2016-12-10

Merry Christmas 10 on 10

On this day, we celebrate the birth of our youngest daughter.  I'm spending the day creating a "meme-nado" on her Facebook page because today she is 372 months old. That's how all the cool young moms count their child's age, so I just thought I'd join in. Happy Birthday Boog!
But today also officially (finally) marks the beginning of the Christmas season at our house. Last week some of our short people were here and one of them was bemoaning the fact that we hadn't set up our Christmas tree yet! 
So, that is what comprised a good part of our day. 







Every year it comes out of the basement smashed and dusty. 






 But with a few fresh candy canes, lights, some ribbon and the tried and true ornaments that we've been dragging around the country for nearly 40 years, it'll look great. It always does!





It's getting there!






The handsome half brought this nativity home from Okinawa 35 years ago and our children have never known a Christmas without it. It has wise men too, but they didn't visit Jesus until quite some time after His birth. So they reside elsewhere right now.......






.....in the room to the east of the nativity. 

"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." Matthew 2:1-3






We have another set that is much more kid friendly, but unfortunately, in this set Mary is a single mother. Joseph went missing a few years ago.






It just isn't a proper Christmas tree without Santa on his surf board!






And airplanes. 





Lot's and lot's of airplanes!
This one was given to us by my best friend from high school. She always had a part in setting up our Christmas tree. But since she's Jewish, we called it a Hanukkah bush!





Thanks Cherie!! 
(this is a parenthetical inclusion, and doesn't count as a 10 on 10 picture!)





"All is calm, all is bright...." 
until the horde arrives in a couple of weeks!! 
Can't wait!




For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
A light of revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of your people, Israel.
Luke 2:30-32