It has been fun decorating the house for Christmas... There are so many things that I can put out now that the kids are older and won't break them. I have finally found a great home for my Nativity set. My Grandma Schultz gave me the wooden manger scene which she brought back from a trip to Jerusalem, and she and my aunts Carol & Pam gave me many of the figurines for my wedding. They are by Fontanini. My mom and I years ago found some more figurines and little accessories like tents & trees, jars and tools on sale at a cute shop. It is like dollhouse for big girls. With Jesus in it ;) I am able to set it all up this year on top of the bookcase in our livingroom -- up high enough to keep little hands off.
I found this cute santa's sleigh ornament at a boutique this year & couldn't resist hanging it from a hook on the ceiling! He is supposed to be flying after all...
The boys loved helping us set up the tree and hanging ornaments. I loved telling them where our most precious ornaments came from... family & friends, and our own travels. A silver bell with Noah 2003 on it from his Great Grandma Fels, an angel from my Grandma Schultz, many special ornaments from my mom, Snow Babies from my aunt Pam - one for each of my babies, unique glass ornaments for the kids every year from my besties Angie & Jenni, and many fun memories come back when we see the ones we've picked up on trips - the White House, the Las Vegas sign, a wooden carved Santa from Italy, a boat & bouy from Oregon this year. We love them all! I learned at a Pottery Barn decorating class that we have a "hodgepodge tree", I think it's more like a sentimental tree...
