What a Weekend.

It was just great.  I almost want to brag it was so good.  Quality family time.  Big sales. And house decorating...including our first live, family tree.  We figured now that we have a babe, we need to go real evergreen from now on.  It has been a delightful addition.  The smell just wafts throughout downstairs, and Ella enjoys staring at the colored lights.  And, Howie, he's just trying to not get his eye poked out when he goes in for a sniff.

It feels like Christmas now.  Up until this weekend, it didn't quite feel like it. I kept forgetting.  But after a few buy one get one free sweaters at Old Navy (until the 11th, I believe! Check it out!) and me glancing at every kiddie tea pot set and powerwheel in Target yesterday, I'm officially in gear.  It's Ella's first Christmas, and we're ready to make it magical.  David's already been telling Ella his Christmas stories (in the spirit of his dad--the best storyteller there is).  He shares with her how St. Nick was so inspired by the birth of Jesus that he gave gifts to all the children of the world.  And so it is out of great thankfulness and love of our Great Gift that we give presents to one another.  And we celebrate all month long.  Advent and Hanukkah, too.  Lights and Love and Redemption.  Ohhhh yea.  (He's brilliant, isn't he?)  What a dad!

We spent our evenings this weekend with a fire in the fireplace.  Our heater broke on Friday, so we decided to take advantage of a gas fire.  It was a blessing in disguise.  We had the fire roaring all weekend with Christmas music blaring, Ella playing with boxes of tree lights, and even a few snowflakes (a rarity here).

After Ella went "Nigh night", we turned all the lights down, plugged in that big tree, poured two glasses of wine, and watched our first disc of "I Love Lucy".  Thank you, Netflix.  We can now catch up on our new, favorite 1950's sitcom.

We laughed under our blanket as Lucy did antic after antic, comedy at its finest. Fun fact: Did you know that Lucille Ball's high school drama teacher told her that she would never make it as an actress?  I just love that about her.

All that to say, it was fun and festive...and Christmas.  Tis the season to be merry.  And, merry, we were...

(Pictures to come. I'm in the process of making our stockings!)



(corresponding song: This Christmas by Donnie Hathaway)