Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Norman Rockwell It Ain't


I always envision a Christmas tree decorating party for our family. Maybe make some hot chocolate, sing some Christmas tunes, pop some popcorn that we will string as garland to put around the tree and then talk about our hopes and dreams for what we want Christmas to really mean this year...............Yeah right! While I have a Clark Griswold moment (setting my expectations a wee bit too high) enjoy the pictures from the Christmas set up.
You have to appreciate a fake tree. I didn't have respect for this little beauty last year. I was still mourning the loss of the real tree. But this year I see the wonderful attributes of our faux little friend. I mean it came in 3 pieces and took less than 1 minute to set up. And no wrapping lights around the tree??? Bonus!

Kate and Carson "helping" with the ornaments.I know exactly what my son is thinking. "Good grief Kate we hit the jack pot! Look at all of these balls to throw around!" And  if I had a dime for everytime we have told them "do not touch the tree!"already, I could have fully funded next year's Christmas. But good grief put something easy to knock over with shiny objects all over it with in a kid's reach? What do we think they are going to do????

Jared and I always bemoan the fact that we have no stocking hangers. And then searching through the heap in our closet we discover these beauties. It's a Christmas Miracle! No really it was my Mom scoring a huge deal on stocking hangers one year and storing them in our closet, but either way we are set with having a place to hang our stockings this year.

My Mom always gives us the coolest ornaments. This is a porcelain one from Washington, DC. As you can imagine this one is at the tippy top of our tree.

Love this one. We had it made at a craft fair the December before Carson was born.

This bad boy has been on our tree since we've been married. Again a gift from Mom. I think if it weren't for Mom we would have no ornaments. No cool ones anyway. :)

The Christmas before Kate was born we went to Chicago for my Birthday and found these postcard ornaments. This one is of the old water tower in downtown Chicago. I miss Chicago at Christmas time. There is just SOMETHING about being there around Chistmas time. The windows at Marshall Fields, the Walnut room, Marshall Fields on State Street, Fannie Mae Candies Apricot creams (remember Mary Joy? I remember those were your favorites:)

Our stockings. Kate's stocking is 2nd from the right. It is made out of fabric from the dress I wore for my stage debut (and final performance as it turned out )as Mrs. Claus in the 5th grade Christmas play. The 5th stocking is for Mimi who will be our special guest this year.



Sweet baby boy. He was a little confused that after being told not to touch the ornaments all night we were actually telling him to touch an ornament for this photo op. We are all about consistent discipline around here.  He happily obliged being that he is drawn to the ornaments like a moth to a flame.

My favorite pictures of the year. There is something about the light of the Christmas tree on my kids faces that makes me sentimental and nostalgic.

Carson is starting a tradition by showing up pantless for all family gatherings. It's becoming his trademark. It will probably stop being cute around oh....... age 15.

I love this one.

See what I mean? No Norman Rockwell here. The boy is pantless and the Daddy is shirtless and Kate well.....not really sure what she's doing. :) I love that we keep it "real"

5 comments:

Stacey at Giggles and Glue Sticks said...

I love all the ornaments. So special. I love that Kate's stocking is made from your 5th grade costume. I love the tree pictures with the kids....really precious. And your hair is getting so long!!!

MJT said...

Betsy, I still miss Christmas in Chicago for all the same things you remember. And yes the Apricot Creams are still my favorite. Oh by the way.... Looked pretty much like a Norman Rockwell day to me. Mommy's are the heart of the home and you are giving your family very special memories to remember. L U! You are precious to me!!!

Carolyn said...

This post had me laughing on several counts....

I smiled at your explanation of the fake tree....just getting it out there for everyone where your true loyalty stands...love it.

Love the pantless boy.

Really love the sweet christmas light shots of the kids.

Love the explanation of the set up.

Laughed at the final "real" pic.

Love you!!

Anonymous said...

LOVED all the pics, especially the last one of the whole family!!! We just added our pics to FB and if it helps you out-Brice is wearing NO clothes! You are lucky you got Carson to touch the ornaments on the tree, Brice refused saying it was "hot hot hot"

Ohhhhh we live the good lives!!!

We love you four very much,
Us Gowens

angela said...

Oh, SO refreshing that you are keeping it real!! That is my favorite kind of post and pictures :)

God has said, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5-6