Decking the halls

Sarah holding up her favorite ornament

Noah with his favorite "ornament": the piece of his backhoe that broke when he was 2, and the ladder that broke off his fire truck when he was 3.  He couldn't bear to part with these precious treasures, so he hung them on the Christmas tree. He's been hanging them on it every year since. 

Sarah setting up the nativity scene, or as she calls it, "playing with the Christmas action figures".  Noah put out a little water bowl for the goat this year. 

Mike declared that no one was hanging anything anywhere until the lights were up ("One bulb goes out, they ALL go out!"), so Noah is guarding the area to prevent violations.  Not exactly a Norman Rockwell moment, but that's the way we roll. 

Lighting the first fire of the season.

using the tree skirt as a superhero cape

The kittens were quick to undecorate.  They are thoroughly enjoying their first Christmas!

This ornament is older than I am.  I remember putting it on our Christmas tree when I was little.

Noah hanging the stockings by the chimney with care.

Moments later, Shadow unhung them without a care.

Covered in the dreaded flocking.  How can any still be left after how much falls off every year?

That awkward moment when Mike realized he's too old to lift Noah up to put the angel on top of the tree.

But he can still get Sarah up there...barely.