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Friday, December 07, 2007

Decorating the Tree

We finally got around to decorating the Christmas Tree, after having to cancel so Alyson could go to work, Maddie could go snowboarding, Brenna could go to basketball practice, John could get one more night of hunting in......does anyone else see what a priority this is?

Truly, I didn't care if the tree sat there all season without lights, but finally, we were all in the same space and the decorating was accomplished. John was in charge of the camera, so who knows what kind of shots he took, I haven't even looked at them yet. Prepare. (**upon examining the pictures, they aren't too bad - but there is one that looks like Alyson is picking her nose, she is actually messing with her nose ring. If you'd like to read about THAT decision, check out the archives. Never a dull moment around here.)

For some reason, this year just felt different. The kids are getting older and they have so much going on in their lives, and even though they love our traditions, you do notice a difference when they get to a certain age. Even with Brenna only being 10 (almost 11) it still seems like it's different. Of course when they were all little, they couldn't wait to do these things and had a fit if we even thought about veering off course from our traditions.

It made me stop and think (and yes, get a little sad) about how different it will be when they are all gone. Will I be one of those people that still holds true to the traditions even though there are no kids at home? And then sit around and be all pissed off that no one appreciates the traditions anymore? God, I hope not, I hate that. Only time will tell. But I have to admit that all those years when people told me to 'appreciate it, they will be gone before you know it', I didn't believe it and secretly couldn't wait for them to get older. Boy, was I wrong. Whoever told us it was easier when they get older, was wrong. Believe it or not, there are days when I wish they were little again, yes, briefly, but I do.

Anyway, enough grousing - here are the pictures of us decorating. We also decided to kill two birds with one stone and take the Christmas card picture all in the same night. Why? I'm not sure. By the time we were done, everyone was sufficiently crabby. So, I have included our Christmas card picture too. To all of you out there, just in case I forget later, I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, or Happy Whatever Holiday it is you celebrate, and since I don't know all of your addresses, consider this your Christmas card from our house to yours!
























Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all you great bloggers!
From the Our Family to Yours - 2007

6 comments:

*~*Cece*~* said...

Great pictures!

I can honestly say that I could NOT let our tree sit, undecorated, for days. It would just bother me! lol As soon as that baby is upright we're attacking it!

Merry Christmas, Sweetie.

Mrs. G. said...

What a beautiful tree. What a beautiful family. I notice my kids (17 & 13) want all the traditions to continue as long as I do most of the work. They want a tree and all the baking and all the lights...but no one's around to help Mom when the work needs to be done. It makes me sad too. I have scaled back and try to remind myself that I do it because I love it. Sigh.

Angie said...

You just wait, Cece - when those little sweeties of yours are tweens or teens - you won't believe the shit you let slide! haha No, wait, don't go there, just enjoy them while they are little....Merry Christmas.

Yes, Mrs. G. - I'm continually working on doing things b/c I WANT to with NO resentments. Not an easy thing to do, but necessary for my sanity! Merry Christmas.

Lynne's Somewhat Invented Life said...

Beautiful pictures. Beautiful sentiments.

Hayley said...

My son is now 13 and decorating the tree was left in his hands this year. He did a better job than me. Merry Christmas!
HayleysPerfect.blogspot.com

Akkire said...

Your family is so cute Angie. I wish we were neighbors. :)

Being sort of close to the younger end of the age spectrum (27), I will say that between the ages of 11-21, I became a pretty self absorbed person. I liked knowing my parents would do holidays a certain way, but I didn't really care to help and definitely never let on I wanted them to continue.

As soon as the traditions began ebbing, and I got older, it was me who invested my energy and time and thoughts to our traditions. They may not be many, or complicated, but I want them! My parents no longer have any children at home, so they stopped getting trees. I got creative and would make paper trees or do SOMETHING to instill continuity with all the memories I had of past christmases. Luckily, my nephew came around and they get one for him now.

I don't regret the time where I was self absorbed, but I am glad I snapped out of it! Your girls will too.