"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"

One tradition that Dan and I have is that we purchase an ornament every time we go on a trip together. The tradition began in Maui on our honeymoon in 2003 with these fun ornaments!


I love the hang ten board shorts on the starfish santa. You will have to come visit our tree to see some of our other ornament treasures!

I bought this fun Christmas paisley table cloth the other day. I love that it is Christmasy without being cheesy.

My favorite new Christmas item is something that I have been wanting for awhile: it is an advent calendar. The one above is an advent Christmas village that I got at Costco for $10!!! I can't wait to hide Christmas bible verses and treats for our kids when we have some and they are old enough.

The outside of the house is still a work in progress. Dan and Sam are putting up lighted garland on our wrap-around porch while listening to football through the piano room windows.

I always love a cozy fireplace and the addition of our simple Christmas stockings makes ours extra cozy. Dan and I have another tradition: we usually don't give each other expensive presents we set a limit ($20 or so) and our challenge is to fill each other's stocking with fun items and treats.


My top four favorite Christmas albums this year are Christmas Together with Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Charlie Brown Christmas, Diana Krall Christmas, and my newest album So Much Joy by the musicians of Grace EV Free La Mirada. What are your favorites? (There are soooo many great albums out there and only a month to listen!!!)

I hope this post finds you all taking time to not only enjoy the fun traditions of the Christmas season but also time to think about the amazing gift of grace and mercy in the birth of Jesus Christ who laid down his life for all people in all times.

Come thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a Child and yet a King.
Born to reign in us for ever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
- Charles Wesley

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend! Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

- Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847