Where did November Go??

Really, Where did November Go??  I'm trying not to hyperventilate thinking about my List of Things to Do.  Can you believe Christmas is around the corner?  I haven't gotten one shopping list or Christmas Card idea complete.  I probably wouldn't have gotten the house decorated for Christmas, but Connor was soooooo persistent this year.  He actually wanted to start right after the Thanksgiving meal.  Although Thanksgiving with family was a lot of fun (and didn't require me to bake), I was beat when we got home.   I promised the next day after breakfast we would pull it all up from the basement.  Of course, Connor woke me up at 7:30am sharp today (it kind of takes the Christmas Joy away that early).   Pregnancy is no excuse with a six year old.  I was really surprised by how engaged he was in the process.  He helped me decorate most of the house (with me going in behind him to fix his "decorating"), and we even braved Black Friday to get a stocking for the baby, a tree for his room, and fast food burger fix while singing Christmas tunes.  It was a fun day.  I hope you all are enjoying your Holidays.  Right now this is the scene where I live....

Our Tree-  Darren tries to get me to leave off some of the ornaments.  I can't leave off one because they are so special.  I remember when we were first married I could barely cover the front of a smaller tree, now we can cover this whole tree!

My mother in law gave me this Nativity scene with the manger animals when Darren and I were dating.  I put it out and tell the story to Connor every year.  It's in good shape...with the exception that Joseph is missing a hand, and I have already found Baby Jesus in the toy wrestling ring twice. 
'Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.' 

Connor picked out this tree today.  It was the only blue one left.  It was 50% off because the lights didn't work. Surprisingly, so far the lights work.  I was able to let him pick out a few ornaments, and he added this banner he had himself. 

Even the bathroom has a touch of Christmas.

Welcome and Gingerbread Greetings...Santa lost his glasses, but I still love this door decoration.

This is my small Christmas Village.  I usually get one house a year.  My favorite is Cinderella's castle because Darren bought it for me when we first started dating.  It lights up inside and flashes all different colors! (as you can see Connor has added a few pieces).

My aunt made this present with the lights inside....this is a continuation of my small Christmas village.

I got this Christmas School House for my Birthday last week (33!).

I set out every Christmas Picture of Connor with Santa.  This is his first picture (4 months).

A few years later, we still don't like this Santa guy.

Last year, I think he figured out how this Santa Dude works.

The Santa on the bottom plays 'Jingle, Jingle, Jingle'...and it has been driving me CRAZY.  A family friend who just graduated from West Point Academy gave it to Connor and he loves it.

Merry Christmas!

A stocking for every family member, including our 'no name yet' baby girl.

I love this apron...exp. the BLING!

Anybody want to come over for some cookies in the Santa jar and eggnog? 

I usually end up burning stove covers at least a few times a year by accident.  So far these have been safe.

This picture didn't take well (I am asking Santa for a new camera this year), but it's a Santa doormat. Wipe your feet and Ho, Ho, Ho!

Watch your step...these baskets have taken a tumble many times already.  Maybe the new member of our family will be more "calm".

Our Fridge Reindeer....he would never say 'a moment to the lips forever on the hips' ...he says things like 'red light! go for it! santa would approve of all those cookies!'