it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

And the prettiest sight you'll see

Is the holly that will be

On your own front door

-"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"

This time of year is without a doubt my favorite.  The joy, love, and cheer everywhere is palpable.  Everyone seems happier and more generous.  Not only that, but the decorations!  I decorate for Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving, something many people would debate, but seriously...a month of decorations is simply not enough.  Not to mention I decorate my Mom & Dad's house too.  The memories of Christmases past come flooding back and everything seems to make me smile.  I remember the Christmas I first got to stand with my brother at Mass in his military dress uniform.  I was SO proud!

This my parent's beautiful tree.  Even though this is a photo from last Christmas, their tree always looks gorgeous.  I love being "home" during Christmas.  There is no place that holds so many wonderful memories of cookie baking, family time, Christmas morning, Christmas breakfast, and family traditions than here.  I look forward to one day making the same memories in a home with Aaron, Brutus, and, we hope, our children.

Aaron made sure that Christmas would be an unforgettable time for us both when he asked me to be his Wife on Christmas Eve in 2009.  He got down on one knee in front of the whole family.  It was so magical and romantic I could barely get my answer out through the tears of joy.  This picture was taken the day after we got engaged.  We are so happy.

Toasting our engagement at Grandmama & Opa's on Christmas Day that year was wonderful.  Announcing that I was to be married on Christmas Day surrounded by family made it so special.

Another picture of my Mom and Dad's.  Aaron's stocking joined the rest:)  It's the green one next to Tad's.  This picture makes me so excited for this Christmas.  Especially because it's Brutus' First!!

I think Aaron has enjoyed Christmas with my family thus far too.  He gets SPOILED.  Like last year when he got his Chiefs blanket and a new net-book.

Last year, our first Christmas as Husband & Wife, he read the story of Christ's birth at Grandmama & Opa's house on Christmas Day.  This was a huge honor and a touching form of complete acceptance into the family.  I was almost in tears.  He did a wonderful job.

Christmas brings another memory for Aaron and I.  December always marks the halfway mark to another Wedding Anniversary.  Remembering our Wedding Day is a special way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Last year our Christmas card included this picture and said: Eat, Drink, and Be Married!  I think it was quite appropriate.  Not to mention we absolutely love this fun picture of our wedding party.

In celebration of St. Nicholas Day Brutus received a "stuffing-free" reindeer toy.  He LOVED it.

That is the face of a stinker and this little stinker promptly tore up his reindeer toy into pieces.  Stuffing or no stuffing, this toy was toast the moment he started tearing it apart.

Even if he is a stinker, he is our baby.  Our Christmas card this year had this picture on it and said "Someone's on the naughty list this year.  Merry Christmas! Love, The Weirs."  There was no need to put Aaron and I on the card with this adorable face.  He has no idea the level of spoiled he will achieve on Christmas Day.  He has three times as many presents as me!

Brutus came over to Grammy and Papa's house to watch Elf and played like a crazy dog the entire time.  I don't think we spent much time watching the movie...most of the time was spent taking pictures of the hilarious faces he was making.

I don't even know what's going on here.  That face...I can't get enough, it is so CUTE!

This toy, which was bought to replace the small blue Kong he had since we picked him out, took less time to meet its demise than the reindeer.  This one was stripped down in two hours.  Stuffed toys are no more in this house.  Our big boy is too powerful.  Or so his Daddy says.

It is getting cold outside so we put an extra blanket on Brutus' bed.  He clearly doesn't mind being all snuggled up.  Daddy is a little jealous, though, it is his favorite old blanket.

The Weir household is ready for Santa.  I had a wonderful time decorating our home, for the first time:)  I think I did a satisfactory job.  Brutus seems to like it, despite his attempts on the tree, and loves to sit on the couch and observe the lights on the tree.  And I use the word "observe" because that is exactly what he does.

Our tree:)

The kitchen window:)  I think the neighborhood is laughing at the amount of window clings I put up, but come on...if it's not snowing yet at least I make it look like it is!

The true reason for the season: Baby Jesus.  In my family it is a tradition not to place the baby in the manger until Christmas Eve.  

I LOVE this wreath!  I purchased it for $15 at the Country Fair Boutique and I think it was a steal.  Definitely the best wreath I have seen in the neighborhood thus far.

This was last year's ornament.  "Just Married" 6.12.10.  Puts a huge smile on my face:)

This was our first Christmas, which Aaron and I picked out before we got engaged.  I love it.  Classic Mall Ornament.

My Mommy and Daddy gave us this ornament.  "First Christmas Together."  It was a wonderful Christmas.  Buying my "Husband" a Christmas present (or two or three or four) was very fun.  I was a happy Wife as well:)

It wouldn't be a true Weir Christmas Tree without our STL Cardinals.  2006 Champs and NOW 2011 Champs!!  

