The 2015 Christmas Tree

 The 2015 decorating crew.

Kimberly, Amy, Luke, Laura, Lady, Grace and Mark

 Yes, Lady was very helpful.

 Kimberly was the only one who could work on the back of the tree. 

 Best buddies.....everyone has a buddy...

Kim and Luke

 Buddies Laura and Amy

 Buddies Mark and Grace.

Luke and his best buddy Lady.....

Merry Christmas Tree decorating day!!

Trimming the Tree

We tend to have a party for anything...but Sunday wasn't anything. It was a very important thing.

Putting up the Christmas Tree.

Everyone was home for this traditional event.

We had tacos for dinner, (in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe) and then Mexican treats for after the tree was done. It was a real fiesta.

Hubby even managed a siesta on the feast day.

Luke and Mark taking a break from the fun.

Have I ever mentioned the house is small.....I couldn't fit all 10 kids in the photo at the same time, but believe me, they were there.

(They ate 5 pounds of taco meat and about 40 taco shells.)

Amy and Becky

Mark

A new little snowman peeking out from among the branches.

I think this is just a funny picture.

Hubby and first daughter, Becky, putting up the star.

The reason for the season.

And here they are....the famous 10 kids from Ten Kids and a Dog----you will notice, the dog did not fit in the photo, in fact, the ten kids barely fit in the photo.

Merry Christmas from "the little house"

The beautiful 2009 tree!
Kimmy potato head

"Away in a Manger....." (p.s.-don't tell Kimmy the shepards are really pilgrims....ssshhhh....)

A Christmas Tree tradition on Gaudete Sunday

Today is the day that we usually put up our Christmas tree. We have been lighting purple candles on our Advent wreath everyday for the past 2 weeks and now it is a time to rejoice. Pink is the color of the day because soon our Savior will be born.

" Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near." (Phil 4:4,5)

This year Becky began a new tradition. She, Amy, and Laura strung a garland of popcorn and cranberries. I have always thought that this would be fun to do, but we never seemed to get to it, but thankfully, Becky "got" to it this year. Thanks Beck!

It is such a pretty addition to the tree.

While we decorate the tree, we always like to light a roaring fire and listen to Christmas music.

This is easily achieved by tuning into channel 799 on our digital tv.

After "lighting" the fire, everyone got busy. Daddy always gets the lights on the tree first, and then Mom puts on garland. This year it is our cranberries and popcorn, and a paper chain that has survived for the last few years.

Lastly, all the kids put on the decorations, many of them handmade for Christmases past. Kim and Luke did a great job helping. Luke carefully put all the big "balls" on the tree. Later, when I wasn't looking, he collected them back up into his arms to play with. He was not happy that they have to stay on the tree.
Lastly, the star went up. Here you can see Daddy and Patrick debating its perfect placement.

There were only 8 kids here today for this annual event, but Becky and Matt were certainly here in spirit.