The older the children get, the crazier our schedules become. So while the girls were dipping chocolates with Grandma B, Nate decided to take the boys to get a Christmas tree. They found a beautiful tree that only needed a little reinforcing at the top so it could hold the star. Okay–Nate covered a wooden dowel (no I don’t know the exact size) with electrical tape and attached it to the top 18″ of the tree and . . . voila!

The baby took a half hour nap while the 4yo took a half hour tantrum.

But good news! All that screaming wore out the 4yo. I got him out of the bath and told him to go put his pajamas on and found him curled up on his bedroom floor fast asleep. He needed the nap so he’d be ready for our All Night Christmas Party that always follows cutting the tree.

When the oldest arrived home (around 10PM) from their YM/YW activity at Temple Square, we could finally all be together and start our traditional All Night Christmas Party. (All together meaning we’re all in the same house–the baby was too tired so I put him to bed.)

It was probably a good thing he missed the tree decorating. He began undecorating it as soon as he woke up. Then when presents appeared underneath the tree, he unwrapped them and tipped the tree over. So now the tree has a cooler under it propping it up. Decorations only adorn the top one-third of the tree, and all the presents have been removed. So far he hasn’t pulled the lights off. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for the next five days.

I’m glad we got a pic of what it looked like  for a few hours before the baby, my children have dubbed Walking Tornado, awakened.