I'm not sure if it's the pregnancy, the holiday chaos, the economy or what, but I'm feeling especially "bah humbug" this year.  If it weren't for Little H being so darn excited over everything Christmas, I would be tempted to dig a hole and hide in it for the next week.  She's been a lot of fun (for the most part).

So we got a tree that, granted, looks a little Charlie Brownish, but it looked so pretty in the lot.  Also, Dan says we're doing our part for the environment by only using half a tree.

                                                     

And we've made a gingerbread house that escaped with minimal damages (note the two missing trees) because H didn't realize until too far into the process that the pieces were edible.  *A special thanks to Costco on this one for having the only Gingerbread House kit we could find that was not Made In China.  It was made in Canada.  It seems that to have one made in the USA, I would have had to bake the pieces myself, and that just isn't going to happen.*

                                                  

We went to the local park to look at the lights with my youngest sisters.  We didn't actually walk around because it was too cold, but they did jump out of the car for this obligatory picture—which should explain why my daughter isn't wearing a coat.

                 

And we went and saw Santa...

                                          

which was just so reminiscent of last year.

                   

I'd have to say it's been a nice season.  I just wish Christmas could be more simple.  Less commercialized and more focused on what it's really supposed to be about.  Something for me to work on perhaps...