Christmas time is here

Hanging ornaments....what a good little helper!

This is our wonderful Noble Fir! We are loving it and think its the best one ever. Even though its not quite as tall as we normally get, it is more full....which means that I probably need to get a few more ornaments. I think I ran out of branches last year. Last years was a little more Charlie Brown-ish. Grayson is enjoying his tree and asks me to turn on the lights every morning...."on, on, on, on!"

Deep in thought

I really like this picture and how the lighting turned out (or didn't turn out). This was taken the during the same time when he was wearing his fancy bow....he must have found a really good book!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I finally downloaded some photos that were taken the first week of December. These were taken the day I put up most of the outdoor lights. Grayson loved seeing the lights and was "oohing" and "wowing" (as you can see in the bottom left corner picture). Grayson found a red ribbon in some of the Christmas decor and put it around his waist. I then tied it on him and after awhile he didn't even think twice about it not being there. We took it off right before we had to go to our community Christmas dinner....I decided it was a little much :)

Long time, no post

Its been awhile since I've posted any pictures....or a blog for that matter. We've been pretty darn busy and I'm just starting to feel like things might get caught up. We finally got our tree up yesterday.....a beautful Noble from the "hills"...that Gary and Debbie picked out. I think this is our best tree ever! We also have a tree to get put up at dad's while he is away hanging out with all sorts of celebs. I won't go into any detail due to the confidential nature of the event he is at....but I will surely let you know when I can and whether of not dad makes People magazine. I have been totally living vicariously through him. He is having a terrific time and is hoping that the high winds will cause him to be stranded there for a bit longer.
Anyway, I will soon be posting some pictures...I promise!

Feelin' the cold!

Ok people I stuck to my word and got outside today to put up my lights. I thought this was going to be a great day to do so....no wind, rain, etc....yet. The moment I get outside it starts to snow...kind of. Anyway, I did manage to get some lights up despite the frigid temperature, the freezing of my boot-tay and a few choice words. As usual there were those extra fun times when the already-tested lights decide not to work once I get them on top of the world's larget freaking tree. Most of it went quite smoothly though (even with frozen fingers). I'm not quite finished (of course), but the majority of it is all up. Pictures to come soon.

Feelin' the heat!

So I think our neighborhood is pretty competitive. Grayson and I went for a run this evening in the dark and couldn't believe how many houses already have their Christmas lights up. I feel totally behind! I have a strict rule that no Christmas decorations can be put up until December 1st. I know that a lot of people do it the day after Thanksgiving.....but until the month turns into December, I just can't do it. It just doesn't feel right. Maybe I am rebelling against all the crazy consumerism around this time of year. Don't get me wrong....I admit that I also will get caught up in it too....just not till December. I devote the whole month of December to Christmas, with decor and by listening only to Christmas music. Anyway, it seems like this year people in our neighborhood are putting up their lights early (except for my neighbor across the street.....she was totally on the same page as me). I am going to stick to my guns....come Saturday morning.....its all about Christmas. When I was a wee one I loved having Christmas lights up all year round.....that drove my parents nuts. Hey....maybe thats where I got my rule!
So, in the meantime I will try not to feel guilty by not starting my outdoor illumination process yet....maybe I will just get the boxes out and prepare for the total insanity that awaits me. Every year I wonder what I get myself into when I start the lighting procedure....it is such a time consuming thing that I HAVE to do....no matter what. I start acting like Clark Griswold! I'm sure I've broken several "electrical" rules too. Oh well....the end result is what keeps me doing what I do! I almost forgot to mention that I also do the lights at dad's house too! I must be completely insane. MUST HAVE LIGHTS!!


Happy decorating all!

Enjoying the Vale sun

The day after Thanksgiving we all got out on a small hike up Keeney pass just outside of Vale. The dogs had the best time in the world because they had acres to run fast and far. The day we left, Grayson got to get on Tony the horse and take a little walk around the driveway. He thought that was super fun and he loved every minute of it.