Christmas Has Arrived at the Chappell Home

There are few things that I love more than Christmas.  And that is why, the day after Thanksgiving, our house turns into Christmas central.  The tree comes out (that artificial tree was the best decision I ever did make!), the decorations go up indoors and out, all the Christmas music and movies and books come out of hiding, and Twinklecheeks makes his first appearance.  I love Christmas!

my 3 little elves, decorating the tree

the mostly-finished product

Lauren reading the boys the "Elf on the Shelf" story, to reacquaint themselves with the rules of Twinklecheeks

we missed that little guy!

Lauren's rendition (you can see that they actually forgot his name for a brief moment -- the indignity of it all!)

Here's another one of our annual traditions -- a trek to Neimans for everyone to pick out a special ornament.  Here is Lauren's reindeer, replete with red lips.

For Hudson, what else?  A train.

Jon Owen's super adorable lion and lioness.

The family ornament, which is a Noah's Ark and soooo beautiful, I'm not sure this picture does it justice.