Christmas is all about preparation, but I think we've come a long way from the initial preparation that announced Christ's birth.  Usually I don't get too crazy, but I've had to keep reminding myself this year to put on the brakes and not try to "do it all"!

A fun part of preparation this year was having the girls to help us.  We had them over the weekend so that their parents could have some much needed R&R.  Earlier in the week hubby had gone out and picked out a tree at our local Christmas tree farm and put their names on it.  On Saturday we ventured forth in the cold, biting wind.  The girls were told we needed to find a tree with their names.  They were very excited to find it.  Isobel shouted "Timber!" as we cut it down.

You can see from Mei-Mei's face how cold the wind was.  When we got it home, hubby got it all set up and the lights put on and then Isobel and I decorated it.  Mei-Mei was supposed to help, but when I looked around, she was gone.  I found her in her bed, fast asleep!  Picking out a Christmas tree is hard work.  After a good nap, she was content to play quietly with the Nativity Set while Isobel and I made turtles.

Later in the afternoon we went to the local Christmas village.  The highlight for both girls was feeding the animals.  Mei-Mei especially liked the alpacas.  She giggled every time the alpaca took the grain out of her hand.

At one point in the weekend I had left my sock knitting on the couch.  Mei-Mei very gently picked it up and brought it to me.  "Here Nana – you need to put this in your knitting basket so I can't find it." 

We're so looking forward to having Christmas with them and their parents again this year.  We try to keep the gifts to a minimum and instead focus on Christ's birth and the importance of family.  Every year before we open gifts we read the Christmas story.  A different family member reads each year.  This year will be a highlight because it will be Isobel reading the story!

Merry Christmas to all my readers.  I really do this blog for myself and my family, but I so appreciate all the friends (real and imaginary!) that I've made through blogging.  May God bless you all this coming year.

In closing – a new scrapbook page featuring an upcoming new artist: