merry christmas

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

 We kicked off the morning of December 1st with opening the first box from our Playmobil Advent Calendar.  I think next year, I would like to have two advent calendars so the boys don't fight over whose turn it is to open the box.  This was the first year that it was a bit of a struggle.  Plus, I like counting down the days & advent calendars are SUPER fun!  ;)

 On Saturday, December 3rd (after lovely pedicures & lunch with my friends, Carolyn & Jacque), Kenton & I took our boys to pick out our Christmas tree!

 Finley wanted me to smell the needles.

 That's the one!

 Me & my boys.

 At home, I put lights on the tree while Kenton strung lights on the house outside. 

 Two little elves helped me put the ornaments on the tree.  We got a tiny tree to put in Finley's room & all the handmade ornaments were saved for that tree.  :)

 All done!  Oh so lovely!

 Out of focus.  :)

 Around the house...

 This year, I displayed my pregnant Willow Tree figure as Mary & am waiting until Christmas morning to bring out Mary with baby Jesus.  :)

 Stockings.

 The only Santa I have in my Christmas decorations.  I'm not really into decorating with Santa, but I particularly like this one's style.  ;)

 Inspired by Pottery barn.

 I pulled together some of our tree branches & our neighbor's holly tree branches to make a swag.

 Artificial wreath for the door.

 Kevin & Outi were getting rid of a couple of boxes of artificial greenery & lights.  So I decorated our chickens' home!  I should have decorated their cedar tree too.  Oh well...next year!  :P

 Finley wanted me to take his picture one night, when I was playing around with the camera settings.  I told him he had to stand VERY still & he did!  Nice one, Finn!

Oh man, oh man!  Christmas is tomorrow!  I just can't wait!  I'm so excited to celebrate the birth of Jesus with my loves.  :)

fall family photos

 On Saturday, November 26th, we had my brother, Erik, take our family portraits.  They turned out great!  See for yourself!

I took some photos of the boys playing on the playground afterward, but they look so washed out & flat compared to Erik's photos.  I couldn't stand to share them on the same blog post.  :P  Thanks for the great photos, Erik!  We've received SO many compliments!  :)

hecht family thanksgiving

 On Friday evening, we celebrated Thanksgiving at my parent's house.

 Everyone contributes different parts of the meal & it's always so fun to taste the yummy food!  :)

 Memaw & her lovely turkey.

 I made a pumpkin pie from scratch for the 3rd year in a row.  I really like the recipe...I just wish I could keep it from cracking.  Still tasted great!

 Good food, wonderful company, great conversation.

 Sleepy Grandpa & Uncle Truls, who had just arrived from Portland via train!

The boys & their games.  ;)