It's beginning to look (and feel!!!) a lot like Christmas!

It's obviously looked like Christmas in our house for the month of December, but since it was 85 degrees yesterday, it hasn't really felt like it. I was concerned that decorating may take a while this year with a busy toddler, but I was able to get it done during naps. Yes, she's been napping for longer than 30 minutes! In fact, today was 2.5 hours!!!! I feel like a new woman!

Christmas has been such a fun time with Harper. She loves her nativity scene and kisses baby Jesus all of the time! And any time she sees a nativity scene from the car, she quickly points out Mary, Joseph, and Jesus! I love her precious innocence!

It's always going to be important to us to make sure she knows the real reason for Christmas. But I also think that Christmas traditions are fun! So we did go see Santa, and that didn't go over very well! I ended up in the picture with her, and she looks ticked!

Here is how our house looks during Christmas! I just love it... just wish it was socially acceptable to keep it up longer than a month!

Our tree... Harper loves looking at all of the ornaments.

We implemented a "one finger" rule, and she can touch anything on the tree with one finger. It has worked extremely well! I think if she knew it was off limits, she would want to touch it more. So instead, she hardly pays any attention to it!

Our stockings hang in the kitchen since we don't have a mantle

I added this sign to the baker's rack

The Willow Tree nativity scene... it's my favorite part of the house!

And lastly, I put up the snow village in the bookcases and on top of the T.V.

This is something I love doing! It really doesn't take a long time,

and it's so fun to look at! Most of the houses have a special meaning too.

With an extremely heavy heart, we are heading to celebrate Christmas in Little Rock. One of my dearest family friends was killed in a plane crash this afternoon, along with his wife, and I am beyond devastated. He was 2 years younger than me, and our families did everything together! He lived his life to the fullest, and I'm thankful for the example he set for those around him. I am really ready to be with my family, along with his. Although I know it will be so hard to see his sister and parents, it is where I want to be right now. And on days like today, I am simply longing for Jesus' return!