Thanksgiving & Christmas Tour {2017}

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s were all spent in Arizona with family (36 of us) from all over the country since it was my mom’s dream to have everyone together this year…she is fighting cancer and so very aware life is short. Coordinating the multitude of flights and travel plans (kids in college, in-laws, busy spouses) was a challenge, but somehow we all managed to make her Christmas dream a reality.

Present over perfect is an apt description of all of us this year, and in addition to celebrating Christmas together, we squeezed in a college graduation party, a girl’s night in, a pro basketball game, mountain climbing, karaoke party, and even an engagement (my nephew proposed to his girlfriend during this vacation).

In recent years, my family has essentially taken over the neighborhood where my parents live. My youngest sister lives with her family just around the corner, her in-laws also live in the neighborhood, my brother lives a mile away, and our vacation cottage is just 2 miles away! I was able to walk to and from my folks’ house almost every day in the 70-degree balmy weather.

My mom and dad always go the extra mile with their entertaining and decorating, and they have a gift for making others feel special. I worry about them at times though since they are getting older and doing all the hosting is exhausting. I had the easy job of snapping photos here and there and preparing a few side dishes…please enjoy a glimpse of the sights and sounds of our holiday 2017.

First, Thanksgiving…last year, on a whim, my sister and I swapped the living room and dining room in our folk’s home since they need to accommodate a crowd quite often and liked the idea of a cozier, out of the way living room. They love this room now and use it for playing board games and hosting dinners.

Thanksgiving placesetting
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017

This was the kids’ table in the kitchen…my mom has placed Carl Larsson puzzles the family completed under the glass top of her kitchen table:

Kids Table - Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017

Their dining room hutch/buffet remained in the old dining room which is now the living room and doesn’t at all seem out of place.

Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017

It’s Arizona so the sun was shining this brightly on Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Thanksgiving in Arizona 2017
Our Family in Arizona for the Holidays 2017

My mom always devotes a Christmas tree to strictly Swedish ornaments, and this tree is in their loft on the second floor.

Mom and Dad's House - Christmas in Arizona 2017
Mom and Dad’s House – Christmas in Arizona 2017

It wouldn’t be Christmas at their house without a Swedish goat or five…

Mom and Dad's House - Christmas in Arizona 2017
Mom and Dad’s House – Christmas in Arizona 2017

Downstairs, on the first floor, is another beautiful tree with pretty lit candles.

Mom and Dad's House - Christmas in Arizona 2017
Mom and Dad’s House – Christmas in Arizona 2017

Before we had a house in the neighborhood, this was my bedroom:

Mom and Dad's House - Christmas in Arizona 2017
Mom and Dad’s House – Christmas in Arizona 2017

And this is my sister’s bedroom where Gracie and Jada (shihtzu mix rescues my parents adopted) are posing:

Mom and Dad's House - Christmas in Arizona 2017
Mom and Dad’s House – Christmas in Arizona 2017

Just a mile away, my brother lives in a newer ranch with a top hatted tree:

My Brother's House - Christmas 2017
My Brother’s House – Christmas 2017
My Brother's House - Christmas 2017
My Brother’s House – Christmas 2017
My Brother's House - Christmas 2017
My Brother’s House – Christmas 2017

My brother also has a pair of shihtzus, and on a shelf is a watercolor I commissioned years ago of his beloved, now in heaven, Mindy:

My Brother's House - Christmas 2017
My Brother’s House – Christmas 2017

Aren’t these shelves perfect for seasonal decorating?

My Brother's House - Christmas 2017
My Brother’s House – Christmas 2017

In my sister’s entry, she has a gorgeous white tree, and her staircase twinkles:

My Sister's House - Christmas 2017
My Sister’s House – Christmas 2017

On Christmas Eve at my sister’s party:

My Sister's House - Christmas 2017
My Sister’s House – Christmas 2017

This is my sister’s family room tree:

My Sister's House - Christmas 2017
My Sister’s House – Christmas 2017

My nieces made this cute area for holiday selfies in their dance room:

My Sister's House - Christmas 2017
My Sister’s House – Christmas 2017

This is us:

My Siblings & Parents – Christmas 2017

As you may have surmised, I didn’t decorate our Arizona house. I lit candles and simmered potpourri, but I kindly gave myself a break. Next up, I’ll show you the sweet pink candy house I decorated! Thanks for reading, friends.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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White Slipcovered Sofa
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29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
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Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing
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4 Comments

  1. January 9, 2018 / 11:56 am

    Charming, especially your brother’s Christmas decor. Love the hat topper for the tree!

    • michele
      Author
      January 9, 2018 / 4:43 pm

      I love that detail too and am filing it away for future reference! Have a great day, Jo. 🙂

  2. Rhonda
    January 9, 2018 / 2:40 pm

    Thanks for sharing your holiday pics. I could feel the joy.

    • michele
      Author
      January 9, 2018 / 4:42 pm

      Thanks for following, Rhonda. My family members are much better at creating a festive mood at Christmas than I am! 🙂

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing