Getting Ready

Getting Ready for Christmas at our house is quite fun...but a lot of work!

Putting up the Outside lights.......check!

A train ride to the UP of Michigan with Santa Claus........check!

The kids decorating their tree downstairs.....check!

The boys fighting on who get to hang the star.....check!

Decorating the tree upstairs - Mom's Tree as it is known.....check!

(This is actually a beautiful 22 foot tree, that looks absolutely pathetic in this picture)

Twenty Three nativity sets up.......Check!

(Yes it is the only thing in this world that I collect, nativities. I LOVE them!

All the little nick nacky Christmas (crap) as Wes calls it up and displayed....check!

But see that Santa & Rudolph on the end, it will be disappearing after this Christmas, I have heard Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer played sooooooo many times that it it magically finding it's way to the trash!

The Department 56 Collection set up.....check!

(This is actually Wes's thing, he gets all the houses out, arranges them and it's his Christmas Tradition, we collect a house a year, and I have to admit, it's actually enjoyable, now that our kids have learned "Don't Touch" - well for the most part.)

The stockings were hung.....check!

Only one sledding accident to date......check!

(Wes was pulling the kids on the sleds and she biffed it! I keep telling Wes that she isn't as tough as the boys and slow down as he wips through turns, but he's going to make her tough!)

Neighbor gifts, friends gifts, visiting teaching and teacher gifts.....check, check check!

Lots & Lots & Lots of snow.......Check!

(We actually received the 5th largest winter storm in Wisconsin History....lucky us!)


Christmas Cards mailed, family pictures taken, baking...not done, sleep = none, packages mailed, shopping done, and kids counting down the seconds!

However, the ultimate thing that we have done this season is spend a few days at the Osthoff resort last weekend in Lake Elton Wisconsin. It was divine - (Look at the slide show below.) I can not possible put into words how nice it was to cozy up to the fireplace and watch ABC Family Christmas movies, drink lots and lots of Hot chocolate, leave my lap top at home, pack the swimsuits, no wrapping or lists to worry about, only to enjoy the luxury linens, and love the fact that someone else had to come in and make the beds everyday. I could not have asked for a more beautiful setting, Mr & Mrs. Claus were so attentive to my children that I almost wanted to kiss the both of them. It was so nice to stop, escape from the busyness of life and just enjoy the Season. The lights, music, decor & food were unbelievable, this will seriously be on my Chirstmas list every year.....Merry Christmas to Me!