Christmas is upon Us

The Pearsons have FINALLY brought Christmas home. 

We started by having a movie night with Jaxon, complete with popcorn & lights out. Our traditional Christmas kickoff movie is Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. It's definitely a Pearson favorite. 

This weekend we trekked to Brian & Kelly's Christmas Tree lot to get our tree from Brian's best friend, Mike. 

Brian & I have very differing views on what a perfect tree is. 

Brian likes tall, skinny and sparse.

I like tallish, fat and full. 

I really wish I would have taken a picture of the tree Brian wanted. It was ridiculous. It was probably 9 feet tall, but had like 5 branches. No joke. It was sad. 

 So we have to compromise. 

I can't say that I'm thrilled with it, but it smells good so I'm happy.

Part of my willing to compromise was the fact that I was so thrilled to be choosing a tree with all 4 of us together. Last year I was so sad knowing that my sweet girl was in a hospital by herself, with the possibility of spending Christmas without us. This entire month I can't help but think about last year and what a terrible feeling that was. I am beyond thrilled to have feisty little Reese share in our Christmas traditions. All I can say is that she has done very well! 

Hard to believe this is the same girl.
(Sorry, I couldn't resist a little then & now)

Wow! How much babies grow in a year.

She actually was happy to be held by her brother

But all good things must come to an end.

Love my Santa helpers.
Seriously, can't get over how much she has grown and how far she's come!

Then off to home went to decorate it.

Reese was happy to pull things out of the boxes.

Who can resist a chunky ruffled baby bottom? Not me!

Ta daa!
Look mom no hands!

Love this picture. Wish it wasn't blurry.
I should really learn how to take pictures.

Trying to get a picture of the kiddos in front of the tree.

Little girls apparently are too busy to sit still for a picture.

Once the cranky lady went to bed the 3 of us decorated the tree. I absolutely love this! I love looking at each of our ornaments and remembering the year we made it or bought it. 

Years ago I bought a star to top our tree. I left it at my parent's house and forgot about it. This year my mom found it just in time. 

Too bad that it doesn't fit well. Brian had a heck of a time putting it on the top and now it's super crooked. Oh well. Who's going to tell him to take it down? Not me.

Again, I need to figure out this camera.

Sally the Elf showed up at my parent's wearing a skirt. Isn't she cute?

To top off our Christmas kick off weekend we visited Santa. 

Checking out the elf.

Wondering why the little girl on Santa's lap is screaming her
head off. 

Right about now, Brian & I started to wonder how Reese would do. Neither one of us had given it a second thought.

Brian handed her over to the Big Guy and she was thrilled! She took to Santa right away. No tears, no squirming, just in total awe of this magical man.

The official picture.

I have a video of Jaxon telling Santa he wants ocean animals and that Reese wants lots of dolls, all the while Reese is admiring him. But. Blogger won't post it. Grrrr!