Deck the Halls!

What a blessing it has been being home with my boys this holiday season. It is amazing how this time of year can be even more magical when you have young children.  I have enjoyed watching Max's face light up with each new/different Christmas tradition or event we have taken him too. I can't wait for Leo to experience this next year!

Putting up the Christmas tree has always been a fun event for my family. Clint and I started putting up our tree the day or weekend after Thanksgiving for awhile now, and this year Max was a big help! He loved to look at each ornament and helped put them on the tree. He is also extremely impressed with all of the lights. No joke, he thanks me each morning as he is coming down the stairs for all of the "pretty decorations" and "beautiful Christmas tree." It is so cute and it makes me want to do even more next year.

I love collecting ornaments and remembering the people who gave them to us or places that we have gone. Clint's dad has been making ornaments each year for Max and now Leo. This year he made a drum set with drumsticks. It is such a neat tradition & they will be something special the boys will have when they start putting up their own trees. 

I have been explaining to Max that Christmas is a worldwide celebration of Jesus' birthday. He was pretty excited about it, so I think it will be fun to read the Christmas story and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. 

We ordered stockings this year from Pottery Barn. I like the red and white velvet. 

Last year my grandma gave me part of her Snow Village. My siblings and I always enjoyed looking at it each year at her house. She had so many different pieces from years of collecting. I think it would be ne to go up to Frankenmouth, MI every couple of years and continue the collection. 

I found these Santa plates this year & thought Max would like them. I wanted to find a red and white striped runner like an idea I found on Pinterest, but couldn't. If I ever decide to do a fun dinner party I might try to make one. 

Max had a good time putting up these decals. He likes to take them off and put them on the floor...

Max's tree!

We also got an Elf on the Shelf doll this year. Max decided to name him, Joe, lol. I have no idea where he got that name. Haha-- it has been fun hiding him around the house. Max loves waking up each morning to look for him. 

This was when he first saw our Elf. 

Clint also hung up some lights outside this year. They look great! Eventually the boys and I will try to persuade him to create a musical light show, hehe.