'Tis the Season

We waited to put our Christmas tree up this year. We usually do it the day after Thanksgiving, but we were having new carpet installed that following Tuesday so we held out. Friday night Nick got the tree set up  and added all the lights and then Saturday morning we put all the ornaments on it and made it come to life.  Decorating the tree every year is like a walk down memory lane.  So many ornaments from years past years, and various vacations we have taken (we try to get a new ornament on each trip).  I think this is our 10th year putting up the tree so lots of ornaments to go through. Its also funny the way my taste in ornaments has changed throughout the years.  Early on, every single ornament was a snowman and in the white and blue tones.  We have since evolved to a very sparkly tree with lots of ornaments, various shapes and sizes in the gold and red tones (its such a warm tree!).  I cant wait to see what future years will bring as Asher will be making lots of hand made ornaments and most likely want colored lights.  (I think we will move to 2 trees at that point....Mommys pretty tree and then the Family Fun Tree)

I digress....  We decorated the tree and of course Linus just laid there like he always does, not much help at all, but Asher just kept staring at the tree, absolutely fascinated by the lights.  Still every-time we go downstairs he just stares and stares at the tree.  Its magical to him!

After an eventful morning, we continued on our with our festive day and headed into downtown Kennesaw for the annual Santa Parade.  It was Asher's (and my) first Parade!  It was a great day for it...not too cold but not too warm that we felt silly welcoming Santa in December.  We brought Asher in his stroller and found a great place to stand right on Main Street.  Daddy and I took turns holding the baby and waving as everyone passed by.

The parade lasted about an hour and featured lots of festive holiday characters, marching bands, baton twirlers, flag teams, elves, Mrs. Clause,  Jolly ole' Santa and my personal favorite...Real Live Reindeer!

Asher seemed to enjoy himself and we could tell when he got excited.  He would kick his legs and get squirmy in our arms and smile whenever the flag teams, marching bands and any group with doggies would pass by.  He got a little bit tired by the end, but just rested his head on my shoulder and watched the rest of the parade snuggled up to me!

This is such a fun and festive time of year and Asher is at a great age to enjoy it.  Im sure he will not remember any of it, but it brings Nick and I such happiness to watch his face light up, watch him get excited and experience all of this for the first time.