It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas...

Our Trees are up and most of them are decorated. We have one large "family" tree that has been a Texas tree since Brad and I got married. Many of the ornaments come from places in Texas and all are "cowboy/western" related. From the very beginning we have topped this tree, not with a star, but with a red cowboy boot. The kids all fight over whose turn it is to put the boot on, and to be honest, I forget from year to year whose turn it really is(shhhh,don't tell the kiddos that).

I have a "favorite" small tree in my kitchen. It is a gingerbread/cookie cutter tree. One of our friends from our Lubbock,Tx days was an avid cookie cutter collector. I loved to look through her treasures each time I visited. As a Christmas gift one year, she started a collection for me. I treasure all of those cookie cutters(several of which are antique). So, I decorate a tree full of cooking/baking treasures and gingerbread men. The kids have a tree on which they place all there "heirloom" ornaments. Each of these ornaments came to them as gifts from Aunts, great Aunts, grandmas and friends. The kids also receive an ornament from St. Nick. Many years ago, my aunt started this tradition with her nieces and nephews. We have all tried to continue this with our own children through the years. On St. Nick's day(which I believe is Dec.6th) the children put out their shoe (wooden clogs in Holland). St Nick brings them a bag full of goodies and leaves it in(or near) the shoe. We have taught the kids about the man Nicholas who traveled throughout Germany and other areas to make sure that all children had special treats during the holiday time. Our goodies consist of one special ornament(that tells or means something special to each child) , an orange or apple, some nuts and candy. My kiddos love this tradition and now have a great start to their own ornament collections when they have homes of their own.

Most of the other decorations are up(not doing too many this year,as we will be traveling to family for the Christmas Holiday). Brad and the boys put lights up on the outside, and that will be the extent of our decorating for this year. We just want to savor the fun times, as it will all be over for another year much too soon.

We do not ever want to forget the most important reason to celebrate and that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Another tradition that the kids like to uphold is our birthday party for Jesus. We celebrate with a cake,praise Him with songs, and enjoy sharing His love. May you all enjoy the sights and sounds of this season, and may you all celebrate the true Reason!