You Know It's Christmas Time When...

After much pleading on Sydney's part, I lugged out the plastic tupperware boxes from the bottom of the hall closet on Thursday. I was hoping to delay this activity until December, but I couldn't say no the innocent pleasure that was bubbling out of her. I too, love this holiday season, but dread having the "KIDS" help me decorate. They are all so excited to see their stockings and play with their plastic nativity set that it can be a mad-house. Inevitably, after the chaos has settled down and the kids are in bed, I find myself placing most of the decorations in different spots and then realizing we have already lost "Mary". Ahhh... (deep breath) ...I love the holidays!

So here are a few of my favorite Christmas decorations. I only have a handful of them. Moving 5 times times in our 6 1/2 years of marriage has helped me keep only the absolute best.

This is a great little advent calender that my sister-in-law, Kaissa, gave me a few years ago. I just love how original it is! Hanging little stockings on Santa's Sleigh... perfect-o!

I happened to make this at one of my first "married-ward" Relief Society Enrichments, so it's got a little sentimental value. It is supposed to cover the front of a fire place. Until I move up in the world, it will continue to decorate my front door step!

This "Mint Wreath" is truly an original Rachel design. With a little ingenuity, a spare wreath and candy on sale at the grocery store...whalaa...a splendid, one of a kind front door show stopper. And I'm pleased to say it has lasted 3 years. (way to go hot glue!)

This week the kids holiday craft was putting together angels from all over the world. I was pleased to find something so ethnically diverse. It was nice to have a reason to talk with the girls about everyone going to heaven and that we all have different skin colors, hair color, etc. Although the funniest part of the evening was watching Emma grab the glue out of Larry's hand so she could do everything herself. Sydney also enjoyed putting unhappy faces on a few of her angels because "they were angry". (I hope we don't get struck by lightening for that one)