this happened today

#1

We used to have a very big and beautiful Christmas tree that we cut down in our backyard (you can read more about that, here).  It was so pretty and I had so much fun decorating it.  But I have a baby/toddler (only 26 days till he's one!) and a 10 month old, 85 pound black lab puppy.  To be honest I'm surprised the tree lasted as long as it did!  Today was the final straw for me, I just couldn't stand sweeping up the needles every 15 minutes so that Riggs (and Tutka :/) wouldn't eat them.  

#2

So this happened:

#3

And then THIS happened:

It really was very sad, but we managed to have some fun too.  We snipped off the biggest branches on the bottom and I carried them out into the back yard where I know the bunnies sleep snuggled under the trees at night.  Hopefully all the branches will help keep them a little warmer at night!  Destroying the beautiful tree that we had loved so much was a little bit like what I imagine a trash-the-dress session is like, except there was no chance of anyone dying (well, except the tree I guess).

It was also fun because we got to decorate again!  We are spending Christmas day with Steve's family, so I had planned on putting everything away before we headed that way, but I changed my mind.  I was just really in the mood to decorate this morning (maybe the negative 25 degree weather has affected my brain).  We had Christmas music playing as I set up the little fake tree of past Christmases and Riggs opened his little box of ornaments.  

Then we went to work decorating the tree, and I am really happy with how it turned out.  It's a pretty homely little tree, but I love it.  I'm so sad that the pictures I took are so washed out, I'm still learning in manual mode and it's hard to tell on the little screen if they're just bright enough or too bright.

I plan on changing the 'Rowan' to 'Riggs this afternoon or tomorrow...
although I do find it kind of funny to have a stocking for Riggs with another name on it.
He is SO NOT a Rowan...lol.

I love all the decorations but I especially love these snow globes my sister made for me for Christmas last year...they are so cute and cheery and vintage looking.  I can't wait to collect more decorations as the years go by, but I also need to figure out some better spots for things.  I didn't have a spot to put up the nativity this year, but hopefully Steve will have time to build the wall of book shelves I have in mind for our den/office area and then there will be plenty of space for all the decorations.  I also want to get some big letters and garland to put above the cabinets in the kitchen, but that will have to wait until next year I guess.  Did you set up any decorations this year that you are especially proud of?  What are your future plans for Christmas decorations?

Hope every one is having a happy Monday, even up here in AK where it is so cold again!