Christmas Bells are Ringing!

We've been slowly putting up Christmas decorations around the house. I admit, I've fallen short of what I intended to do. But, I've been distracted, and considering how much the boys love to pull and climb in general, I'm glad I've gotten anything up. And even more, that it's staying there. Well, mostly.

Grammie got the boys some advent calendars that they have fallen in absolute love with. I was originally going to tack them onto the walls, but the boys are quick studies when it comes to candy related calendars, and they started opening up the doors to get at the chocolate. So, we are keeping them on top of the fridge.

I like the smear of chocolate on Ben's face in this picture.

We also got Christmas stickers for the fridge that the boys had a blast putting up. Sam is politely asking for more stickers here. (Note: I was in the process of making 7 dozen gingerbread cookies, so please excuse the hair. :)

They put (almost) all of them up by themselves. It may not have been as aesthetically pleasing as I may have liked, but they certainly enjoyed themselves. I may or may not have readjusted a few overlapping stickers after the event.

Two fat, fridge reindeer.

And here is our wee Christmas tree! The boys helped me decorate it and have redecorated it almost everyday since its been up. They pull it down, pull off the ornaments, replace them (often of the same branch) and put it all back up. It's an extremely Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

We got the little man ornament in the red hat from Zach's sister, Stephy, who is serving a mission in Denmark. She says its extremely Danish. Thanks, Steph! And thanks to Grandma and Grammie for the rest of our tree trimmings!

And finally, after having been inspired by a viewing of Elf, we put up a paper chain, a shiny, beady garland, and these little reindeer that I made. Loads and loads of fun. The boys will point them out when I ask them about them. It's ultra cute.

We've only got a few more days to enjoy it. So, here's an early, Merry Christmas! And lets just forget that there is still one of those tiny ever-last Halloween pumpkins in the backyard.