Two days in one...

This post will be two in one as I was swamped yesterday. My apologies...

Yesterday we purchased our Christmas tree. For 3-4 years now (actually, I believe this is our 4th year), we have been purchasing our Christmas tree at Larry's Produce in Suisun Valley. If you haven't been there, you should go. It's on Suisun Valley Road.

They have mini trees, like Charlie Brown trees, but with more branches. They also have medium to large trees. I couldn't tell you what type they are because I was just interested in a big, full tree..and the type didn't matter. :) Their trees are a really great price (mediums and large same price, not sure what the mini ones are priced at).

This year we got a medium sized tree. It's about 6 feet tall and not that wide. It's actually perfect because in the past when we got home from getting our tree, we'd have to shave off an inch or two on the bottom. This time it fit right in. :)

Lights are on it right now, but no ornaments yet. I have to gather all the kiddos so they can "help" decorate it. Doesn't that spell disaster??

Speaking of ornaments (which is supposed to be today's post, yesterday's was the tree), I'll have to go out and get some new ones. Actually, last year I decided that it would be a great tradition to have the kids hang their own ornament, one they chose themselves. However, when I decided that, none of the kids were with me and I was already out. So I bought them an ornament each. Maybe the tradition should be a new ornament that I picked out for them, huh? :)

I purchased the ornaments at Cost Plus World Market. I love them! They're different...and CUTE!!!

The main reason I purchased the ornaments there is because I fell in love with this one

Oh yeah...I LOVE IT!!! The downside is, it's one of those that can break easily. So it hangs at the top of the tree and I'm the only one that can touch it.

They had a few different types of cameras, but in the end I chose this one. I wonder if they have these this year. If they do, I'm definitely getting a new one! :)

Happy tree decorating everyone! I'll post a picture of the finished tree tomorrow. :)

Day 2...Music to my ears

Day 2 of the 25 days of Christmas Goodness is the sweet sounds of Christmas melodies. Fa la la la la..la la la la. That actually reminds me of the most recent Target commercial where the lady is in the greeting card aisle recording herself singing in a few recordable cards. It's hilarious!

Whenever I hear Christmas music, I picture myself laying on the couch under a warm, soft and comfy blanket (preferably one of those Korean blankets because they keep the heat in), drinking hot cocoa (with marshmellow cream), while watching a Christmas movie on tv (my first choice...Elf with Will Ferrell.) All that sounds good, huh? Makes me want to drop everything I'm doing now and make that happen :)

Since the above can't always happen, my next choice is to listen to the Christmas station (96.5 KOIT) while driving. I love KOIT because they actually get you in the holiday season even before Thanksgiving! It's funny when I change it to that station with the boys in the back of the car because one of them will say "Mommy...I know that song. That's the Christmas song." I say, "That IS a Christmas song." Then I sit and hope that they won't ask me to change the station because they don't know the song and can't sing along. Because they do that :)

When I hear Christmas music, I think of three things: 1- Me standing on the piano chair when I was about, I wanna say 5, singing Jingle Bells while my sister and cousin attempt to play the song on the piano. 2- The Mariah Carey Christmas CD (the one with "All I Want for Christmas") that I left in my sister's car which I never got back. Who knows where it is now... 3- My Nsync CD (yes...I said...Nsync) that my sister borrowed many years ago and never returned. It's in the land of the lost (with Mariah) and she has yet to purchase me a new one after years of reminding her what a great gift it'll be. Maybe this is the year. Shall we place a bet on this? :)

(album cover from www.mariahcarey.com)

There are millions of Christmas songs out there. I don't have a favorite one...I have FOUR! The first is "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" that's in the Home Alone movie. That's a classic. I also love Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas", TLC's "Sleigh Ride", and Nsync's "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays".

What are your favorite Christmas songs?

My Christmas Challenge

Tonight I'll be starting my 25 days of Christmas Goodness blog posts. Yep, you read that right. Twenty. Five. Days. But it's all Christmas related...and don't we all LOVE Christmas?

Up first for the 25 days will be gifts for photographers. This is a great start because it will give you 24 days to shop for any of these items for the photographer in your life (*hint, hint Babe) :)

I'll start with the least expensive ones because face it, the expensive ones deserve to be on your list, even if you know you won't be getting it. You never know though...you may have been really good this year. :)

1.       Referrals - FREE (that's the greatest gift of all) :)

2.       Camera Necklace @Amazon.com

3.       Starbucks Gift Card (because we all need caffeine for all the late night editing)

4.       Canon or Nikon Lens Mug @ Adorama.com

5.       Boudoir Divas Gift Certificate (starting at $10) @ boudoirshop.com

6.       MCP Actions Gift Certificate (starting at $25) @ mcpactions.com

7.       Scott Kelby “The Digital Photography Book” Series (There should be 3 volumes. Great for those starting out.) @ Barnes and Noble

8.       Scott Bourne Book “Going Pro” @ Barnes and Noble

9.       Bryan Peterson “Understanding Exposure” Book @ Barnes and Noble

10.   Animoto Gift Certificate @ Animoto.com

11.   Digital Frame (to show off all the photos they’ve taken)

12.   Mod is Modern Camera Strap @ modstraps.com

13.   External Hard Drive (because we always need to backup!!!)

14.   Me Ra Koh DVDs @ refusetosaycheese.com

15.   Mike Colon DVDs @ mikecolon.com

16.   Photoshop Elements 10 (Photoshop CS5 would work too, but Elements is much cheaper)

17.   Kelly Moore Camera Bag @ kellymoorebag.com

18.   Shootsac Camera Bag @ shootsac.com

19.   Photoshop Lightroom 3

20.   iPad2 (hey…I had to J)

Another great gift to give a photographer is your love and support :)

Have fun shopping! Come back and tell me what you bought.. :)

Happy Memorial Day!!

Thank you to the servicemen and women who have fought and died for our country, and to those who continue to do it. You guys (and gals) are brave and are true heroes.

I hope everyone has enjoyed their weekend and are out enjoying today's sunshine. :)