'Tis the Season

I'm typically the one who kicks off the season in August, requesting and developing wish lists. Things were different this year. Between getting two kids in school, starting a new job and moving the family, we didn't get started until after Thanksgiving. Not all bad though. We surely lived up the moment of thankfulness in 2011. But come 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving evening, I grabbed my shopping plan, called my girlfriend, and we headed out for 12 hours of Christmas shopping. And, so, Black Friday became the kick off to the season. We slurped a Starbucks, our eyes went cross-eyed, our feet were in pain, but we stuffed the van full of gifts for all!

The next day, our family headed out for the traditional choosing and cutting of the Christmas tree.

This experience dates me back to my childhood, year after year. I remember trudging through the tree farm in snowpants bundled so tightly that I could barely walk, helping mom and dad pick out the BEST tree around, and then feeling like I was really helping to cut down the tree. Now my kids are doing the same thing...

After lugging it back to the car, tying it on top, and driving home wishing I could see it from inside the car, we were always anxious to get it in the house to see if it really would fit. Funny how the same thoughts and excitement run through my little ones as well.

After the dreading task of getting the dumb tree to stand straight in the [insert every cuss word you can think of] stand, we begin the decoration process! As children, the hubby and I each ironically received a Hallmark ornament relating to our interests each year. Today, we have our 31 years of memories, plus the beginning of Cade and Layna's collections as well. It makes for a good story each season, and even a few jokes about Jarin's pink car and cardinal bird ornaments!


This year, during our day of decorating, Odie showed up. He brought with him a book explaining his existance and the mission that Santa charged him with -- to watch over the kiddos each day. The little imaginations ran wild with questions when they found out that Odie has magical powers to fly to the North Pole each night to share his observations.

Then it was on to the outside of the home for a little skill on the ladder! Very proud of my husband for reaching all the peaks. He's such a dare devil! He even wooed the little man by letting him pick out a lit reindeer for the front yard. And for all of you who know my style... you probably also know my thoughts on that!

My task was to design and order the Christmas cards. Okay, so the reality is that the photo was the work of Images by Miss Kate, and the card design was completed with the ease of Shutterly. So maybe I can't take full credit, and neither can I promise that they'll reach all of you in time for the holiday. However, here's a sneak peek just in case!