Deck the Halls

I wish I could say that I have completed the whole house... but I have not.  In fact, much to my husbands chagrin I am not pulling out anymore Christmas stuff from the boxes in the garage.. I have enough out already.  However, what I still need to do is decorate one more tree and pull out the stuff that is stored in the house in various places!   Stored in the house because the intense heat in the attic would have ill effects upon those items.    But....  I will  share with you what I have done!

The Christmas Blanket.   A number of years ago I made my boys Christmas blankies; they come out during this time.   Chance and I like to snuggle on the couch and read Christmas stories in the glow of the Christmas Tree.

Jordan, our train man,  has laid down the track and aligned the engines and cars.  One side of the tree...

The other side!  And Pooh Bears favorite spot under the Christmas tree.

This Nativity I bought in Bryan, Ohio.  The most money I have ever spent on a Christmas decoration - $100.00.   I remember looking at these and debating on whether to buy them.   I do not spend money like that... but inside I just kept thinking I really like these and this will be a Christmas tradition for years.  These are about 15 inches high and if you add batteries the arms and legs move.   My decorating style has changed in 12 years... these are so not my style anymore!   Because of our trip to Disneyland last year for Christmas Day we did not  put out many Christmas decorations.  A year off had brought me full circle to I do not like!  I had my friend look at the picture while we working Safe Rides last night.   She asked if they were Cabbage patch... no ha, ha, they are some knock off of the precious moments dolls.  I was really thinking that they would be an heirloom.   I can just see my daughter-in-law looking at Jordan going-- "Not in my home!"    What was I thinking?

A Christmas village.  Done!

This was a good surprise.  I must of bought this Santa 2 years ago at after Christmas sales.   He still had the price tag on him.   I really like him!

Jordan's display of trains.

How precious is this picture;  Grandpa Gordon, (Scott's Dad), Jordan and Scott.  Picture taken by Grandma Ellen in Defiance, Ohio and given to us as a gift that Christmas.   The train is a Lionel given to Gordon by Santa when he was a little boy.   It is Scott's heirloom!  A great picture that captures 3 generations and a train that connects them all.

Ornaments on the tree, we have a few!  I decided anymore will tip the tree and this is no small tree.   As we put them on I have this thought that in a month I will be spending a day taking them down and putting them back in their little boxes.   I do not like that job!  But the memories that we talk about as we put them up is a great tradition and bridges all our Christmas together.  Even our first Christmas together ornament-- the two different years we have!  We laugh at the controversy it created.

  Jordan's ornaments are trains.  This is a Lionel ornament.

 

Chance has reindeer (for Chancer, Prancer's twin), Winnie-the-pooh (because that is what we decorate his room in as a baby), and Disney.  He likes these books the most.   They have little cards inside to write a message (hallmark does not do that anymore-- what is the deal)  The message said, "To Chance, because he loves books"  He was 3 years old and we laughed because he still loves books.  Oh does he love books.   Give him a good book (not chapter books, yet!) and it will keep entertained for a long time. 

Scott, he does not get an annual ornament like the kids-- at least from me.   But when I see one that just yells, "Scott" I buy it.   This one had Scott written all over it!  The lamp from "A Christmas Story".   He turns on the TV Christmas morning we watch 24 hours of this classic.   It plays over and over all day.    One time is enough for me.

Our family ornament last year... as I could not resist when I saw this!  Apparently Scott's mom could not either and so we have two!!  But that is okay-- Airstreams are always a collectible.  Like the retro feel with bubble light next to it   Bubble lights-- another tradition.

Our tree in all its glory... snow and all!  This is the top half of a 14' foot tree; we had a vaulted ceiling in Ohio.   This is all that fits-- no room for a star!

That is a little tour of our home... a bit more to come!