The Tree is Trimmed

As is our tradition, we bought our Christmas tree on Saturday (1st Sat. in Dec.). Aaron didn't want a very big one and I wanted one just a little larger than the one he chose. When given a choice between the two, the kids picked mommy's choice. We came home and decorated, which is mostly chaotic because the kids want to help with everything and they aren't quite big enough to help with the lights yet. Once we were ready, we separated our ornaments into piles. As is another of our traditions, each year the kids get to choose their own ornament for the year. It's fun to see the ones they've chosen over the years. (Aaron and I get to chose one for us too.) Then they get to take turns putting on all of their ornaments. This year Karter chose Kung-Fu Panda, Emorie repeatedly insisted on a Winnie the Pooh ornament (we even showed her different W.the P. ornaments and she always chose this particular one.) Rylie is quite funny. We go to the Hallmark shop where they have all the ornaments out on display. She has a hard time picking a few favorites which are usually either a fairy or a dancer. We hadn't remembered her choices for the past few years so once we got all the ornaments out we laughed because the past few years it has always been a fairy.

Afterwards, we wrap the kids' "Santa Claus Boxes" with the paper they chose; another of our traditions. The kids have their own box and Santa leaves their gifts in the box, except maybe one left on top or in front of it.

Final Touch: Hanging our stockings.

Yippee.... we're ready!