Decorating for Christmas

Warning: long post with lots of pictures!

The weekend after Thanksgiving we took down all of the Fall decor and decorated for Christmas. We then loaded up the boys on a rainy Saturday afternoon and headed up the street to Home Depot to pick out a Christmas tree. 

Now, many people have asked why we didn't take the boys to a tree lot to cut down our tree. And here is my answer: "We have twins." Ha! When we go out we either each wear one or we put them in the double stroller. I'm not sure if you've ever tried to push a double stroller over rocky and muddy ground on a tree lot, or tried wearing a baby while lying down on the rocky and muddy ground to cut down a tree and then lug the tree around the lot, but neither option sounded like a fun time to us. So this year we decided a tree lot would do and maybe next year when they're walking we will do a tree farm! :) Interestingly enough, we ran into a set of 2-year-old twins and a man in his 60s who was a twin. So apparently it was twin day at Home Depot! Not really. Okay, anyway, the boys had a great time feeling the rain sprinkle on their face, being all bundled up in the stroller and looking around, and helping pick out our tree (which happened to be the first one we saw). Our Home Depot also has a sleigh and snowman cutout for perfect holiday photo opportunities. We obliged happily! 

Lucas

Andrew

Our Christmas tree. Underneath is a basket of wrapped books. Each night in December before Christmas we open one to read before bed.

And here are some pictures of the Christmas decor in our new home! It has been such a blessing to purchase a house this year and to experience our first Christmas in it as a family. The boys were born shortly before Christmas last year so this isn't their first Christmas, but it's the first one they'll begin to be aware of and we are so thrilled to make wonderful memories for them! 

Our fireplace with homemade stockings on the mantle

Holiday decor around the house

Holiday decor in the playroom: some new friends in the tent, Christmas art on the walls, and books about Winter and Christmas in our reading nook

The twins enjoying the Christmas decor and playing

Stockings in the twin's room. These hung over their bassinets in the NICU and the nurses gave them to us. It's a special way for me to remember their birthday and the holiday and the blessings they are!

Dining table decor

Later, we set up the decor on the outside of the house. This is the first time Matt has ever hung lights on a house and the boys loved watching him from the stroller. (We use our stroller to contain our children quite often...are you getting that hint yet? HAHA!) Our new neighborhood has a tradition of decorating a Christmas tree in the front yard- how sweet and adorable is that?! This year we decided to decorate one of the large shrubs and get a tree next year when the boys are older. I was in charge of that and the boys loved playing peek-a-boo with momma around the shrubs while I decorated. 

Christmas in our first house! With our Christmas Shrub on the right side :)
Also, we have a pecan tree and its leaves fall and stain the driveway when it rains. Yuck. I think it might be firewood next year ;)

Our front porch decorated for Christmas