Our Christmas Guest

Guess who has finally arrived to spend Christmas at our house??  Can you spot him in this picture??

Here's one a little closer....

Elfie has arrived!!!  

We haven't had a Christmas tree since the first year we were married (8 years ago).  That first tree was pitiful with only a handful of ornaments on it.  :)  After that first Christmas, we have spent the whole month of December in Alabama with our families.  It's just never been practical to get our own tree.  Honestly, decorating for Christmas was one of those small things to look forward to when we (finally) moved to Alabama.  Anyway, all that being said, going to get our own tree on Monday night was a special treat.  

By the time we came home with our new beautiful tree and finally got the thing in the stand, it was really past bedtime for the girls.  I didn't have enough lights and needed to head back to the store.  The girls put some clustered ornaments on our dark tree and were satisfied to have "decorated" it.  After the girls went to bed, I went to the DG for lights, came home and decked out our halls.  The next morning was almost like Christmas morning.  I left the shades drawn and the lights low, so the tree was really glowing.  The girls oohed and ahhed just like they were supposed to.  To top off the morning excitement, Elfie had arrived just in time to perch himself in our new tree.  What excitement!!  He has been the subject of almost every conversation since yesterday morning.  :)  What a fantastic start to our Christmas season!!  I am so thankful for these children and the joy that they bring to my Christmas!!!