We had a busy weekend as a family and it was all about Christmas 2011.  After my very peaceful and ME centered Saturday morning, reality hit it was family time as we headed downtown to Chicago’s Christkindl Market.

This  has become a sort of tradition for our family even though hubby HATES the cold.  So for a month preceding the designated date, the kiddos are bouncing off the walls and hubby is bitching up a storm grumbling.  Michael has been begging to go to Santa’s House since July when we started singing our first Christmas carols.  Trust me when I say that Christmas is a big deal at our house.  I have always loved this holiday the most and it seems that the kids love the music and holiday lights just as much as I.  Hubby is a good sport about the season, and even seems to reluctantly enjoy it even though it is always usually cold.  Here we are enjoying the Glühwein, a hot spiced wine…….love me some good German Festivities even with Mr. Grumpy.While the kiddos were enjoying the warming tent, carmel corn and some cinnamon & sugar candied almonds.But everyone one knows we really came to see the best Santa ever!  I really enjoy the Santa at Daley Plaza.  It’s the same one each year and they always take your photo for free.  Nice touch.  Each year Santa’s House gets larger and this year, we even had a short period where we were able to wait indoors and shed the winter clothing for a nice photo.  I, however, didn’t shed my clothing cuz I didn’t realize I was going to sit on Santa’s lap be in the photo.

We also looked at the Macy holiday window displays, went up to the Walnut Room to look at the Great Christmas Tree and then we headed home.  It was a short day due to Mr. Grumpy the kiddos not feeling great and the large crowd sizes.  Here is a photo of the tree in the Walnut Room at Macy’s….I stole this from Maggie – Run for Pi(e), we tried to go up to take a photo but that didn’t work out quite as we planned. 

Today……Tacky Christmas OFFICIALLY arrived.  We usually wait a little longer to haul out the shit Christmas decorations since I we like a real tree.  If we get the tree too early then it dies because Aby forgets to water it before Christmas & New Years.  I must say that I used to pride myself on elegant and sophisticated Christmas decor but that has all gone to shit  out the window with the addition of a husband little ones to the family.  We now have lots of “extra” decorations for the children, and it also seems that our house has become the dumping ground we have inherited every handmade, crocheted item from our grandparents.  Since I am apparently not as sensitive as some, it is easy for me to throw out the crap pick and choose the items that fit into our holiday theme and donate the pieces that other’s might enjoy more for their homes.  However, not everyone in this household is a cold-hearted bitch like me and we now have A LOT of randoms.  So please, meet Tacky Christmas 2011……Really happy with the tree this year.  We purchased it locally, about 5 minutes from our home.  We didn’t cut it down, just went to a lot and picked it out with the kiddos.  Easy and still fun cuz they got to pick.  Ornaments include remnants I’ve had from days gone by, Mick & I’s childhood ornaments, ornaments given to our children, and a hodgepodge of life’s blessings.

Random overflow hits the playroom.

Plastic holiday table-cloth with window decor to match.

Tree of homeless/misfit ornaments.

Crocheted items from Grandma’s of Long Ago.

Mini Christmas Tree X2….there is another one floating around the house somewhere!

We have had a fun weekend and really enjoyed putting up Tacky Christmas 2011.  It’s all in good fun and the kiddos LOVE it.  I try not to move too many ornaments around when they go to bed  be OCD about the way everything looks cuz it really is about the kiddos at this point in our lives.  And if Mick wants to hang a crotched Christmas Card Basket from Grandma Long Ago, that’s okay too.  Memories are a wonderful thing.  However, the biggest thing for me is to constantly remind the kiddos that “Jesus is the REASON for the Season”.  I normally always take them to church on Christmas Eve; however, the service is late this year at 9pm.  Sigh….we will never make that…..too late for Mr. Michael. 

I hope all of you have a very joyous holiday season!

Peace on Earth….Good Will To Men……..                                                                       Amanda – TooTallFritz