Christmas is coming!

It is officially after Thanksgiving now so the kids (all of us) were excited to put up the Christmas decorations!
We started with the Playmobil nativity.

We seem to have fewer pieces every year. It is very much loved by the children!

Then we moved on to the big stuff.

Emily and Caleb really took care of most of it. Elinor was kept busy returning ornaments to the box that they came from, so the older two had a nice, never-ending stash to keep hanging.

Emily's animals came out for the event.
I must say, I have never seen them so well dressed before.

Elinor got to do the honors and help Daddy with the star this year.
Emily was pretty put out about that

Caleb spent a lot of time goofing off while Emily spent her time productively.

The three little ones in matching pj's (fancy Hanna Andersson organic ones! hand-me-downs from a kind neighbor - we don't buy that kind of stuff!). This was the best shot we could get of the three. Seriously. As soon as the two older ones hoisted Elinor up onto her feet she bolted. That girl should totally be walking. I'm convinced she's faking it so that we keep carrying her around. But I swear, once she hits 30 pounds, I'm done.

And that, in a nutshell, was our fun filled evening preparing for Christmas. It really was one of those evenings that you picture motherhood being like before you actually have any kids. Lots of laughter, Christmas music in the background, cold weather outdoors and cozy warmth indoors, and the excitement of the holidays gradually making its way into our household.