Christmas, Christmas Time is Here!

Like many, I'm caught in those busy last days before Christmas -- still needing to send out cards and wrap all the presents -- but I'm making myself sit down and post some photos of how we've been spending the month. I love Christmas time and this year Philip can really be involved so it's that much more fun.



Philip and Matthew secure the tree.


Philip puts on the first ornament.



Philip decorates the storm door with stick-on snowflakes.



It looks beautiful!




Aside from decorating the house, we've been on the go a good bit too. Last year being Philip's first Christmas, I had to get his photo with Santa made. They turned out cute but not something we'll do every year -- especially at $25! However, I did ask him if he'd like to talk to Santa this year. (If he's going to receive a present from Santa on Christmas morning, he should know who he is, right?) Well, we've now talked to Santa twice in the last two weeks. Each time I've gone, I thought we'd just walk beside where Santa was sitting and wave. Low and behold, there's been no line for Santa and there's no need for him just to sit there looking lonely. Philip happily sat on his knee both times but didn't really say much. Santa asked if he wanted cars and trains and Philip said yes. Santa could have asked anything and Philip would probably have said yes!

Anyway, Philip is also learning that Santa is not the most important part of Christmas. We are telling him the Bible story every few days and looking at the pictures in his story Bible. He also sat with us for our adult choir and children's choir musicals the last two Sunday nights. He enjoyed both: watching baby Jesus welcome the Wise Men during the adult cantata and trying to mimic the hand motions of the children's program. We also visited a local church's drive-thru nativity scene (complete Bible story re-enactment with goats, sheep, and even a camel!) for the second year. I hope to make it a yearly family tradition.

Here is a photo of the completed tree and other livingroom decorations.