It's beginning to look like CHRISTmas!!!

I almost was a Scrooge this year. We first had all the wallpaper stripped, retextured, and painted in the kitchen, breakfast room, and both bathrooms three weeks ago then we had all of our carpet replaced last week. And anyone who knows what preparation needs to take place to have any of that stuff done knows that it is exhausting pain staking clutter cramming. :o) So the thought of dragging the tree down and getting more stuff added to house was a bit overwhelming. However once the carpet was in, I got a burst of energy and we got the stuff down from the attic. Every year we try to get the boys to help do the ornaments but they tend to last for a few and get bored. THIS year my heart melted as they were both so excited and almost did every ornament. Hunter even put both the nativity scenes out and all the candle holders. He lit them all. It felt good to know the things you do every year really do make an impact and they really do notice and enjoy them. The girls are loving the tree. We put ornaments that were not breakable at the bottom because we know they will be irresistible to touch. I couldn't stand to put the baby gates all around it. So far so good. Just keep finding a few ornaments around the house. Some of the traditions our family enjoys is on Christmas Eve after Church the kids get to open two presents and they are always new pajamas and a Christmas story that I have written a letter to them. They also enjoy reading their previous books and the letters. This year we will be staying in Austin and will celebrate with Troy's dad and brother's family on Christmas Day and then Saturday with my mom and sister's family and then Sunday with my Dad and sister's family. We look forward to spending some great time with our families. The things I remember and enjoyed the most growing up is being with my cousins on the holidays. I hope that one day the kids will have fond memories of all our family celebrations!