Christmas Cheer

The girls love when I take pictures. Not of them, but of things they've set up. They often set up their legos or dolls and ask me to come take pictures, usually with their camera. I don't know what happens to those pictures, I never do put them on the computer! I should start.
But in late November when we set up our Christmas decorations, the girls asked me to take pictures of some of our favorite parts of Christmas decor in our house. So, I did.

This first picture is of a gift from a friend, Michelle - these cute measuring cups came in the mail for me, from a friend who knows I love to bake with my girls. They are my new favorite thing in my kitchen, and I even had to buy a set for a teacher this year! She'll get them today. Hope she loves them as much as I do!

Merry Christmas star I bought at Barbara Cheatley's in Claremont. If you have not been there, you need to go. Whoever you may be, you will love it. Bought this selfishly, for myself, then went back another day to get one for my friend Andrea, too. That's how much I loved it!

 Scuba Stan - he's just a stupid statue we bought from Marshalls years ago - Bobby saw him and for some reason both of us just had to have him. That was back in the era of buying stupid stuff for no reason. We don't do that anymore. I made him a santa hat years ago, just so he wouldn't have to hide during Christmas. The girls are always delighted when his hat comes out and he gets to wear his festive attire.

Smokers - from my Oma in Germany. The short one is Alyssa's, the bigger one is Sidney's. They love them. And the smell from their incense smokers is soooo good.

 My red and white teacup set from one of Bobby's aunts.

 During all this picture taking, Alyssa found a heart in her heart chocolate.

Our German Christmas Pyramid from Birgit and Ralf Walter in Berlin. The girls are amazed how the candle heat makes the fan move. They think it's so cool that we don't have to plug it in!

Detail of the Christmas Pyramid

Something my mom picked up for me last year - looks Norweigan or Swedish to me, but I'm not sure. I just love how it has two girls and a boy, like mine!

My grandparents have picked up something fun to add to the house decorations every year for us - they are usually items that sing or dance or move - my kids LOVE them! This is one of their favorites!

A music box my grandparents picked up for us in Russia.

One of our two big nutcrackers from Costco. The kids LOVE these!

A ceramic wreath my mom made, back in her ceramic days!

Probably the coolest item I've ever bought from one of the kids' school fundraisers - nativity refrigerator magnets! I may find myself setting up the scene often when animals or kings or shepherds go missing, so it's really fun for the whole family!