November and December were insane for me. Insane. But after Thanksgiving I knew I needed to press pause and let tradition run the show for a day. The kids (okay me too) get so giddy when we put up our tree, it’s pure joy.

It all starts with Papa Nick bringing his truck full of trees for us to choose from.

He set them up all over our yard and Grace picked her favorite telling us it was ‘her friend’.

We wrapped it in lights, put a pretty skirt on her and she was ready to go. The kids could barely contain themselves when I brought up the ornament boxes.

Each and every one was so exciting to them.

Luke would pick out a ball

and then run them over to us:

“Hee-ya Mommy Hee-ya!”

Grace put herself in charge of putting the hooks back on any ornaments where they fell off

She took this job very seriously

She also made sure the back of our tree didn’t feel neglected

Stretch!!

Jack found his leopard from last year

Then he stood by Daddy’s side as he put St Nick on top of the tree

and cheered as the tree was complete

Here’s my attempt at getting a ‘nostalgic’ Norman Rockwell shot in front of the tree…

Luke couldn’t contain himself, he was in awe

He wanted to touch every ornament within his reach

Meanwhile Daddy read to the big kids on the couch

And so began the Holiday season…

Bring it on.