Deck the Halls. . .

I enjoy decorating for Christmas.  I like to start as early as possible - usually right after Thanksgiving.  This year has been fun. I'm glad I have my entertainment center to decorate.  That's about the only surface room my tiny house has to decorate. (That and the top of the piano) I had to go through my Christmas tubs and pick and choose which decorations to put up.  My whole collection wouldn't fit - so here is some of my favorite. . .

I absolutely LOVE my Santa Pants.  They make me giggle and smile. 

Here's our lovely Christmas Tree.  We had to take out our couch. (Sorry HomeTeachers!) The kids helped with the lights. . . (notice they're a bit "heavy" at the bottom!) We went with a real tree this year.  (it smells good!)  Lamoni and I don't agree with the "tree" issue.  Here's why. . . I love real trees, (and so does Lamoni) but he likes to leave the lights on ALL THE TIME.  Now, I - being the worry Mom - worry about a fire.  So I like to turn the lights off before we go to bed.  So, we play "light tag" all day.  I turn off the lights during the day (they somehow end up on again) and he leaves them on all night.  Oh well, they're pretty - we'll just say our prayers extra good this season!  

Last year we resolved the issue by getting a super nice "Costco" pre-lighted tree.  It is gorgeous and we loved it.  I didn't mind the lights being on around the clock. . . the only problem is it's a 9 foot tree.  Our little house here only has 8 foot ceilings.  So, the beautiful fake tree is in storage.  Sigh. . .

 

I love decorating the tree.  When we were first married, we had a "Purple" tree.  Lots of Purple ornaments because we were married December 15th, and we decorated the reception with lots of Christmas trees.  My colors were Purple and Cream, so we ended up with lots of Purple bulbs.  But through the years, I have filtered out the purple bulbs and replaced them with cute Character ornaments. 

My Mom has this tradition where each year as kids, we got our own ornament.  Then when we are all grown up and move out, we have a few ornaments to decorate our own trees with.  I like this tradition and have applied it to our family also.  So, every year I like to get each person an ornament.  My favorites are the Hallmark ornaments because they seem to capture special events, and popular characters for that specific year.  It helps with memories down the road.  I hope you don't mind, but here are a few of my favorite ornaments on my tree. . .

I got this ornament from my ward in Grants Pass a few years back.  It's filled with sand and seashells.  It has a quote tied to it that says something like, "This year as you decorate your tree, remember the Savior who walked the sands of Galilee"

Yup, it's the "Fragile Leg Lamp" from the movie "A Christmas Story".  It even talks, you push a button and the leg lights up and it says, "A major prize! A major prize! I won I won I won!" and "Oh, you should see it from out here! It's gorgeous!" Yea, that one makes me laugh.

 

Rockerfeller dancers.  I got this ornament when I visited New York City the winter of 2000

 

We just love Spongebob Squarepants. . . especially Patrick!

 

 

This was the ornament I picked for myself this year.  I like Tinkerbell, and this was a cute ornament.

   

This one says, "Baby's first Christmas 2008"  I loved it! Perfect for MaryAlice.

  

 

I fell in love with the movie "Wall-e" this year.

This is a set of 3 ornaments.  It's a nativity scene that says, "Seek Him", "Find Him", and "Praise Him"

and of course, I have some very special handmade ornaments from some very dear friends of mine. . .

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!