"It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" :)

Tonight I must say I finally feel as though Christmas is right around the corner... This week-end my dad, sister, nephew, and I went to pick-out our live Christmas tree. It is a family tradition we have had... to always have a live one. We usually go to the same place every year to get it too. Normally we drive out and walk around till we find the perfect one and then flag down someone to come and cut it down. This year was a little different because it was raining when we went to pick it out, so instead we chose one of the pre-cut ones in the barn. The tree farm always hands out free hot cider and hot chocolate for everyone as a thanks for buying from them.
Every year when it comes to decorating the tree I somehow end up being the one who helps my dad put the christmas lights on it. He gets very picky about his lights and I suppose that is why no one else likes to help him. He is a perfectionist and it is funny for me to watch him get all flustered... "Teresa, don't step on those lights!" "Teresa, what happened to the string of lights I just had. Why are they now all red and white!!!" "Teresa, are the lights synchronized. They have to be synchronized or it just is not going to work." The usual saying every year. It would not be the same without them though.
We then all have fun with the whole family decorating the tree. Every year my dad makes us all handmade wooden ornaments as part of our christmas stocking stuffers. I have one from every year since '89. They are precious to me. That is what the top picture is of... one of the ones my daddy made me.
After all is said and done we then have a toast with egg nog. Now I am not a huge fan of egg nog, but I will always partake in our family tradition. :)
Now that the Nativity scene is out in our front yard, and the house smells of pine because our Christmas tree is all nice and pretty I can honestly say "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas." For me anyway. :)