This was a busy weekend for us.  Saturday was our traditional "put up the tree day".  All day you ask.  Yes, all day.  Here's why.

You can't just put up the tree.  First of all, you have to test the lights and see if you can figure out why some blink and some don't.  Then you have to run to the store for chicken food (unrelated, but necessary).  Then, because the new puppy can't figure out that the cold outdoors is for the bathroom, you have to shampoo the carpet.  Then, the carpet cleaner leaks, so you have to get out the wet dry vac and go back over the area so it's not too saturated.  Then you have to put up the tree. 

Thus, a short project becomes an all day affair (typical for my projects).  Anyway, we got the tree all up, all the special ornaments put on, including the ones we got in Boston this year, the lights on (with half of them blinking and the other half not), and it actually looks pretty good.  Then we had my cooking, followed by watching White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye.  This has, quite by accident, become our annual tradition.

Then last night, we started what has become very, very dear to me, and that is our Advent season.  Every night we light the advent candles (The first Sunday we light one, and every day of that week.  The second Sunday we light 2, and every day that week, etc.,etc).  We have a Scripture reading, sing a Christmas carol and pray.  It is a sweet time and for some odd reason, the candles seem to hold the boys' attention, so it isn't such a struggle for us to have family worship.  This has become one of the family favorites when it comes to traditions, and it has truly been a blessing.