Deck the Halls

We sure had fun decorating our "halls" this year. We inherited this beautiful artificial tree from Bart's parents. It is quite lovely, but I'll admit I am still lamenting the loss of the real tree. I have such vivid memories of going to get our tree when we were little and I want that for my kids. But I just couldn't argue with such a beautiful free tree this year. It was Anna's year to put the star on the tree, but to compromise with her saddened older brother, she just got to do it first and Jacob got to do it afterwards. Anna is wearing her leotard for no reason, but I actually think it makes the picture that much cuter. I had never put ribbon on our tree either, but I think for a rookie it turned out quite nice. We spent a lot of time decorating everywhere in the house. It is hard to do it for the first time in a new house, but the challenge makes it fun too. My kids put all the ornaments on and then it took me about an hour to spread them out a little more. The final product turned out great, but it was more fun watching them get so excited and watching them hang the ornaments on the tree.

While my parents were here I enlisted my Dad's help to finish up Rachel's stocking. He is the one that started the tradition of homemade stockings years ago, after all. I was having a hard time trying to think of things to put on it and how to make them look cute. Thank goodness my Dad arrived in time to save me from my own lack of creativity. Grandpa is truly the best at putting together the stockings. I wish everyone could have seen my Dad with the felt, the tweezers, and the glue. He made a Rudolph, Santa's sleigh, and the cutest angel you have ever seen. He has now officially helped me with ALL of my kids stockings. I love that I will be able to tell him that. My Mom helped sew on the bell and tag thing to hang it with and Bart's Mom helped me to actually sew it together. I was very proud of my letters, Christmas tree, and ballet slippers that complete her stocking. Here is the final product:

The angel (on her side)

The ballet shoes I made

The whole thing put together

And now we can finally say,
Their stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

My new garland on the stairs

The Nativity Scene and other stuff

For our last Christmas decoration, Jacob came home from school with this adorable gingerbread house. The first thing he said was, "Mom, make sure you take a picture of it." He has asked me 3 additional times to make sure we have his talent documented. That and I think he is ready to eat it. He loves the door he made (below) with the red M&M doorknob. What a creative boy!