Thursday, November 30, 2006

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like . . .

Christmas!!!





(Warning--I am IN LOVE with the pictures in this post today! And I love Gary's camera for being able to take pics like these! I can already imagine these on some scrapbook pages! Okay . . . on with the story!)

Whether I'm really ready for it or not (Did the holiday season get here quicker than usual, or am I just getting old and time really does go faster with each year?), it's time for Christmas! Time for shopping, time for parties, time for the kids' Christmas play at church, time for Advent, time for seeing the lights crop up on neighborhood houses, time for hot chocolate, time for music non-stop on the radio, time for Christmas goodies . . . and time to decorate the house!

Gary has won his battle with the Christmas Light Gremlins (they apparently take all the working lights out of our strings during the year while they're packed up, and then he has to go buy new ones!) and he and Delaney got the tree up both Monday night and last night.

In our house, we have a lot of special holiday traditions (going on a search for the perfect live tree, celebrating Advent at home, our different gift giving traditions)--and I look forward to sharing them all with you within the next month--but the first we're doing here is getting the house all dressed up in its Holiday Attire.





It starts with the artificial tree (we put an artificial tree up in our living room, and then later go get a live tree to go in our den). We decorate it with specific ornaments (this tree includes our more "formal" ornaments that are fancier, most of them silver or gold or otherwise "glittery"), and then I decorate the living room and the rest of our upstairs with different decorations. Our main nativity set on the fireplace mantel . . . other nativity sets on the dining room table . . . greenery and red bows up up the stairway bannister . . . my snow man collection on side tables in the living room . . . and then my nutcracker collection upstairs.








Even though it was late (we let the kids stay up WAY past their bedtime to do it), it was so much fun having our special tree decorating night. All of the girls really got into the spirit of things and, surprisingly, there was no fussing last night among them. The worst problem was trying to get Sydney to keep her hands off of everything, and trying to remember who put the angel on top of the tree last year (McKenna and Delaney take turns each year).









It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,

everywhere you go . . .

28 comments:

Phats said...

hi!
Your tree looks great. I love christmas!!!

It does seem like it arrived quicker this year. I need to start my shopping. When does Gary want me to give him my list??

Anonymous said...

It IS beginning to look a lot like Christmas....love your pictures, there is so much warmth in them.

Jeff said...

Can you guys come decorate our aparatment? Well done!

~Telah said...

Love your tree! Love that song too!

Cheryl Wray said...

Hey Phats--I just gave him my wish list. Another couple of things to add couldn't hurt . . . lol
Ronalyn--I felt like I was late getting my stuff up. Everywhere I went already had trees and lights and everything! (Good to hear from you!!)
Jane--Thanks! I love that "warm glow" in them too!
Jeff--You bet!! I've always wanted to come to NYC for the holidays!!
Telah--Thanks! I love Relient K too!

Linda said...

oooooooo aaaaahh sooo pretty Cheryl!!
It is looking like Christmas everywhere. Your pics will put anyone in the Christmas mood. :)

CyndiAKADisneyqueen said...

Christmas....can you belive its only a few weeks away ? Everything looks beautiful....makes me realize I need to get my butt in gear and finish cleaning house so I can decorate. By the way my daughter likes the song.

Crazy Working Mom said...

Beautiful Pictures! : )

I love your blog. Thanks for stopping by mine.

Merry Christmas!!!

Unknown said...

Love it!!! It looks fabulous. Can't wait to move in my new house and put my tree up. DAna

Anonymous said...

Great pics. I love em!

Nancy said...

Great Pictures! I haven't started the decorating yet but I am organizing so it will be soon! The children look like they are really enjoying themselves and that is a blessing indeed.

Unknown said...

I love the pics you chose to post...

Cheryl Wray said...

Beady--Thanks! I LOVE getting all the decorations out!
DS--I know, I can't believe it's so SOON! Lots to do . . .
Tish--Thanks! Come back anytime!!
Dana--That will be one of the BEST new things about a new house. All the fun decorating!!
Nancy--Organizing it is a big part of it. Maybe I should try that sometime!
G--You took most of em!

Anonymous said...

Wow, beautiful (and cute)! (Eeeks, I'm so behind!)

Greta Adams said...

i guess scrooge here needs to get on the ball....i just don't know what my problem is...i LOVE xmas...fav holiday but i am still not feeling it this year...i don't know why

Mz.Elle said...

Everything is so beautiful!
I love your nutcrackers:)

Andy said...

love the pics. they look great. and i'm in a better mood today. :)

Melissa said...

gorgeous photos! love your tree and cant wait to see all your Christmas traditions on your blog. :)

Jenn said...

WOW...your decorations are so pretty!! Love the snowman and looks like the kiddos had so much fun!! They are TRUELY adorable!!

Lara Neves said...

Beautiful pictures!! I love decorating for Christmas!

Josie said...

Oh - it all looks fabulous! I love this time of year! I'm so glad I found your blog!

Lynilu said...

Wonderful pictures! We decorated the tree today, and I'm playing with the camera for effects. I'm still learning the settings, but I'm having a lot of fun while creating some pictoral memories. Don'cha just love the seaons?

Anonymous said...

And at night when everyone's asleep the snowmen and the nutcrackers come to life and it's an all out war. Swords are drawn and snowballs fly....I'm rooting for the nutcrackers. LOL!!

Renee said...

What a beautiful Christmas setup you have there. And beautiful kids too.

Mermaid Melanie said...

wonderful pics! I love christmas trees. The house smells wonderful here, mine is up! :wink"

thanks for sharing yours.

Crazy Working Mom said...

tishblack.blogspot.com has tagged you for a Christmas Song Meme : )

Have fun.

Redhead Editor said...

Wish I could have been there to help decorate the tree. At least it would have been warm where you are. (I would not have needed to be on Gary's shoulders even though I am short.)

AngelConradie said...

oh my- what beautiful pictures cheryl!