I absolutely love the day after Thanksgiving...Black Friday! Not so much for the shopping, but the official launching of the Christmas Season. I always try to put up the Christmas tree that day. This year is exciting because Zach is more involved in activities. We started the day off by taking Zach to daycare for a few hours so I could work in my classroom. Clara stayed with me. After getting squared away for the next week, we decided to stop by the exchange to see if there was anything worth grabbing. We did gather several articles of clothing for the kids, I put them back and said we might try later. There were very long lines at the few registers at the exchange. So off we went to pick up Zach, eat lunch and put him down for a nap. While he napped, I brought in our Christmas decorations and made sugar cookies (okay, I cut up ready-made dough compliments of Pillsbury) and downloaded a couple kid's Christmas albums. Honestly, my vision of the fun was a bit grander than our actual experience but it was still nice, we have a tree up and the kids are loving the finished product.
The kids, just before we left for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Cherry Blossom Triangle. Clara, so happy to be sporting the much anticipated lighted up Frosty Christmas hoodie from Nana, and Zach in front of our finished Christmas tree.
The rest of the pictures document our process of putting up the Christmas tree.
We have very tight living quarters, so we started out putting the tree up in the most open space we have. Zach and Clara both helped with the stand. Zach absolutely loved the Christmas music.
This has to be the saddest tree around. I bought it with very limited funds in Hawaii when Charlie and I had been married just six months. I was so proud to be able to bring this tree home and set it up. We have often considered replacing it, but ultimately decided to try to hold out until Charlie retires from the Marines. Anyway, both kids helped "spruce" it up by spreading the limbs.
It was at this point I pulled out the Christmas lights and realized we needed to purchase more. This was rather frustrating as I remember these were quite economical and the ones at the exchange seemed rather expensive. Regardless, the tree stayed in the middle of the room and we ran out to the exchange and bought a set of 300 lights for $20 which I was very annoyed about but did it. When I got home I realized that that string of lights was just not long enough. So, I gave up for the day and the house remained a mess. The kids were not bothered at all as they enjoyed the cookies. Clara later enjoyed the very difficult-to-find hot cocoa after I put Zach to bed.
Saturday, I woke inspired to complete the project. I undid the strand of lights and pulled it a bit tighter and managed to salvage one of the better strands of lights by "hiding" the blown bulbs to complete the tree lighting. Putting the ornaments on was easy and enjoyable as we now have several ornaments other than the super cheap balls I have purchased in the past. The kids will be making new ornaments today after church.
Zach, enjoyed the ornaments.
Zach is very drawn to the tree and alternates between being sneaky and trying to get behind it and being respectful of not touching.
Just a funny tidbit, but Zach knows to say cheese for the camera, but he is not intent on smiling. He just delivers a very powerful "cheese" so I think I'm going to have to work on that.
Blaze has a serious love of the Christmas season too. He chews on this sad tree and lurks beneath the branches. Zach has discovered this. Poor Blaze.
You can see the love Blaze has for Zach.
Cute though. Zach is actually quite concerned about Blaze being hungry. I'm going to try to upload the video I have of our conversation at this time. The battery just gave out so I have to charge it before doing more updates.
The kids, just before we left for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Cherry Blossom Triangle. Clara, so happy to be sporting the much anticipated lighted up Frosty Christmas hoodie from Nana, and Zach in front of our finished Christmas tree.
The rest of the pictures document our process of putting up the Christmas tree.
We have very tight living quarters, so we started out putting the tree up in the most open space we have. Zach and Clara both helped with the stand. Zach absolutely loved the Christmas music. 
This has to be the saddest tree around. I bought it with very limited funds in Hawaii when Charlie and I had been married just six months. I was so proud to be able to bring this tree home and set it up. We have often considered replacing it, but ultimately decided to try to hold out until Charlie retires from the Marines. Anyway, both kids helped "spruce" it up by spreading the limbs. 
It was at this point I pulled out the Christmas lights and realized we needed to purchase more. This was rather frustrating as I remember these were quite economical and the ones at the exchange seemed rather expensive. Regardless, the tree stayed in the middle of the room and we ran out to the exchange and bought a set of 300 lights for $20 which I was very annoyed about but did it. When I got home I realized that that string of lights was just not long enough. So, I gave up for the day and the house remained a mess. The kids were not bothered at all as they enjoyed the cookies. Clara later enjoyed the very difficult-to-find hot cocoa after I put Zach to bed.
Saturday, I woke inspired to complete the project. I undid the strand of lights and pulled it a bit tighter and managed to salvage one of the better strands of lights by "hiding" the blown bulbs to complete the tree lighting. Putting the ornaments on was easy and enjoyable as we now have several ornaments other than the super cheap balls I have purchased in the past. The kids will be making new ornaments today after church.
Zach, enjoyed the ornaments.
Zach is very drawn to the tree and alternates between being sneaky and trying to get behind it and being respectful of not touching.
Just a funny tidbit, but Zach knows to say cheese for the camera, but he is not intent on smiling. He just delivers a very powerful "cheese" so I think I'm going to have to work on that.
Blaze has a serious love of the Christmas season too. He chews on this sad tree and lurks beneath the branches. Zach has discovered this. Poor Blaze.
You can see the love Blaze has for Zach.
Cute though. Zach is actually quite concerned about Blaze being hungry. I'm going to try to upload the video I have of our conversation at this time. The battery just gave out so I have to charge it before doing more updates.
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