Deck The Hall

Cora found out that Aunt Natalie put her tree November 1st.  Every day she has been asking if we can decorate.  Tradition is we decorate the first Saturday in December and I held strong to that.  They were so excited to get that done.

We left some room for Dave to put up his nutcrackers.

 We decided what to get our friends/neighbors/teachers.

I really wanted to hang these Merry Christmas stockings in the background of our Christmas photo.  Dave didn't think we would be able to see it. He was probably right.

I think I need a bigger place to set out my Little People Nativity.  The inn keeper and the well are over on the TV.  I don't know who arranged this this time.  The kids play with it every day.  But I love how they are all centered around Jesus.  As it should be.

Last week we went through the kid's toys/books/movies/clothes and donated them to charity.  We also went to the store and picked out a few toys for Toys for Tot and dropped them off.  Tonight I have the FHE lesson and I am going to do something about giving part of our 'self' to become more giving like an 'elf' (See I gave away the s)  I haven't quite figured it out yet.  Then we are going to get sibling gifts and we are pretty much done.  We have really really scaled back Christmas this year and I am loving it.  The kids have really been thinking about what to get others.  We also need a tree then we are set. And all the Christmas parties begin this weekend.