Decorating Fun

We finally got the time and organization to go get a tree on Saturday. Unfortunately there are not any Boy Scout troops who sell trees nearby. Therefore we went to the local garden center and picked out a nice frasier fir. Erin and Jeffrey both came along for the trip. Erin tromped around the lot while Tom, Jeffrey and I picked out a tree.

When we got home, we set up the tree and let it stand for a while before decorating it. Jeffrey laid down for a nap and Tom and Erin baked Christmas cookies. It was quite a cute sight, Erin and Tom both dusted in flour cutting out cookies on the counter. I piddled around putting little decorations here and there. After the cookies cooled, Erin and I frosted them with pink icing. In a combined effort we managed to get MOST of the frosting on the cookies rather than Erin's clothes, hair, hands, the counter or the like. Erin did discover quickly though that any frosting that got onto her fingers was perfectly fine because she was able to eat it then. I even caught her licking the spreader at one point. Like mother like daughter I guess.

Once Jeffrey woke up we got the lights on the tree and began to put up our hodge-podge of decorations. Erin picked out the Pooh Bear ones as her special ones this year. And as usual she tried to hang all the ornaments from one branch. We have the perfect spot for the angel and Erin helped Tom put her on the top of the tree. Erin now walks by the tree and looks at the top, saying "so pretty."

This morning we went into church. I took Erin and Jeffrey to the nursery to give Jeffrey a test run to see how things might go if we decide to start leaving him there. After church one member took professional photos for the church fellowship list. It was the first professional photo of the four of us and may actually be the only photo of the family aside from a few at the Katie's wedding.

Both the kids looked so cute this morning that I did my own photo shoot when we got back home. I set them both down in front of the tree and Erin put her arms around Jeffrey to "hold him." It's good to see that she is still infatuated with him as he grows older - even though he now is very interested in all of her toys. The photos in front of the tree came out adorable. At least I think they did.

I'm expecting the tree to bring much joy and excitement as Erin realizes that something special is going to happen soon. It will also add another level of drama to Jeffrey's life serving as another item for him to crawl under, pull on, chew on etc...

So as we continue to count down the days to Christmas (even though Erin already Lost Baby Jesus and Mary from the advent calendar) we will all try to sit back and relax, say a few prayers and remember what Christmas is really about.