Christmas Touches Part 2- Plus 2 Printables!

 

We went and picked out our family tree on Saturday morning.  I have such wonderful memories of decorating my tree as a little girl and looking through all the ornaments that spark memories and tell stories.  I remember the first time I went to Pete’s house for Christmas and I got to hang the “pear” in the tree and see all the ornaments that were so meaningful to his family.  It makes me so happy that our kids enjoy decorating our tree too.

The kids were so excited to get the tree and start going through all the ornaments and start decorating.  In years past we have done everything from cutting down trees, visiting a farm with real, live reindeer and bought cut trees from the Boys Club (our first Christmas at our first house in Wilmington).  This year, we waited a little too long, so we went to Richardson’s and picked out this beauty.  After I wrestled with the lights on the tree, we were all set to go.

 

My parents gifted me their outdoor tree.  We put it on the deck- the area behind us is wooded, but in wintertime, you can see the lights from the road.  We can also see it from the kitchen too!  Snow too- how perfect a picture!

 

We have 2 deer that live in the woods behind our house.  Our little chihuahua, Sage, chases them out of the woods on a daily basis and enjoys it very much!  I have a little of a deer obsession going on in the house right now…

 

One thing that I love to do with the kids is make something with their handprints.  We made the cardinals last year and I’m hoping to make something this year too.  The kids made those trees in preschool and they are in frames from Ikea.  I usually have 3 photographs of the kids there, but I switch them out for the trees for Christmas.  I always try to make little crafts with handprints with my 1st graders too- those little hands grow big way too fast!

 

And then there is Mommom’s ceramic tree.  She gave this to me for my first Christmas.

 

Some more pictures from around the house…

My Aunt Liz gave this set to me when I was a little girl.  The kids enjoy setting it up and I let them use their “creativity” in designing the scene- notice Joseph is under the roof “in case it rains” and Baby Jesus is turned over until Christmas Eve in following my husband’s tradition.

 

Here are 2 Christmas printables for you to use as you wish in your home-

Silent night– This is in a frame on the mantle.

Twas the night before Christmas– This is in a frame on the countertop in the kitchen.

 

We have a busy week ahead- 4 days of school- band concert, cookie baking, train ride with Santa and lots of Christmas wrapping and family time.

Wishing you all a wonderful season with your family- no matter who you consider your family or where you are- in all the craziness and madness, it is truly a magical time.  I have to remind myself that several times a day on a daily basis.  Patience is thin, bank accounts are drained and there is never enough time. But this is a quote that I just love “Enjoy the little things, because one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things”.

If you told me a year ago that I would have a blog right now I would have laughed in disbelief.  I’m so excited and happy with where I am right now and so happy to be sharing it with you!  I’m looking forward to 2018!