For as long as I can remember, my father has taken me to the most magical house around Christmastime. It’s belongs to a dear family friend of ours who’s been kind enough to let us ooo and awe over her amazing and over-the-top Christmas decorations for more than a decade. Even as an adult, the vignettes she sets up continue to take my breath away. And watching my father “play” Santa outside her home melts my heart. Especially when I see even the adults eyes sparkling when they look at him.  I still totally believe it’s really Santa’s boot that sits on on her mantle, and if you know anything about my father or how I’ve grown up…you’ll understand how even as I’ve aged, I just have to believe this is true!

Last year, I returned just after Christmas and spent a few hours photographing every room in her house. I wanted her to be able to physically hold these photographs in her hands and, someday, look back on how magical she’s made this for me (and literally thousands of others who stare through her window) every Christmas season. So, I chose a few of my favorite rooms and wanted to share them here. And while my indoor photography skills don’t hold a candle to how beautiful this is in real life, I hope that, at least, some of these make the ends of your mouth curl upwards…just as they did when you were little.

My trip to Karen’s House always starts my official count-down to Christmas. So it’s on! “Santa’s coming!!!” my father keeps telling me. No really, Santa Dad…I totally believe you!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

And on Wednesday, Happy Birthday Jesus! 😉