It’s time for our monthly blog circle! Life by Lens is a project I’m participating in with a group of photographers from across the country. Each month, we post some of our personal pictures. With this month’s post falling so close to Christmas, I decided to share some pictures of our traditions.

I love Christmas. A lot. The only time of year that competes with Christmas for me, is beach time. But, as soon as I stop crying leave the beach for the last time, I’m ready for Christmas. I managed to make it through Halloween before turning on the Christmas music, but November 1, I was ready. I love Christmas day, but I think I love the Christmas season more.  I love all the decorations, the traditions, the cookies, and the music.

Every year, we cut down our Christmas tree at Pine Valley Farms (where I did my mini sessions). We typically go the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but with Thanksgiving being so late this year, we went the weekend before.

Every year, on the day after Thanksgiving, we go to my grandparents’ house for leftovers and help decorate my grandfather’s Christmas tree. The kids all have a great time listening to Christmas music and putting up the (non-fragile) ornaments.

I’ll be honest, I get bored about halfway through decorating my Christmas tree. Not my girls…I think they’d have put 100 more ornaments up if I’d let them.

This Christmas season has been the best yet. This is the first year that Clara (almost 4) really gets it. She’s old enough to understand the magic of Santa, to anticipate, and her excitement is so much fun to be a part of. I know that there are only so many Christmases that will be this magical for her. When I was a kid, we had a huge family party where Santa came and gave us each one small present. It kind of died out, so I decided to host the party on a smaller scale. Clara’s face when she saw Santa was awesome. Predictably, Annabelle’s reaction was dramatic.

This is also the first time that we’ve had a visit from the Elf on the Shelf. Our elf is much less creative (and lazier) than many of the elves I see on facebook, but the girls still get a kick out of finding Violet the Elf every morning. And I love reminding them that she’s reporting back to Santa.

5 more days! I can’t wait to see their faces Christmas morning!

Continue the circle at Reena Giola Photography!