on our first date of christmas...

This is our second year to do 12 dates of Christmas inspired by lovetaza and marci. So, now we can official call it our 2nd Annual "Dates of Christmas" (because there is no such thing as a 1st annual, people -no matter how many times it is used incorrectly.) This year we kicked it off by completing our outdoor lights at the new house and driving around the neighborhood looking for lighting ideas for next year, as well as making sure we weren't outdone by too many houses. ;)

After driving around listening to the XM Holiday Traditions station and admiring twinkle lights, we returned home to finish the last season of Fringe in the warm glow of lights on the mantle. After discussing the 5 seasons we watched together over the last few years, we went into the den - which we have formally renamed the "Christmas room" - where Tison read books to the belly. I think baby girl really liked it.

Here are a few pictures of our "Christmas room" decorating process:

Putting this village out every year really adds that Christmas warmth to the home. Since we (my sisters and I) have been collecting them since I was in elementary school - they have been a part of our Christmas tradition for what seems like forever. Every year when I pull them out of their little boxes I find something new that love about them. While we used to set up all of our village collections in one room at my parents, we have all taken our little part of the metropolis to our own homes. However, these houses make me call upon Christmas' past and gazing upon them always gives me that childlike feeling of Christmas.

my favorite moments of christmas eve/day 2012...

{famous turtle soup at the Harpers}

...only a month later!

dinner and decorating....

 I went to my parents last night for dinner and to help my mom decorate our, not one, but two Christmas trees. If there is any question about what Mrs. Claus' first name is, it is Virginia Diane. The day after Thanksgiving all the storage, that has been busting at the seams with ornaments, lights, ribbons, santas, etc. since last year, is brought out. One would think that you would need all the little elves in the North Pole to handle these Christmas decorations, but no. It is usually just Mrs. Claus. Mom, I love you and without all of this it would not feel like Christmas. God Bless you.

I was asked to help fluff the trees and hang ornaments. We have had fake trees since the year we thought our tree was just extremely thirsty, but in reality there was a crack in the stand and all the water had been soaking  into the floor. By the time the situation was realized the wood floor was ruined!! (No more real trees for the Hudsons.)

Where was I? Right, fluffing. Ok, fluffing. Check. Ornaments, seems like an easy task right? Wrong. It might be easy for some people, but for me (a procrastinating perfectionist) I wanted to make sure the tree had a  balance of red vs. gold ornaments. Then of course every ornament has a story to tell and I got to pick a special place for each one... (all 200 of them!)Two and a half hours later I stood back in wonder and appreciation.

Here are a few pictures of my favorite ornaments:

{How cute and special is this one on the left! That is a lot of Christmases together you two!}

{I remember pretending as a kid that the little ladies on the right were me and my sisters.}

My mom has been collecting a few of the Danbury Mint

gold ornaments every year since my sisters and I were little. 

Now we each have a box of our own for our individual Christmas trees.

These ornaments are the most detailed and sparkly ornaments on the tree!

I am officially in the Christmas spirit!

ps: Tree #2 lost it's stand somewhere amidst the winter wonderland, but my dad wrestled the thing into sturdy and straight submission after much concentrated effort and a little sweat. Way to go!