Decking the Halls

After all of the birthday madness, it was time for...Christmas madness!  Christian and I went out and picked out our tree (he was a very good and opinionated helper!).  And, after the tradition lights debacle (no matter what I do, one strand always refuses to light up...even if it's brand new), we were ready to put on the ornaments!   

 I love bringing out our ornaments.  Each one is special, many have stories behind them.  It's like a trip down Memory Lane.  The children all had fun "helping" to hang their ornaments. We danced to Christmas music.  Kari had on her Christmas tights.  We were very festive.

 Christian kept working hard at hanging until the last ornament was hung and, appropriately, he was allowed to hang the Christmas star.

 We also were very busy bakers this season!  Christian and Kari were huge helpers with the peanut butter blossoms, unwrapping all of the hersey kisses!

 The kids all painted magnets to give to select family members...

 Christian got very painty--ears and all.

 Finally, on Christmas Eve day, we frosted cut-out cookies. 

 They took their frosting duties very seriously, indeed.

 Kari, contemplating what color to paint her gingerbread man.  Not-suprisingly, she chose pink.

 Christian, enjoyed eating the frosting more than putting it on the cookies.

 And, Emily's cookies were very thought out and there was not a sprinkle in sight on hers.

And where was Juliana during these festvities??  Well, she was awake during the ornament hanging, but otherwise, she felt like playing the role of "Sleeping Beauty."

Happy Holidays!