Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

Don't you love Christmas?  If you don't, go away, and don't ever come back....kidding...mostly!

We decorated our Christmas tree, which is one of my favorite traditions.  We always get a Noble, and even though I don't like stringing the lights on the tree, you won't find an artificial tree in our house anytime soon.  The smell of our tree is amazing and I love the way it greets me every time I walk in the front door.

This year Aaron added a train under our tree.  It's been fun watching the boys learn to "drive" it, and they play tackle interference anytime they even think Natalie might be trying to knock it off the track.  That's not as fun, but I appreciate their dedication.

This year I have seen several gorgeous trees that are decorated with a theme, beautiful ornaments and decorations, etc.   That's NOT our tree.

Our tree is a trip down memory lane.  It's kind of like Christmas-past threw up on it.  And while I add some ribbon, beads, and white lights to try to "class it up" a little, it really is a reflection of the things we love.   Aaron and I both have our childhood ornaments.  And our children receive, and make ornaments every year.  So, our tree is over-flowing with beloved things from the past and present.

I especially love the way our kids proudly hang their ornaments in the front of the tree (in a clump of course.)  And if you come over, get ready for a tour of the kids' favorite ornaments.

Speaking of favorites...here are few of mine that caught my eye this evening.

This sweet ornament is Natalie's from last year.
It was the last year I got to choose what she "liked."  2010 brings
an obnoxious Dora ornament...and she LOVES it!

This is the 4th time this ornament has graced our tree!  My mom
found this and gave it to me when I was pregnant with Luke.
I love that she is holding an ice cream cone with a pickle in it.

I might not say this is one of my "favorites."  But it was given to me in 1977 and
I love that it still graces my tree.

I'm posting this one with my sister in mind.  We were each given one of these by a "great aunt"
that wasn't actually related to us.  It has to be one of the ugliest ornaments EVER made.
It's hard to tell, but it's a plastic plant, inside a plastic prism, hung with an old pink curling ribbon.
I smile every year when I hang it on the tree. 

Aaron's mom gave me 12 of these ornaments and I treasure them.  Each ornament has a different name for God written in Hebrew on the front and English on the back.   They are filled with white feathers.  Like I said, I treasure them!

There are so many others.  I could go on and on and on.  What are your some of your favorites on your tree?  Create a post on your blog or Facebook and let me know. I'd want to see them!