Trimming the Tree

In keeping with our family tradition, we took advantage of the girls having the day after Thanksgiving off of school to decorate the tree. I love Christmas, I love Christmas trees, I love having the house decorated and feeling warm, I love holiday baking, I love holiday entertaining. I really just love this time of year. So the earlier the start the better . . . though I do make myself wait until we have properly celebrated Thanksgiving first.

Our tree is nothing spectacular. It's not trendy, or gorgeous, or going to be featured on the cover of Martha Stewart, but to me it is perfect, it is our family, and it represents so much, and so many memories. Our tree is filled with ornaments from my childhood . . . my first Christmas ornament, the start I made from clay in Kindergarten, the ornaments my mom added to my collection each year of my childhood. When we got married my mom boxed up all the ornaments and sent them to us, where they adorned our first tree. And then we started adding to our tree. The star tree topper, the seals in a box that say first Christmas together, the tiny bells we purchased in East Timor, the ornaments marking each of our daughters' first Christmas, the beautiful clay fish ornaments from Barbados. Each year we add to our tree and we enjoy the special memories each ornament represents as we put it on this year. When Emily was two, and going through a Dora phase we chose the Dora ornament for her. When Hannah turned two it was her favorite, and this year it was the object of Maddie's affection. I love the memories that each of these special ornaments holds. So though it might lack in sophistication, each year I treasure the memories that we celebrate when we decorate our tree.

This has to be one of the goofiest family pictures ever. First there is Emily and Tyler, looking identically goofy. . . must be in the genes. Then there is Maddie with her necklace and one shoe, very classy. Then there is me, feeling sick and pregnant. Then there is Hannah who looks a bit like she has to pee. Seriously awesome, each and every one.