Our 2009 Christmas Story

Our Christmas started off a bit "drab". We weren't sure that we were going to get a tree this year because we had other things that seemed more important to be spending our money on. I wasn't sure how we'd survive Christmas without a tree....BUT....The first week of December there was a contest on the radio and whomever could call in and sing all 12 Days of Christmas on the air without making any mistakes won a 7 foot tree!! You guessed it....we WON! That really boosted our Christmas Spirit so out came all of the decorations! Here's a picture of our tree, and most likely the most beautiful tree we'll ever get! A 7 foot Douglas Fir!

Here are some pictures of our decorations...starting with our nativity set

I have a snowman collection. Each year, when I pull them out, it feels as if an old friend is visiting for a cup of coffee. I love each one equally, as if they all have their own little personalities and can't wait to tell me about the last year spent inside that box with all the others. Because I have mobile little fingers (Isaac) they had to all be put in one place this year. I emptied my entire hutch to fit them all!

Top Shelf:

Middle Shelf:

Bottom Shelf:

Its so bad that I even have rugs and pillows. I even have snowman bedsheets that aren't pictured here. :)

My new 2009 Snowman!

I even have Isaac as a snowman thanks to Mari!

Ornaments are like snowmen, too. Each ornament that comes out of the box has its own story and memory. I have ornaments from my childhood, some that were my dad's, or my mom's, from Dan's tree growing up, and some new ones from special times in our lives together. Its so fun to pull each one out and talk about the meaning behind it, or just laugh at where it came from or remember who gave it to us.

Another favorite Christmas "thing" we do is take blue painter's tape and put up all our holiday cards on an open wall. This way we get to see them all and its so festive! We feel like all of our loved ones are with us all the time! (If you don't see your card in the picture there are two options: Either yours hadn't come yet when I took this, or you didn't send us one!)
Christmas Eve night we went to our church for an evening service. My mom came with us and after the service we drove around and looked at Christmas lights. We had to work on Christmas Eve this year so that was enough for us and we went to bed early!

I highly suggest moving your furniture on Christmas morning if your tree isn't in the living room. It was so nice to sit around the tree in the morning and relax!

We didn't expect that Isaac would truly understand the gift exchange, being that he's still a little young. WE WERE WRONG! Once he pulled the first piece of tissue paper he realized that there was something underneath it for him. I'm sorry to report that there aren't many pictures, because once he got going, things went fast and I could barely keep up! One thing is for sure: He was just as happy with a pair of sweats or a pair of socks as he was with his new toys. I pray he's always that way!

The first one.

His first Tonka truck.Spending the day playing with new toys.

This look says, "put the camera down and push me already".

And just like that its all over! I put the decorations away this morning and said goodbye to all my little snowman. I made sure they were nice and cozy for the year tucked away in rubbermaid bins. I think about December fondly and think that we'll always talk about this Christmas as one of our best, thanks to winning the tree, and (did I forget to mention?) the fact that Isaac slept through the night 3 nights in a row! We had many Christmas Miracles this year...from trees, to sleep, to gifts, to free vacuums, ..... it was all a blessing. The End.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!