Getting ready for Christmas

Here are some pictures of us getting ready for Christmas.  There was lots of decorating, baking, craft making, laughs and fun.  This time of year is so magical and all of the preparations leading up to Christmas are just as fun and special to me as the big day itself!

Decorating the Christmas tree. 

Andrew picked out a beautiful live tree from the garden center down the street from our house.

I love the look and smell of a real tree!

Putting the star on top

The finished product. 

 It looks so beautiful I want to keep it up all year long!

My little baker.

We made lots of different kinds of cookies and fudge.

The girls doing some Christmas crafts.

I think one of their favorite things this year was decorating the gingerbread house.

They did a really good job and didn't eat too many of the decorations in the process!