Trimming the tree

We got a late start on putting up our tree this year since we were on vacation last week and didn't want our poor Christmas tree to dry up. We picked one up the day after we returned home but didn't get around to putting on the ornaments until tonight. As expected, Cruz was extremely helpful and loved putting up the different ornaments, while Lucas busied himself with pulling everything off the tree and generally making a mess. Despite all the "No Lucas!" and re-trimming of the tree, we had a nice time listening to Christmas music and making our tree look beautiful.

Pulling off rather than putting on ornaments

Helpful little elf

Decking the halls

I don't collect anything except Christmas ornaments. I try to choose ornaments that are different or special in some way, and I also continue a tradition that my mom did with our family ornaments growing up. We traveled throughout our childhood and she would always try to find an ornament from the new place we visited and add it to our collection. Then every Christmas, we would pull out our trimmings and be reminded of wonderful family vacations and happy times. I began the tradition myself right after college and I love that it is both a walk down memory lane and also reminds me of my mom. I have some from various places throughout California, Vermont, Chicago, London and Mexico to name a few. Here are a few to share with you...

 

From our honeymoon

Cruz's first handmade ornament in preschool

The last ornament my mom bought me - very similar to one from my childhood

Tiny clogs from Holland when I vacationed with my parents

From the City of Light

A Texan boot, I used to go to Austin for work several times a year

A clear globe with the NYC skyline - from our 1 year anniversary  trip

Hawaii

I look forward to collecting new ornaments from new places and sharing the tradition with my two boys.