it made us so happy, we couldn't stop...

decorating for Christmas!!!!

one night last week i wanted to do something that would make me feel really good, take my mind off things, relax. so i made a quick trip to Michael's, bought a few things, rushed home, wrapped garland and strung lights on our banister. music playing, thinking about the upcoming holidays, feeling thankful for so many things, and wondering what peyton and beckham's reaction would be when they saw the lights!!! it turned out to be a really good night.

peyton and beckham's excitement over the wreath alone (not hung and lit up, but laying on the floor after just being rediscovered after a year of living in an unmarked box) was SO heartwarming and exciting! they couldn't stop dancing, talking about Santa, asking for candy canes (how do they remember those candy canes?) their happiness and excitement only fueled my desire to add more lights, more glitter, more snow on the windows,...

before i even realized it, i emptied the last box!

this time of year is so magical and so full of fun things to do and look forward to. thanksgiving will be spent with loved ones where we will have an amazing day filled with fun family and feeling so thankful, much laughter, great food, memory making events,

kids, kids, and more kids!

until then, we will bask in the magic of Christmas. making new traditions, making plans, reading new Christmas books, making cookies, taking pictures, making mailers, selecting new outfits, talking endlessly about Santa with peyton, unwrapping glittered and glued ornaments from their crumpled tissue paper with the kids, dancing in front of the beautifully lit tree, and truly appreciating the wonder and magic of Christmas time through my babies!

in this economy christmas will more than ever be a time to simply give thanks, help others, and appreciate time spent with with good friends and family!

it all started with this runner i bought last year at an after Christmas sale. i waited, i called, i annoyed people, but i finally bought this at 75% off!!!been anxiously waiting to dress my table using this grosgrain ribbon runner and it was like a gift i hadn't opened yet waiting for me inside the big Rubbermaid bin it was stored in!

peyton got creative with glittered ornaments by hanging them on our chandelier...

she inspires me!

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next came the tree that jeff so patiently put up this morning and according to the kids in this house...candy canes are the only decorations needed to make the tree look festive. no other ornament needed.

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they sat and stared at the tree together! with wonder and innocence they stared at the unfinished tree. with promises to complete it tomorrow (we lost our hooks) first thing, they put pumpkins under the tree. since we are still in November, i thought that was pretty cute.

even though it is against my tree decorating beliefs, jeff topped the unfinished tree with the star. WT? i wasn't even the room! he explained that peyton begged for it and she was sooooo happy when he let her put it on the tree. it's okay, we can do it again tomorrow.

and the number one reason we are so content to have our tree and decs up...

i truly believe that all things christmas are magical and happy and good. making us want to live better. help more. give more. be more.

peyton is a twirler...she twirls...i love it! we could watch her for hours while she makes up new dance moves, changes in and out of her tap and ballet shoes, and even beckham likes to bust a move every once in a while! i think the tree makes her happier. just sayin'

i hope to never forget the memories made tonight. i wish i could see my babies run with excitement at the sight of Santa or at the mention of a candy cane treat after dinner...forever. we won't. i am constantly aware of that. so making these holidays as special as we can is so very important to us.

right now I especially thankful for this blog and for all of the memories it keeps safe for

peyton and beckham.

more to come.