Christmas Preparations

The tree has been decorated full of memories and homemade goodness.

Presents are slowly coming together.
One for the youngest above (thanks to a great idea from this blog)
and the oldest below (THANK YOU Grandma for your help!) .

Christmas outfits are coming together (and some pieces are already being worn)

And packages are being prepared for shipping - this little pinecone owl will be soon gracing a nephew's driftwood Christmas tree in Duluth.

There is still lots to be done - lots of baking, finish the headbands for the church Christmas pageant, knitting and sewing presents, shipping of a "Finals" care package to another nephew in Duluth, completing a package for an ornament swap (almost done!) and of course wrapping presents - and I know I am forgetting one or twenty things but this list is enough to keep me busy until Christmas...tis the season :)!

The Start of Our Holiday Season

(The Little and Grandpa all decked out for Christmas)

We officially started our holiday season this weekend with our annual Gingerbread House Building at my Mom and Dad's. We can't quite remember how long we have been doing this but we know it has been since the biggest grandkid in the picture below (now 18 and in college) was about 8. The kids (and my 37 year old brother) all had a great time building their houses and then posed at the end for the annual grandkids picture. It was a wonderful day of good food, time with family and even a couple quick Scrabble games. It was the perfect way to start the season!