{Trimming the Tree and Decking the Halls}

Oh how I love Christmas!

The magic, the wonder... and seeing it through my babies eyes makes it all the more special.
This year we trimmed our tree the saturday after Thanksgiving. I think our week of painting had us all a bit worn out.

I have to admit, at first we had less then admirable enthusiasm from the girlies in the house. After Daddy and I played Christmas Sherpa (love that line Sloan!) we were left with a house of... "hold on....let me read this book real quick", "when can we play with our friends?" and "how much longer till we're done?"

Goodness, I have to say that did break my heart a little! Where was the enthusiasm? The Christmas cheer? I guess it didn't help that it was 58 degrees outside and most of their friends were out back!
But finally after putting on the Christmas music and breaking out the candy canes (ok and maybe a wee bit of mommy guilt giving on my part!) we got started and into the spirit of things.

i do not know what was up with me and my camera that day...the color is WAY off

this year it was riley's turn to put the star on.

after janey carried it in on her magical pillow!:)



tired baby??:)

i love all of our ornaments.

especially our baby ones that always hang side by side.

our 2011 Christmas Tree

in all it's homey glory

and we were all smiling at the end!

...almost...

want a Christmas laugh?

here are the out takes for that above shot

most of holiday decorations are the same from last year.

we did add a few changes that i am very excited about...

we usually always put our Christmas village on the mantle

but this year i really wanted something different.

i got the inspiration from my mom.

we added fresh greens and some of our favorite Santas.

i just love it!

the only thing i had to buy was the burlap tree on the left.

i think it adds the perfect touch.

i bought a box of lights to add to the wreath.

i think that will really make it sparkle at night.

we moved the village to the landing on the way to the basement.

the girls have loved playing with the figurines and making up stories about who lives where.:)

i filled the rest of the area with Christmas art i have saved over the years.

we painted these ornaments together a few days ago as part of our advent activities.

simple and easy and everyone had fun.

i can't wait to fill this space with even more homemade treasures.

janey arranged our remaining Santas on the shelf near the kitchen table

and riley was in charge of the snowmen.



our Nativity is in the living room.

aubrey has her own fisher price one to play with too.

funny story...the other day she said..."where's baby Jesus Moses???"

i think she was getting her bible stories a bit confused:)



our advent area is finally complete!!

well...almost...i need a few more snowflakes...but close enough!

{i found those for a $1 for a pack of 4 at target!!}

i love love love my yarn wrapped letters

the night i started making them i was jumping around the house singing about how much i loved these silly little letters! everyone thought i was nuts but they were right there with me thinking of other things we could spell out and wrap with yarn.!!

janey wants "dream" in her room and riley is still thinking....

i think somewhere inside of me is a crafter just dieing to get out.

i loved sitting there on the sofa by the fire with my yarn at night....weird i know!:)

printing all the old pictures was so much fun.

the girls love looking at them all.

some of them are starting to curl up a bit...sticky tack to the rescue i am thinking.

so there you have it...our home all trimmed and decked for the holidays.

is your home decorated yet or still a work in progress?

i feel like most of my projects are like 95% completed...

like the snowflakes i still need and the Christmas bunting i still have to make.

that incomplete feeling can really drive me crazy and sneak in and steal my joy rather quickly!

i am trying to keep it in perspective, keep smiling and know that there's always next year!:)

{thankful for}

1. flannel sheets

2. creative ideas that make me happy

3. a hubby who works so hard

4. candy canes

5. early morning hugs

have a happy day,

cindy