Christmas Cheer in November - Part I

Eckley Family Christmas has come and gone once again. Yes, it's only November, but we're already full-swing into the Christmas spirit. We spent Friday baking pumpkin bread, wrapping presents for my cousins and listening to classic holiday music to get us in the mood. We had a ball with the family on Saturday and once again celebrated this magical time of year with none other than CHINESE FOOD! Yep, that's part of our holiday tradition.

Mom and Dad took me to the mall this past weekend and I was shocked to see Santa already there! Yep...that's right. It's not quite Thanksgiving ('cause Mom and Dad's birthdays are before Thanksgiving and I know that hasn't happened yet), and I also know Christams is AFTER Thanksgiving, but everywhere we go lights are on display and decorations are abundant. I told Mom she better get with it and start thinking about Christmas -- I know I already have. I'm still getting my list together, but a purple unicorn is at the top of it this year. I plan to tell Santa when I have breakfast with him and Mrs. Clause in a few weeks. Until then, Mom and I have started a few other holiday projects, like picking out our Christmas cards (check out the unique Christmas Card designs here http://www.tinyprints.com/shop/picture-christmas-cards.htm) and ordering wreaths from the cheer team. Last year we didn't get to send out a Christmas card because we were eagerly awaiting baby Cait's birth. Instead, we waited and sent out a New Year greeting with our annual update and Caitlin's birth announcement all roled into one. Do you remember getting that? This might be our picture for this year's card. What do you think?

Pretty soon we'll start getting pictures and family updates in the mail -- many from friends and family that we haven't seen all year! We love to string twine across our mantel, then we hang the cards with clothespins so that all are on display for several months. And since our mantle is over 15 feet long, we can fit A LOT of cards. We had over 60 cards hanging from it last year! It's so festive and fun to see how everyone has changed over the course of a year.