Oh, Christmas Tree!

It's up! (Finally!) Friday night, Amanda and Jonathan came over and watched...uh...I mean "helped" us put up the tree. (Actually, Jonathan did, at least help Jason lug the 9-foot monster down from the attic and assemble it. )

Norah played contentedly by the fireplace, seemingly uninterested in all the tree-trimming hoopla...but once it was up, decorated, and the lights were turned on, she was awestruck.

Since then, she's been pretty good about leaving the tree alone (I've been nervous for a month or so about how she would fare with the tree--would she pull it over on herself? Would she try to eat the ornaments? Would she attempt to summit its peak?) I did sneak up on her today to find her standing beside the tree with her little index finger extended, as if preparing to gingerly touch it.

I had to laugh at this, because Norah's Bible class teacher has told us several times that she is one of the best students when it comes to "touching with one finger" (a few of their visual aids are fragile, and they instruct the babies to "touch with only one finger") I thought it was a priceless picture, and I love the look on her face ("Mother, may I?").

The tree pretty well looks the same as every other year (with the exception of a new ornament from Gramps to add to Norah's collection). We have, however, added a few new decorations to the house--holly garlands over our big windows in the living and dining rooms, and a new red berries wreath for the front door.

I'm still working on Norah's stocking, but I'll try to post a photo of it hanging from the mantle with Jason's and mine as soon as its finished. Hope you had a great weekend, and all you bloggers--I'd love to see photos of your Christmas tree/decorations, so get to posting!