

Today, is one of my favorite blogging days of all. I love touring homes, and Christmas tours are the best. I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner to show our Christmas decorations for this year. 

I wanted to go with a country theme this year. However, my tree doesn't represent that. I fell in love with all of the burlap and plaid, but didn't want to replace my tree decor this year because I just bought it last year. I love all things country. Love the outdoors, the decor, the simple country cooking, farming, and teaching my boys all about it as well. 

Fell in love with this rustic and plaid paper!

Our fireplace was built by my handy husband. He also killed the buck that these antlers came from. Another new obsession I have this year. Decorating with pine cones, antlers, buckeyes, anything you can find in nature.

I made my boys new stockings from burlap material I had on hand and painted their initials. 

I love this Christmas quilt made by my mom. Maybe I will get some "down" time in a few years of raising small boys and may start one for the boy's future family home. Karson also has one on his bed made by her!

Santa pictures are also out for pretty! 

A few Christmas things hanging around in our kitchen. LOVE Pioneer Woman!

A few days ago, the boys and I cut down an evergreen/pin cone tree to decorate with. They had a blast each taking turns with the saw (supervised of course) and I love the fresh smell. It's awesome what you can find in your own backyard!

A few things on our front porch. I changed all of our wreath bows from red to burlap ones this year. Truth be told, my husband made them. As well as this little white sled. He's so handy!!

Hope you enjoyed our Christmas Home Tour!

Our Fireplace was a DIY!

We have finished up another project this week! Our fireplace/built in bookshelves have been on hold for the past 2 years. I am so thankful we were able to do this project right in time for the winter months. My husband has learned to be quite the handy man since we built our home almost 3 years ago. He has finished our house with trim, interior doors, painting, outdoor projects, multiple "fixes" that weren't expected, and even built our fireplace. We are very happy with how it turned out. 

First thing he put in the actual "fireplace" insert. We chose a gas log insert with a blower that would heat our entire level. Our last house had a wood burning stove and it was really too much on me trying to get it going with 2 little ones and a husband who is gone a lot with work. Not to mention the fact that the last month we were there, I almost caught the whole house on fire with it. (long story) So I knew that a gas log idea was best for our family even though wood burning would be cheaper and "more fun" in Kevin's eyes :)

The boys were THRILLED when we started this. I expanded our project and suggested that we add a hearth at the bottom for me to sit things on and a place for pictures, etc. It all had to be done with wood that was flame resistant. 

Next game the framing in of the fireplace. We had to have wood around it in order for us to put the stones on something. 

We picked a stone from Lowes called "Air stone". It is very easy to work with it gave the country look I was hoping for without the huge stone price. 

After all of the framing was done, Kevin started with the stone work. He had to cut all of the stone with a hack saw which took a lot of time. We wanted to keep the stones looking rough and different so it was like a puzzle piecing them all together. 

I am THRILLED with the completed look. It was everything I was hoping for, for half of the price.