To Trim A Tree

 Our little family finally got around to trimming our tree this week.  It's always a time when we put on our favorite Christmas music, bake cookies, and decorate of course!  It's hard not to be nostalgic when sifting through all of the hand made ornaments the kiddos have made over the years.  It really puts into perspective just how quickly time goes by.  Once upon a time, this guy was making hand print ornaments and now he's half way through his last year of middle school.  How did that happen?

Payton takes the job of decorating the tree very seriously and she is very helpful.  She loves helping Jason get the tree up and fluffed.  Putting the skirt on the tree is her special job each year.  She also loves making sure the ornaments get properly distributed.

A little blurry, but the littlest ladies always love trimming out the tree.  This year, they were my kitchen help with the cookies.  Karsyn really impressed us with her hand-eye coordination with the way she so easily put hooks on the ornaments.  Addi always cracks us up by the way she sings along with the Christmas songs just a little too loud.

Here's the finished product!  The kiddos did a great job!  This year, our tree has a very special star.  Last year before we knew Grandma was sick, she gave me the star that Grandpa and she always put on top of their big Christmas tree. Growing up, our family had one that was identical.  At the time, I didn't fully realize the value of the gift Grandma was giving me or just how much it would mean to me.  When Jason put it on our tree, I couldn't help but tear up.  I miss Grandma and have been looking for ways to honor her this Christmas season.  Having their star in her favorite color on top of our tree is just one of many ways she'll be a part of our holidays.

When the tree was trimmed, we started a new tradition.  Jason and I passed out advent calendars to the kiddos.  They are loving eating a piece of chocolate each night as we count down to Christmas.

Now it's time to get all the presents bought and wrap to put under the tree.