Deck The Halls!

Tonight we decorated our Christmas Tree.
We have a tradition in our family, we give each other an ornament every year that represents what happened that year, or we give an ornament that we can write on all of the things that have been accomplished that year.
So, decorating the Christmas Tree is a walk down memory lane. The boys ask Brad to read to them what was written on the ornament or to tell them why that ornament was chosen for them. It makes us smile, laugh, and sometimes we even get a little teary eyed. It is one of my favorite nights of the year. We have a beautiful life!

The moose at the bottom of the page was given to Tyler in the ER on his first Christmas. We took him out of the hospital for the first time on Christmas Eve of 1999. The next day we were back in the ER for another blood transfusion. We thought the moose's sweater might fit Tyler, so we tried it on him. It was too big. The thought of Tyler in a stuffed animals sweater still makes me laugh!

Each one of these ornaments has a story or a special memory that goes with them.

Over the past couple of days, I have had these two little elf's helping me decorate for Christmas!
I have so enjoyed them!

I collect Christmas Books. In the Corner of this photo (by the lamp) is part of my collection. The book on top is an Erickson Family Favorite, A Snowman Named Just Bob. It is a charming book that reminds me of my Dad.
The boxes under the tree have Christmas toys or books for my kids to play with.

This is an Erickson Family Heirloom. I feel so blessed to have it in our home!
This was my Mom and Dad's. It was a gift to them from my Aunt Sheryl.
It was a Christmas Tradition to have this Nativity on our mantle all growing up.
The little pieces of hay that you see there is the same hay that I would sprinkle over the Nativity when I was little.
This morning before Tyler left for school he sifted through the shredded news paper in the box and carefully pulled out each piece. We talked about the birth of our Savior and why we celebrate Christmas. Growing up, I can remember setting up this very Nativity. I am sure that my Mom and I shared a similar tender moment while decorating for Christmas at out childhood home.

These are the same stockings we had growing up.