Category: Christmas

We bought our first inflatable Christmas decoration since Homer Simpson was stolen from outside our house. That happened before James was born. We tried it out in the living room and James just loved it, watching the little styrofoam snow pellets whiz all around the globe. Right before Christmas we went into a nursery and they were selling a big animated Santa with 2 elves for about 75% off (it was the last day before Christmas that they were open and they said they did not want to store it) so we picked that up as well.

Needless to say the house was very well decorated that year.

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James really got into the Elmo thing this year so we got him a couple of those Elmo dolls that dance and play. A white Christmas made the decorations out front look that much better. We really put a big effort into the outside decorations as we have the archway and Rudolph decorations. It should be noted at this time in his life Rudolph is James favorite movie and will watch it once a day (but no more than once a day).

We had a chance this holiday season to visit both Canterbury Village (where he got to ride on the carousel with dad) and Bronners so we did not let the weather hold us back from showing James a good time this Christmas. Thanks again to all the relatives for the gifts that they sent James this year.

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This was James first Christmas and because of that it was probably my favorite one of all. A quiet but fun time at home with the newborn. James seemed to enjoy the atmosphere and all the presents, he played with some, other were for when he gets older. Its kind of tough shopping for a newborn, most of the toys say 6 months and up but Idgie and Lucy helped him look over his gifts and I am sure they would be happy to show him how to play with them.

He seems to genuinely like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and the Bumble snow monster. I remember being scared of the Bumble when I first saw Rudolph.

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The Christmas celebration was in Trenton and Natalie and Renee came into town to help in the celebration. James Dad was very sick with a cold this day and spent Christmas in bed so Mom and Dad missed this one. It looked like an awesome time as Aunt Louise met her Great Grandson Jaden. Aunt Peg made it and took these pictures which amazed alot of us when we saw them because they are pretty good pictures, no thumbs or fingers in front of the lens or anything.

At the time we did not know that this would be the last Christmas celebration at the house in Trenton which was known for parties.

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We used to do the Christmas display in the basement since my father was pretty much living in the living room (he was unable to walk in his later years). This year, after over a decade of having Christmas parties in the basement, we moved it up to the living room and decorated the entire house. This made things easier for my mother who’s task was to feed the huddled masses and she did not have to go up and down the steps to do that. This was my mothers last Christmas I believe.

The Christmas party went well and everyone had a good time. While having the decorations upstairs did not have the same atmosphere as having it in the basement, it was much more convenient for everyone since the bathrooms, kitchens, cable televisions, etc are all upstairs.

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There was a little more motivation for the Christmas display and Christmas party this year as we received recognition from the City for our window decorations, just think what we would have gotten if they came into the basement.

More structures built with Styrofoam this year, we buy the Styrofoam where they sell insulation, certainly not at a craft store as it would be too expensive there. Once we cut it to shape, we use toothpicks to hold it together, placing a toothpick into one side about a quarter of the way, then moving the part we want to attach on top of this which usually pushed the toothpick halfway on each side. It also conceals the toothpick. Next we take lights and garland and place these around the areas and borders which makes for a light up house which looks pretty good and is very easy to store. The windows are added to the front by using a knife and garland is added to where the Styrofoam was cut. The windows need to be big enough so that you can decorate the inside from the outside.

From the Styrofoam we are able to build some cool structures.

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This year was the biggest display of all as we actually decorated under the steps. We added Styrofoam insulation to the wall where the doorway is to under the steps and painted them to look like bricks by using masking tape and spray painting very lightly so as not to completely dissolve the Styrfoam.

Once underneath the steps we had more Christmas displays, but you could not walk all the way through, you had to turn around at the end because you would come out at the washing machines which really do not invoke the Christmas spirit.

Many more Styrofoam items this year including a ferris wheel.

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