It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

As soon as Thanksgiving is over, the Christmas decorations come out. It has become quite a smooth operating machine, putting up the decorations that is. Tadd usually hauls all the boxes out from wherever they are while I start unloading and putting up the garland, snowflakes, and decor. And then we put up the Christmas tree together all the while playing Christmas music in the background. This year I was a little antsy and started kind of early while Tadd was at work one day. So most of it was put up before Tadd got involved. BUT, I did wait to put up the Christmas tree as a family and Selah got to help this year.


Selah kept asking to "help" "Selah do it". So as soon as the tree was assembled we let Selah start putting up the ornaments with us, of course that is after the balls were put up. It was a little nerve-wracking for me, all I could see what ornaments breaking or the tree falling down. Extreme I know. Well, Selah did just fine. She loved it and put all of her ornaments right at eye-level of course in a bunch. Tadd teased me and asked if I was going to leave them all done, and of course I had to leave a few there so we could always see that Selah helped :)



And this year, with all that is going on with Christmas parties, caroling, and family gatherings I am vowing to remember the true meaning of Christmas. We are still working on establishing our Christmas traditions as a family, but Selah knows of our Savior's birth and all about Baby Jesus. Along with Christ there is someone else I don't want to forget this year...our precious Laynie, our angel in heaven. We love watching Selah point out her pictures and saying "Laynie" or "sister" "heaven". I cannot wait until we can share her life with Selah and Finn as they get older and we can look at pictures of her and tell them about how we prayed for a baby to come into our lives, and how when everything looked dim Laynie came one miraculous day. How we loved her more than words can say. The love she brought into our lives, the strength she possessed, and the life lessons she taught us. The miracle that she truly was. We can never thank God enough for bringing her into our lives and sharing her with us...we will never forget you Alayna Christine...never!

So, we pray that you will never forget the true meaning this holiday season...the birth of Jesus Christ in a manger that day. (and yes, since this picture was taken, Baby Jesus was found, under the couch once again).

And what else does Christmas mean than sending out the dreaded, I mean exciting Christmas card. Every year I say that I am going to start at the beginning of November to get the picture taken so that I can have it out in decent time, but once again I failed. So, no family picture this year just a picture of the kids. But, that is all that matters, right? So here are a few pics we got in the meantime, the duds :) And soon enough we will be sending out our Christmas card and posting online. Until then, may you enjoy each and every moment of this Christmas season.

What Selah really things of taking pictures.... (you can almost imagine)

And what Finn thinks of all the pictures he has to take....too funny!