It was my aunt Frances' tradition that I carried on, to have the kids each have a box of their own in which I place ornaments they've made or that I've bought specifically for them through the years. It's a box full of memories that each will eventually be able to take with them when they move away and start decorating their own tree. And each year without fail, it is the most anticipated moment when we can go through each girl's box to ooh and aah over their individual collection. Of course, once they've hung their own ornaments (seemingly all on the same branch, smack dab in the center of the tree) they lose interest in the rest and proceed to play and touch everything while we attempt to keep our patience and finish the decorating.
Once everything is cleaned up and put away and only after all of the lights in the house have been turned off, do we allow the switch to be thrown and the perfectly lit and beautifully decorated tree to shine!
It's a wonderful time of the year and the strongest reminder of the importance of traditions. After all, it's the basis for some of the girl's strongest and fondest childhood memories.
Our sweet baby Katelyn is not a baby anymore. It's a mixed emotion for us, since we're happy and relieved to be leaving the all encompassing baby stage, but sad that it was our last baby, last chance to smell that baby smell and dream of what may be...or at least until grandkids!
A Pirate, Dorothy and Bat Girl...walk into a bar... (insert punchline here)
Check out the ruby slippers on this halloween cutie! 
Megan enjoyed the thrill of scoring us a seat in a coveted restaurant amongst the