Finally!

Finally, I finished the decorating for the season. Here are quick snapshots of the mantle and dining room stars. The mantle has never been decorated like this before. It is really full---but I think I might like it. I tend to love excessive decorating at Christmas. Anyway- I will live with it this holiday. I am not spending any more frustrating minutes, hours, or days trying to make it look different or better. Merry Christmas!!!

Decorating has begun!

I decided to decorate in stages this year instead of one long, stressful day. Olivia and I put up the big tree and her little tree in her room. I set up the Christmas village on the piano. I hung the handmade (by mom) Santa. Michael thinks this Santa is funny looking. He always makes fun of me when I insist on putting it up first. But...it is a holiday tradition. The Christmas season really starts when this Santa arrives. I LOVE it! Olivia also painted decorations on our front windows. Her paintings are so cute that I think we will start doing this every year. It's messy- but the fun is well worth it. So...that leaves: the mantle, wreaths, paper stars, and a few odds and ends to set around. Hopefully, I will have it festive looking by this weekend. If not, oh well. We may decorate all the way until Dec. 25!