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Beautiful and Perfect

We really got into the Christmas spirit on Saturday.  In the morning while John had a meeting, I took the kids to the Nadine Baum Studios at Walton Arts Center to paint ornaments.  Kate and Abby loved it, and Alex loved making a mess!  Then, we came home and made gingerbread boys and girls and decorated the Christmas tree.  All of this was followed by a Christmas party on Saturday night and driving around to see lights on the way home.

I did not stage this picture.  While the girls were waiting for me to get ready, Kate read The Grinch to her sister.  Very sweet.

Abby icing her gingerbread snowman

Kate and John went to get the tree

Then it was time for the dreaded lights.  First, Alex observed very closely.

Then he helped by holding the end of the strand.  Notice he never took the cup out of his mouth.

Abby and Kate decorated the tree with the unbreakable ornaments. They were giggling, squealing, and of course, arguing, with excitement.  Meanwhile, Alex broke a few and my vacuum broke…but that’s another story.

Here is the finished tree.  I haven’t moved any of the ornaments (even though I really, really want to) because Kate and Abby said the tree was “beautiful and perfect” when the last ornament went on.

Here are some of my favorite ornaments.

Swizzle sticks from our engagement dinner at Hamilton House in Hot Springs.  This isn’t a real ornament, but it’s a great memory.

We only have ornaments that depict the *real* meaning of Christmas.  Here’s one:  Santa plays the slots, a souvenir from Las Vegas.

A picture of Abby’s first (and only) visit to Santa.  She was about 3 months old.  Once she knew better she wouldn’t go near that guy!

Alex’s first handmade ornament.  He painted this on Saturday morning.

When Kate was born, one of John’s relatives sent us a set of these beautiful baby girl ornaments.  Kate broke all of them except this baby bottle.   Oh, the irony…

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