Festive in the Making

I'm not much of a holiday decorator. It's just never been too high up on my priority list, I guess! BUT... this year it's different! Maybe it's because we are actually going to be here Christmas morning... or maybe it's because kids add a whole new level of excitement to the holidays, but whatever it is... I couldn't WAIT to decorate this year!!!!

I know, I know... I must be losing some of my "Americanness" to decorate BEFORE Thanksgiving - but, what's a girl to do, eh!?

I started getting Alia all pumped up a couple days prior and when Friday morning hit... we were all primed and ready to assemble, wrap, hang, drape, light, and admire!

First things first - the tree!

Now, I can't say too much on this subject... because I've never had a live tree... but I am ALL FOR a FAKE one!! No mess, no watering, no pokey needles, no discard.

Hmmm, fake or real... that is the question?!

OH YEAH... no doubt, we've got a live one here folks!

And really... assembling the tree is half the fun, right?!


Larren "helped" where she could!

But the real fun began when the lights made their appearance!

That's pure wonder there!!

Ever the curious one... she has to figure out how these things work! (She IS her daddy's offspring after all!)

Once Larren was napping the glitz began. Alia did this branch... can ya tell?!?!?!

All decked out and ready for the night life!






The glittery ornaments were BY FAR Alia's favorite!

Cuz... when you rub your hands on them...

... you get pretties!

And you can put them on your pants, your feet...

... or wherever you're needing some extra bling!

And if you just barely graze the tree, like this, as you walk by... Mommy won't even notice! :)


A few of our other little holiday touches...






Even "Oscar" gets to join in the holiday spirit... and yes, that's 6.9 degrees folks! Not to be confused with SIXTY NINE! (Farenheit - I don't switch to Celcius until we hit the negative numbers... which has been happening a bit over the last day or so!)


When Larren woke up she was quite pleased with the tree progress!




Just look at this... the decorations have only been up for an hour and already love is in the air! Alia just couldn't keep from hugging her BFF!


Once everything was in it's place, Alia quietly made her way back to the tree... and layed down to admire her handy work!





She would have napped there all afternoon, had I let her!

We saved the most important decorations to put up with Daddy... my favorite!

And with each piece we explained the Christmas story to Alia...

She thinks it is just SO COOL that we're celebrating Jesus birthday!


And I think it is just SO COOL that we get to experience this special time with our kids... teaching them the true meaning of Christmas and sharing in their joy, excitement, anticipation, and delight!

My cup runneth over!