Christmas at our House

Christmas is just two days away and today we got a request from our Australian friend via her Christmas card to keep our blog updated because she checks in on us and keeps up with us this way.
So, dear Raimonda, here are some things you'd see around our house if you were spending Christmas with us.
We are hosting Christmas dinner this year, so I'll post 'people' pictures in the next few days when we all gather.


a nutcracker reminds us of Christmases spent in Germany


a cute snowman that we've had for many years. It reminds us of the many white Christmases and snowmen we've made over the years - lot of snow this year, but no snowmen in our yard.


so many Christmas cards from friends around the world - also our new Christmas monopoly game slated to be played on Christmas Day


Our centerpiece given by our kids a few years back and a runner made by a dear friend our last Christmas in Woodinville


The reason for the season


A treasured Christmas tree Mark made in his very early school years. I always treasure it and put it in a prominent place.


This was almost our main Christmas tree this year, but with Mark expected home and our hosting Christmas dinner, we felt we needed a real tree, but this one will one day be our only Christmas tree. We're just not there yet - maybe next year.


a close up of some ornaments - among them: old photos glued on orange can lids, hand painted bulbs made by kids/grandkids, popsicle stick angels, bulbs commemorating a first Christmas, a new grandchild, etc. All of them priceless to us and each one with a special meaning.


Our 8-foot live fir tree in all its glory. Note the star on the top. Drew made it about 30 years ago. It's aluminum foil covering a cardboard star mounted on a toilet paper tube. I treasure it and wouldn't trade it for a real silver star!

If you want to see what it looks like outside our house - just scroll down to the previous posting - it still looks like that outside. We are definitely having a white Christmas this year.