This year, Doug and I have been working on being more grateful for the things we have, and I was thinking as we put up our tree, that some of the things I am most grateful for are things that I remember every year when we put up our tree. First of all would be the tree itself. It isn't the greatest artificial tree, and every year I think I want to trade it in on a pre-lit tree so I don't have to deal with putting on or taking off the lights, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I got this tree when I was taking my neice to get a pair of snow pants at Walmart. We wandered through all the after Christmas stuff, and I found it for $17. I couldn't resist, so I brought it home. It has been a good tree, but now it takes up practically our whole living room. The table next to it is shoved up against the couches so I could get a good picture. I don't know what we are going to do about that.
This ornament is the first one we ever owned. My mother-in-law gave it to us. Doug and I agreed that this is one of our favorite ornaments. It has a porch light that is on, and then it goes out and you can see a couple through the window. Miriam thinks it is funny, but cute.
Miriam put most of the ornaments on the tree herself this year. In years past, I had to supervise a bit more, because all of my ornaments are extremely fragile. I guess that's what happens when you just have you and your hubby for 10 years. This year, she was so cute. She was so gentle and worried that she might break some precious ornament that she loved. She made this one, and said it was her favorite when she picked it up. (It's a melted snowman.) When I asked her later on which one was her fav, she couldn't decide.
These are lights that I bought in 1991 for our tree in our first house. I can't believe that they have lasted all these years, but I love them. They are great when the living room lights are off. The apples light up a brilliant red, and the little candles are amazingly bright. What will I do if they ever stop working? I guess that's what brilliant husbands are for. 
These are this year's new additions. Every year, Miriam and I buy a new ornament or two. The angel is from our trip to Gardner Village on witches night out. Miriam found a twisty glass spiral that you can see in the corner of the Santa picture. Doug thinks it looks like DNA. We decided to call it that, and figured it fit Doug 'n' Amber's tree just right. I think we need a few more, though. The Santa and Snowflake are also from my mother-in-law last year at Christmas. Doug has a whole collection of planes that have been given to him over the years. We forgot to put them on. Maybe I'll get around to it in a few days.
This one was made for me by my Beehives in 1999, the year that we were waiting to get Miriam. It was our last Christmas as just the two of us. I'm glad we have a little one of our own. Ok, so she's not so little, but she was back then.
These are the other 2 on our favorite list. The fishing vest and kreel are from the tree that was made for the Festival Of The Trees by the Young Women in my mother-in-law's ward when my Father-in-law passed away. They took the extra ornaments and made a wreath that hung in her house for several years. When she got remarried, she took the ornaments off and divided them between the kids. Every year when we take these out, I feel like he is celebrating our Christmas with us. They are always put in a place where we can see them every time we walk by. There are many memories on our tree, and every day I have a new favorite ornament. What a wonderful thing to remind me of what is most important this time of year. Thanks for sharing my tree with me.
