New Christmas Ornaments - 2017

 New Christmas Ornaments - 2017 Edition!

We put the Christmas tree up over Thanksgiving break and decorated it the day after Thanksgiving.  As is tradition, the first ornaments to go on the tree are the new ones we present to the kids.

Alex was first this year.  We couldn't decide on the flute, saxophone (learned to play so she could join jazz band), guitar, choir (plus select choir which she had to audition for) and the school musical.  Because we noticed a musical theme, we went the "general" route and found this beautiful snowflake made out of old hymnal pages.

 Kaitee, Kaitee!  The highlight for her year would be the mission's trip to Guatemala!  We saw this passport ornament and knew that would be ideal for her!  We also found a map of the country online, which included Guatemala's flag.  We shrunk it down and adhered it to the back of the ornament.

 Maddie and her Shopkins!  While she could care less for the show, she loves to collect the pieces!  She comes up with some creative games as she "plays" with the pieces too.  Sometimes it includes her collection of bouncy balls!!  Don't ask me, I'm clueless!

 As a reward from one of the summer reading programs, Will picked out a Sudoku book.  He didn't know what to expect when he picked it out.  We left for vacation the next day and he quickly figured out how to do the puzzles (driving for 14 hours allows time to figure out things like this!)  Since August, he has gone through 5 books and continues to take a book with him wherever we go.

 I added some new ornaments to my collection as well - a few to remember our vacations as well as a Cub's World Series Trophy and Marquee!  I love our Christmas Tree and the many memories it holds.