Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree~

They both were so proud of the tree

Bella couldn't even barely finish putting one bulb on before she'd go and grab another.

Parker on the other hand had fun taking them off and throwing the BALLS~~

But when dad stepped in it was great. She wanted up every time..plus it helped so that not every bulb and ornament were on the bottom. Almost all of them are but we thought hey the tree is for them so let's keep it the way they decorated it.

And I know it will keep on changing with the 2 of them around:)

Parker giving daddy an ornament.

Ok, so some may think I am crazy because it's only Nov. 17th and we already have our tree up with presents wrapped under it. But it's such a great feeling though.

I love this time of year. A time of giving, love, faith, family, friends,

Christ's Birth and so much more. It's a time to ponder and think of our many blessings that we have. A time to be thankful and a time to be with those we love and care for. It's such a warm and peaceful time, even when it's cold outside!

I love creating new traditions with our family. I love the music going and taking all the decorations out and just seeing the kids' eyes light up with joy and excitment.

As John and I sat putting up the core stuff yesterday we reflected on why we love this time of year and one of the things that stuck out was John saying, "how he loves to see the kids sit and stare at the tree and to see the lights glisten of their eyes." It's such a peacful feeling and such a joyous feeling for us as their parents to be able to be blessed with a house over our head, food on the table, clothing

and so much more.

I sit and think back to the day after our wedding and how we sat and opened all of our beautiful presents and I remember opening this small Christmas tree that one of my mom's friends gave to us. I was excited but didn't put to much thought into it.

Well not to long after that we ran into her at the store and she got teary eyed and said that she was shopping at Joanns in May and only had a few dollars to her name since her husband was sick with cancer and she prayed and told Heavenly Father that she really wanted to give us a nice gift but she didn't have much. So as she searched the isles she came across this tree that was only $3.00 and she had a feeling that this was it! So as she sat and told me this I had such a warm feeling inside and told her that it was the best gift ever. It has been the perfect size in our apartment and small home. We have enjoyed it more than she will ever know. And tonight as we finished things up we came across the tag from our present (the tree) and it just made me so thankful and so Happy they we tuly have been given much.

I can't wait to continue doing all of the fun family things we do over the next month.