It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

This was the first year in a while that I didn't do some Black Friday shopping.  Normally, I'll go out about 3-4pm on Black Friday after all those crazy, early morning shoppers are at home passed out.  But this year, I just didn't have it in me.  Instead, I sat at my kitchen table and basically finished my shopping.  I had done quite a bit already and I still have a little to go...but it is nothing I'm worried about.  Now I need to start wrapping!

I did go out earlier to visit with some old friends.  My dear, high school friend, Stacey, was in town and it has become a Black Friday tradition to meet her at some kids play place and let the kids run wild while we catch up.  She invites all her hometown friends and so I've grown to love meeting up with these families.  It's normally the only time I get to see them (except on Facebook) and so I always enjoy it. This year was extra special because it was the first time any of them had met Kylie.  I unfortunately never even thought to take a photo, but my friend, Beth, did bring Kylie a little something...lo and behold, it was the Little People barn and I already had that on our Amazon Wish List to get for her this Christmas!  The child was CRAZY with joy (after her 2 1/2 hour nap)...

She and Jenna played and played in the floor with it.  Then, they started playing in my Thanksgiving Day newspaper.  You know, the one with ALLLLL the ads???

Oh, did she have fun.  While she was occupied, we decided to get the tree up.  That was fine, but it wasn't long after I started decorating that she decided she wanted to "help".

Steve was stuck on the ladder because Kylie did not want to get off!  Finally, she saw I was decorating the tree and decided she wanted to do that too.

Man, Christmas is going to be so much fun with my fixed lens for my Canon!

The only problem was Kylie didn't understand that when you put the ornament on the tree, you LEAVE it on the tree!  She kept trying to take it off!!  She got her hand smacked once which she certainly didn't like, but after that,s he acted like she got it.

I just love these photos.  Such a special day for us.  As we were wrapping up the decorating, our neighbor Ping came to visit.  It was her day off and she tries to get over to see Kylie when she can.  You can see her to the left of our tree...

I can't wait to start getting presents wrapped and under the tree.  I'm going to have to start early this year because I'll only be able to wrap a few at a time with Kylie home...