...for Christmas!!
Thanksgiving weekend is when the preparation for the holiday usually begins in our house. The tree goes up, ornaments are placed, decorations are put up, presents are wrapped, cookies are made, and the only music you will hear played in our house or vehicles is Christmas music :)
I LOVE IT!
This is the first year in a long time that I was much more prepared for the start of the season. By the time Thanksgiving came, all my presents were bought & wrapped, most of the decorations were hung, and our tree was put up. This actually worked out quite well for the kids sake (and my own sanity!) because when they came over, everything was ready for them to jump right in and do the fun stuff that they enjoy doing and they didn't have to wait around for Jake and I to do the all the necessary stuff (as they try to "help." Which is so kind and thoughtful but anyone with children knows it's not usually nuch of a help!). After one weekend with the kiddos, our house is officially ready for Christmas.
Emma, Abby & Nate did a wonderful job decorating the tree...
And of course, we had to take our family photo for our Christmas card. I always have this grand idea that this is going to be a fun event, and somehow it never really turns out quite that way. Typically it doesn't turn out fun because one person in particular always decides not to cooperate. Hmmm....any guesses who that could be?!
And of course, we had to take our family photo for our Christmas card. I always have this grand idea that this is going to be a fun event, and somehow it never really turns out quite that way. Typically it doesn't turn out fun because one person in particular always decides not to cooperate. Hmmm....any guesses who that could be?!
Yes, Mr. Nathan. This boy can be so sweet sometimes (actually, most of the time) and then he can be the most stubborn little boy at times. No worries, we ended up getting a good picture. Nate's stubborness quickly fades as soon as chocolate brownies enter the scene. Yes, I bribed him. Sometimes that's just the way it has to be!
Later, Nate and Jake worked hard on putting together our new Christmas train set...
A job well done, boys!
While the boys were busy putting together the train, the girls and I were busy baking sugar cookies which were later decorate with frosting & sprinkles...yummy! 
And then last night (at their weekly Tuesday night dinner) Amy, Jake and the kids worked together to make our Advent Chain that will travel back and forth from our house and Amy's for the next 25 days.... 
So, our house is ready for the holidays! Is yours? :)
