Hark, Hear the Bells...

...sweet silver bells, all seem to say, throw cares away...Christmas is here!

I finally got both my trees up and completed! Now all I have to do is the kids' trees and the outside lights (I think). Then, I have to speed clean my house because I'm hosting a Christmas party in ONE week! Ahh!

But, to be festive, I thought I would share a few pics of my trees and a few of the fam. As I mentioned in my last post, my parents gave me my present early--a fancy new digital camera, so we've been having fun playing with the different settings. My favorites for the trees are "candlelight" and "night scenery." Scott's a better photographer than me as he takes the time to actually read the manual and try stuff out :) But, I digress. Here ya go:

The den tree--my traditional one. I also have one in that little corner. Yes, I am one of those people (You know, those that have a tree in almost every room). Sorry, I got it from my mom; but I really think she learned it from our old next door neighbor, Ruth Ann, so we'll blame her!

The front living room tree. It's my "elegant" one.

(Above & below: Some of Scott's fancy photography.)

In Pottery Barn's Christmas catalog they featured a family tree with framed photos on it. I thouhgt that was pretty neat, so I tried to copy!

And how could I forget...I took the kids to the parade last night. Below, Will is pointing at something...not sure what!

Claire Bear at her first parade

One of the many floats

Also, I have been tagged yet again by Kelly, but this is a special Christmas edition. I think I did it last year, but hey, it's the holidays. let's do it again!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I prefer wrapping paper at Christmas-time for some reason. Of course, if a gift is impossible to wrap and would go better in a bag...by all means, I use the bag.

2. Real tree or artificial? I love the way real trees smell (love walking by the tree lots!) but artificial is so much more practical for me.

3. When do you put up the tree? Anytime after Halloween is fair game for me. Since I have so much to do and two little rugrats, the sooner the better. They might be up and naked for a coupld of weeks before I can get to them!

4. When do you take the tree down? After New Year's

5. Do you like eggnog? Nope. Scott does, though.

6. What about fruit cake? Again, nope!

7. Favorite gift recieved as a child? One Christmas I got everything Barbie...the house, the car, clothes, and of course, several of the dolls. My poor aunt got the job of putting it all together and sticking all the stickers on. Thanks, Aunt Shirley. I still remember. What a great day!

8. Do you have a nativity scene? No

9. Hardest person to buy for? grandparents and in-laws; and Claire, because she's a baby and doesn't need anything!

10. Easiest person to buy for? Will (I want to get him so many things!)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever recieved?

12. Mail or Email cards? I definitely prefer snail mail, but this year, I think the cards ain't happnin'. We just have too much going on. So maybe email would be a good alternative to nothing!

13. Favorite Christmas movie? I have so many...it's time to start watching! White Christmas, Home Alone, A Christmas Story, It's a Wonderful Life

14. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually around October or November...as soon as it occurs to me that I need to start!

15. Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift? Yes.

16. What is your favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Ham, my grandma's sweet potato casserole, pumpkin pie, candied pecans, pecan pie, hot chocolate

17. Clear or colored lights on the tree? Clear!

18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home? I prefer to stay at home, but we end up traveling a lot to be with family.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, & Rudolph

20. Angel or star on top of the tree? Star

21. Favorite Christmas song? religious--O Holy Night; secular--Winter Wonderland

22. Open the presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Usually Christmas morning, but sometimes we open one on Christmas Eve.

23. What is the one gift you really want this year? An iPod stand alone player. I already got the digital camera I also really wanted.

24. What is the most annoying thing about this time of year? The crazy holiday shoppers. And things like going to Midland to get more ribbon from Hobby Lobby only to find out that Hobby Lobby is completely sold out of ribbon.

25. What I love most about Christmas? I love the joy and fun of it. I love the special, warm, fuzzy feelings that are so prevalent. I love giving gifts and seeing people open them. It's just a warm, cozy, wonderful, sweet time of year!