Finally ready for the holidays

I finally found time to get the christmas decorations up!  We wanted to surprise John as he was in Tennessee this week.  It's kind of fun finding new places for decorations we've used in previous homes.  Also finding a place for a few new things as well!  We 'wrapped' the front door with wrapping paper to resemble a gift with silvery paper and a big red bow.  I put some lights on the 3 bushes, set out the 3 trees, and bought a small light-up snowman.  I even bought icickle lights for the roof line but decided I didn't have the energy to put them up, let alone do it alone!  LOL  I'll save them for next year.  I have pretty much all of my shopping done for a change!  I'm waiting for a few more things to arrive, then I need to WRAP.  Ugh.  At least the worst part is done.

Steph has begun the journey of braces.  She got a palette expander yesterday.  She's doing ok with it but I think it will take her a bit to get used to it and learn to talk better.  In 6-8 weeks she'll get the brackets on and we expect the whole process to be done in just under 2 yrs.  Our dentist has also suggested an orthodontic consult for Katie but she needs to get some cavities filled first.  And we need to find another $1100 to start it!  Ack!

I had hoped to get to JC Penney's for christmas photos while we were in town at Steph's orthodontist appt. but after leaving the orthodontist, decided we didn't have time so had a fast lunch and headed home.  I would have had to go shopping for a shirt for Zack, get everyone cleaned up quick, and FIND the mall, all within about 30 min.  Wasn't gonna happen.  See, the shirt I bought some time ago for Zack came up missing this week!  What the heck!  Along with a pair of jeans!  When we got back home I decided to put together red shirts and santa hats so this a.m. I will get a picture of them in front of the neighbor's sleigh and yard decorations.  I do plan to get some portraits taken soon, not to worry Grandpas and Grandmas.

Riley is on the move! He is officially crawling. Granted it's in slow motion but loving the milestone. Here's a quick video:

Below are a couple outside pics - our house then the neighbor's.  Yeah, Charlie is kind of an 'over-the-top' kind of guy!

Our house...

Kristie and Charlie's house next door...