The next two weeks are sure to be filled with joy, laughter, and Christmas spirit.  Now that we have decorated and prepared all that's left is to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.  Oh, and wrap a whole mess of gifts.

I am looking forward to watching all my favorite Christmas movies, including "White Christmas."  I think I will save this for closer to Christmas as I continue to cross my fingers for a snowy, perfect Christmas morning.

I have to admit, I am tickled thinking of Brutus opening all of his gifts on his very First Christmas Morning.  I know he will LOVE all of his presents.  He and I even made Aaron a special gift that will be a huge surprise and, I think, will be enjoyed.  So have a wonderful 12 Days of Christmas and I cannot wait to fill you in on the exciting Christmas events in our household next week.  Cheers to a wonderful holiday season and don't get too many blisters wrapping those gifts:)

the gifts we've been given

He who thanks but with the lips

Thanks but in part;

The full, the true Thanksgiving

Comes from the heart.~J.A. Shedd

Thanksgiving!  A time for celebrating all the blessing you have and giving thanks.  The Weirs had their SECOND Thanksgiving as Mr & Mrs this year in our usual fashion, two Thanksgivings!  We went to Aaron's sister's home for Thanksgiving lunch.  Brutus tagged along for his very first Thanksgiving and played his little puppy heart out in the backyard.  The girls didn't waste any time finding Uncle Aaron and giving him hugs!

Jordan joined in the fun too.  They sure do love their silly Uncle Aaron.

All the girls looked adorable in their Thanksgiving dresses.  The Rio birds joined in too.  Jordan's new favorite movie includes these wacky birds and she found some stuffed parrots to come to our Thanksgiving dinner.

Riley and Uncle Josh.

Jill, John, and Jordan.  So cute.  Jordan looks so much like her mommy:)

Little Charlotte wasn't so little anymore.  She was walking and talking.  She loved watching Brutus play with the "Ball!" and letting all her Uncles and Aunts hold her.  And let me tell you, the girl can eat some mashed potatoes like nobody's business.

Jordan and Mommy spent some time together, but most of the time the girls were playing dress up and Barbies in the basement playroom.  Sound familiar?  Sounds like exactly what Sydney and I used to do during holidays and family gatherings.

I was so glad Kevin joined us this year.  I think Jan, my wonderful Mother-In-Law, was too!

See that pointed finger?  Charlotte wanted her Aunt Viki a lot, especially when I was playing photographer.  I think it may have had to do with the fact that I gave her some mashed potatoes...

These two were quite the cuddly couple throughout the afternoon.

What is Thanksgiving without football?  The boys had their Fantasy stats up and ready to go.  Does not surprise me at all.

I think this was one of many Pepsis that Taia "accidentally" got out of the fridge and started drinking.  Uncle Josh definitely didn't mind getting a little love from his oldest niece.

Baby Charlotte was so cute I couldn't get enough of her:)

The table settings were gorgeous.  Becky did a wonderful job, it was like something out of Better Homes and Gardens.

The little girls got to chow down first.  I loved the lunch tray set up.  As you can see, the mashed potatoes were popular here as well.  

The spread was incredible.  I definitely held back considering I had another full meal that night.  Those two dished of green bean casserole were my contribution to the meal.  I love being a Misses and bringing an official dish to the holiday meals.

The Schneider Family Thanksgiving was an event.  The food was delicious, the company was entertaining, and the atmosphere was cozy.  The McElwains joined us this year and the boys were SO big.  Evan is a total guys guy.  He even watched the football games with Daddy.

Caleb and Grandpa cuddled on the couch after dinner.  Brown bear, Caleb's special stuffed animal, came for Thanksgiving too.  Grandpa attempted to steal him away, but Caleb would have none of that.

Surprise!  My handsome hubby was having football time for the second time.

Opa catching up with a few of his grandchildren.

We were so happy to have Tad's girlfriend Veronica joining us.  They are quite adorable together.

We even got to celebrate a birthday, Ally-bug turned 4. (And my Daddy had a birthday too!)

Little Ally was not feeling too well.  That's ok...Daddy will blow out the candles for you!

She still looked like a little princess, even if she had a cold.

Nanny T made another one of her amazing cakes for Ally's birthday.  A Pink Butterfly!

Opa & Trey.  Troublemakers, the two of them.

Sydney was home from school and I was so happy to be able to catch up on her college experience thus far.  We talk every week, but seeing her at home was wonderful.  I miss her being home.

Brutus got a little Thanksgiving gift himself on Black Friday.  He got a new, adorable stuffed toy which only took him 1 Day to completely destroy.  Mommy learned a lesson about which toys big boy dogs need.  

I am so thankful for this past year of marriage, for Brutus, my wonderful family, and for the love God has shown me.  I know that I do not deserve any of it and that makes me all the more grateful.  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  Now...let the Christmas season BEGIN!