It’s the most wonderful time of the year! ❤🎄(..decorate accordingly!😉)

Christmas time… IT’S HERE!!

Being a mom has now fully transformed my holiday decorating.

I read somewhere that surrounding yourself with Christmas decor can actually make you happier… I mean, obviously I believe it.. It works for me! The more I add, the better I feel. 😆

I have set the standard high though, and my 3 girls (Kylie, Ayla, & Giana) now expect a certain level of festive! Every year I think I will do less, but it turns out.. sometimes I do more. 😬

I really like decorating though.

It’s just fun to change your surroundings, familiar and fun at the same time. I decorate inside while my husband, Nikko, covers the outside of our house in lights!

We also make sure to get a real tree each year. We have hunted for them in the forest as well as cut them ourselves at local tree farms. This year was a tree farm year and we found the perfect one! We always make sure to take a family picture with our tree before cutting it down and taking it home.

Not too big and lots of space for ornaments! Nobles are my favorite.

Kylie and Ayla decided to help dad with the heavy lifting this year.. without us even asking! 😳😍 (I’m still shocked!)

Once we got it home, it was strung with lights, we hung ornaments as a family, and finally.. it completed our decorations!

It was the final touch to my hours spent bringing cheer into our home.

Here are a few things I do each year that my kids absolutely love:

• First, I spend about $10 on wrapping paper (from the nearest Costco) specifically for wrapping the frames on our walls. The pictures in them have typically been the same ones for an extended period of time. Once they are wrapped..Seeing them hidden adds a little mystery! 🤔 A game of “Memory” has begun! All December long, they randomly ask.. “mom, is that one the picture of _____?”… (whatever their guess is). They see the wall with new eyes and try to remember what they thought they knew so well! It’s quite cute to see their little minds working, and how happy they are when they know they still remember. Not to mention, the fact that it looks like we have presents everywhere! 😄🎁

• Next, I add a disguise to a large picture on our wall… my favorite President, Mr. Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. (I do this for most holidays too 😁). His portrait is a focal point in our home so I like to make sure he is in the spirit with us! Usually, he ends up looking like Santa.. a darn good one too. I like to think that he would get a good ol’ belly laugh at the sight of himself dressed up. 😉🇺🇸

• Lastly, the ever daunting “Christmas Village” scene. My husband’s grandmother gifted us her amazing collection of miniature buildings.. complete with tiny people, sleds, forest background, trees, shrubs, farm animals, fences, stone walls, mailboxes, telephone booths, extra-mini nativity scene, lights for all of the town’s buildings, and of course…snow. It takes me hooouuurs to set it up! Hours. Like 5. Just getting out every piece takes a huge chunk of time, it’s all glass so I have to be very careful. I have the serious task of creating a new town layout each year depending on where I set it up. There are so many things… I am forced to condense no matter what! I can’t fit them all without adding 2 additional large tables! 😂 (Not kidding though). It’s a lot of work, but it definitely adds a magical touch and once it’s all set up.. I’m always glad I took the time to do it! The kids love to get their little noses in there and imagine what life is like in our ever-changing village. This year, I plan to add the cassette tape of “Village Sounds” to complete the magical feeling. Hopefully it’s a hit! ❤

All together, these 3 things feel like we live in a Christmas Village ourselves sometimes! I love it, and I’ve only got limited time with little ones.. the years are passing too quickly! As much as possible, I want my kids to feel the magic of the season, have the giving spirit, and to be grateful for our many blessings.

Now, once the New Year arrives.. all of the Christmas decor has to come down.

Clearly it takes some time, but the best part… unwrapping the frames on the walls!!!

It’s like the Christmas finale! ☺

I get the kids together and grab one frame at a time.. they all make their guesses and we laugh and celebrate when we unveil each one! We ring in the New Year by reflecting and enjoying our past. I love the way it brings us together to make new memories by remembering the old. 😍

So, for now… it’s time to relax and enjoy the happiness that surrounds us while remembering the reason for the season, whose party we decorate for..

Our walls are wrapped, Teddy is dressed up, the village is lit, and our little lad, Theo, is ready to join his 3 big sisters for his first ever Christmas!🦌

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!🎉

Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁

❤ – Mama Katie

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“For there is born to you in the City of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” -Luke 2:11