Holiday Pictures

For the last week, I've been planning and fretting and preparing for last night's party. In the end, the decorations were up, the fireplace was lit, the food was declared a hit, and our guests stayed and chatted and visited for four hours. Which, I think, qualifies as a success. A few pictures from around the house--

Train set in the living room. We have quite a few pieces, but only a few up last night, since it takes up so much space:

Formal tree in the living room:

This is the tree in our den. It's much less formal and has ornaments from our childhoods, as well as ones we've collected from places we've visited:

The stockings were hung....One for each of us and a little pink one for the one-to-be:

Two guests kindly brought sparkling grape juice/cider last night, since I wasn't drinking the wine or other alcoholic beverages that we served along with the soda and water. There was no question, however, that something was different about between me and the approximately 9 other women who were there last night. See the picture below? I'm the round one on the end... ;)


Despite being up late last night, we were up early this morning because we had been asked to light the advent wreath at the early church service this morning. After the service, I was chatting with another church member, when a third that I recognized only be sight came up, rubbed my stomach, and commented on how at this time next year there'd be another little one. And then she moved on. This is another milestone, I suppose. The first "stranger" who has taken it upon herself to rub me like a lucky Buddha. I know other women are completely freaked out by this, and I actually found that I don't care that much, but still, it's weird. When else in society is this considered acceptable?

Kevin helped me set up my Christmas gift this afternoon. My old one was over 4 years, and while not ancient by any means, was not quite able to keep up with the demands I was making on it. This one is noticeably faster, and has a much sharper image. Crazy how rapidly technology changes. We'll be cleaning up my other one and donating it to a good home.

So next on the holiday to-do list? Shopping. Because yes, I am still not done. In fact I've barely started. So I'll be the woman running around to the packed malls this week and hitting up the online stores in order to make all this happen in the one week I have remaining. Eeks!