Decorating was much easier in years past

Sure, we put the tree up weeks ago, but I never got to share with you just how much fun it was this year with Carter's awesome help.

(Those who know me well are already sensing my sarcasm.)

(And probably those who don't.)

(Who am I kidding? Those who don't know me well aren't reading this ole blog anyway.)

But I digress.  Naturally.  Brevity has never been my strong suit.

We got the tree and Christmas decorations out of the attic a couple of days after Thanksgiving and we had it in the house all of four seconds before Carter was tearing boxes open, pulling out lights and decorations and pretty much driving me crazy.

I know, I know, the rest of you probably put your tree up with your precious children while Christmas carols played in the background, homemade cookies baked in the oven, and the story of Jesus' birth was read shortly thereafter.  Not so much in our house.

Nick and I always seem to argue about who's fluffing the branches better and how straight (or not) the tinsel should be.  Add to that an over anxious three year old, and you have a recipe for stress.  However, the tree did go up and now Carter enjoys turning the lights off and on (and on and off, and off and on) every single day.  So without further ado, I present to you the Eason Family Christmas Tree of 2009, with commentary, of course.

Yes, I know the star is missing from the top.  I didn't like the one I had last year and I didn't remember that until broke out the decorations so I bought a new one the next day.  And speaking of things I don't like, this is the last year for that tree skirt.  I'm already eying one at Target that I hope will still be there and at 50% off on December 26th.

Carter hung the ornaments.  Can't you tell?  Not that I don't like all the Christmas ornaments on the bottom row of the tree only, but we did have him help us move them up to more sporadic locations throughout the tree...

...which brings us to the step-stool.  I have a love/hate relationship with this thing.  Love, because, well, it serves it's intended purpose.  Hate, as I'm sure you can guess, because Carter thinks he needs to stand/sit/jump/climb all over it every time it's out.  It's a wonder he hasn't broken a bone.  Yet.

Cisco even helped with the decorating.  Even though Carter is cheesing it up here, Nick is the one responsible for this horrendous case of dog abuse.  He (Nick) thought this was rip-roaring hilarious.  Poor dog.

Taking a break from the tree trimming for a smile.  No, Carter is not five.  He just held his hand up like this in every picture I took of them for some odd reason.

I got him to ditch the high-five in lieu of a kiss for mommy.

The stockings were hung by the chimney tv with care...

Merry Christmas!

Oh, and yes, Olivia is noticeably absent from the festivities.  She was already in bed when we got the tree out, and quite honestly, she was safer in her crib than she would have been underfoot and no doubt on top of the step stool with her brother.