It's beginning to look...

...a lot like Christmas around my parent's house!

I've been decorating since Friday and things are really coming together.

Here is our "fancy tree" or White, Silver, and Gold tree- we started decorating two trees last year because my mother was afraid that when my brother and I took our ornaments to our own homes someday that she wouldn't have any Christmas ornaments.



One of my favorite things about decorating for Christmas is reliving memories through ornaments. Some of my ornaments have wonderful stories attached to them and I still make my mother retell the stories from my younger years every time I hang the ornaments on the tree. I think it is a wonderful way to stay connected to my past and spend some one on one time with my mother during the holidays.

Between now and Christmas I'd like to share some of my favorite ornaments with you all.


I don't know why she's my favorite of my dancer ornaments, but I think she is beautiful! When I began dancing, I also began collecting ballerina ornaments (thanks Mom!). Each year my brother and I get a new ornament and I plan on passing that tradition on to my children someday. I'm still easy to shop for- I teach ballet and LOVE to dance. My brother on the other hand has given up traditional sports in recent years for hard to find sports such as bouldering and rugby.

Here is what is now dubbed the "Family Tree" with a whole lot of history on the branches!