It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Christmas has come to our house!  I think this is the earliest we've ever seen Santa, picked and decorated a tree, decorated the house, finished shopping, and done Christmas cards.  I'm a  little impressed with myself, but I'll try not to brag :).

Saturday, we went to see Santa.  Instead of going downtown to the "real" Santa (meaning he has a real beard), we went to a local nursery about a mile from our house.

This was the main draw:

As you can see, Miles was beyond thrilled that some of Santa's reindeer had come down all the way from the North Pole to visit.  He was slightly disappointed that Rudolph himself couldn't make it, but he loved the two that did.  I think he said these were Dasher and Prancer :).

Isla was a little cold.  I'm not sure she cared much for the reindeer.

And in the name of going local, we bought our tree there as well.  I think I'll be going back to pick out ornaments for the kids (at least for Isla, Miles will probably get a Batman ornament :)).

Love how the tree looks tied to the car! 

When we got home, we put the tree up (why is it so hard to get a tree straight?????) and decorated the house. 

Then we decorated the tree. 

We're pretty proud :).  It turned out nice. Isla is pretty interested in the ornaments.  We put unbreakable ones down low for her.  We regularly have to rehang them. On a positive note, she hasn't tried to climb it yet!

Here's a little collage of my favorite ornaments.  Some representing each of us.  My parents started giving us a yearly ornament starting about 1994 (I only know that because the first one I got has the year on it!).  I love the tradition and am carrying it on with our kids.  The first one pictured is my favorite.  My parents got it for me 5 years ago when I graduated nursing  school.   It reminded them of Florence Nightingale with the lantern.

The next one is from Grandma and Grandpa M  for Isla's first Christmas.

The third and fourth pictures are the front and back of my favorite one of Miles'.  It was from my parents for his first Christmas.

Then is a fishing bouey snowman for Ben and an Angry Bird (Miles' newest ornament from a craft fair).

Then a high hat for Ben and Miles' train from his third Christmas when he was 2.  He loved it when he got it out this year...must be one of his favorites.

I love that most of the ornaments on our tree have a story and some meaning!

Here is our mantel.  Isla's stocking was a gift last year from Aunt Marta.  I'm hoping to, someday, make or replace the others to match hers better.  I haven't found what I'm looking for and don't quite have the energy to tackle making all new ones...so I'm not sure it will happen this year!

A close up of the snowmen on the mantel.  Sara got them for me at a craft  fair.  I love them!

And our newest Christmas "decoration", the Little People nativity set.  Thank you Christine, Cameron, Peter and Moira!!!  I've been wanting to purchase one of these, but hadn't gotten around to it.  The kids love playing with it and I love that it helps teach the true meaning of Christmas.  Isla especially loves the pretty Angel and the baby Jesus :). 

Last but not least, the nutcracker collection (some of it).  The big ones are down by the front door out of Isla's reach.  The snowflakes are made from craft sticks (like tongue depressors) and painted.  I found it on Pinterest...so addicting!  They were super easy and spiced things up a bit.