The Reason for the Season

I've spent much of my free time lately decking the halls and SHOPPING. I really love online shopping...no muss, no fuss, NO CROWDS! I've had some fun decorating our new home for the holidays. Here are some pictures of my handiwork...

The Basement: I put up my little Rudolph Village in the Basement and tried to make it FuN for the girls.

I like levels in my village displays, so I wrapped some packages and put them under the houses.

I decorated a big tree to coordinate with the village and actually allowed my girls to help with the decorating!! Yes, I'm kind of a control freak with any sort of decorating...it's mean huh? They used to have a tiny, little tree to put all of their Care Bear, Strawberry Shortcake, (etc.) and homemade ornaments on. They were thrilled to have a big tree all to themselves.

They like it all lit up and want Santa to ignore my tree upstairs.

I wrapped the girls doors to look like gifts. Abby thinks it's really funny...

But the most important part of our decorating downstairs was the Nativity. We all love what it reminds us of and it is the most favorite decoration of them all...

Upstairs: Our traditional tree that we've just added to since the beginning of our marriage has a Santa theme. Every ornament has sentimental value to me. I can tell you where I got it or who gave it to me. I love this tree because of this reason. All of my other decor consists of either my mom's cast aways, or things that have been given to me.

My mantle features my mom's old cast away greenery, and the gorgeous, handmade Santa atop my cabinet is just a little something my mother-in-law has made for each of her children.

You deserve a better look at our Father Christmas, my mother-in-law is seriously talented. She even made all of his clothes! She teaches people how to make porcelain dolls and sometimes even makes them for you if the price is right!!

It's kind of hard to really want to celebrate anything this year, but remembering the Savior is key ~ and that is what really counts. We are making memories and starting new traditions, and enjoying family. We hope the same for all of you...Merry Christmas a little early.

It's late and I should be in bed...but I have to preview my next post. Yep, got it all planned :). If you need a fun family activity for FHE, go visit my mother-in-law. She has the ENTIRE (well, minus one piece) Dept. 56 North Pole Village collection and displays it each year for ALL to see! It is amazingly cute! She has a guest book and usually even a candy cane for the kiddos. Let me know if you want to set up an appointment. Here is a sneak peak: