(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/fall2009/DCP_8559.sized.jpg)
This is our Christmas Tree - When the kids were all home our tree was decorated much differently with lots and lots of various decorations. Back a number of years ago when Maryann was still able to go into the stores, we made a trip down to Ames and Maryann picked out just the decorations she wanted. We bought a fairly good quality artificial tree and the angel on top of the tree was given to us by our oldest daughter and her husband the first year they were married 25 years ago. The other angel we had before was one that Maryann and I had since we were first married back in 1960.
(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/fall2009/DCP_8561a.sized.jpg)
This is the tree as it looks in the daylight
(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/fall2009/DCP_8563a.sized.jpg)
Our Manger Scene is one that I bought at Costco, probably 10 years ago. Our original one had the Baby Jesus, Mary & Joseph, the Wise Men, Shepard & Animals or firmly secured to a platform with the stable. Why, you might ask - Well the girls loved it, however, were the objects not secured, most likely they would have gotten lost, this way, all the time the girls were growing up, there was never any problem putting up the Manger Scene so they could enjoy it as part of Christmas.
(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/fall2009/DCP_8565.sized.jpg)
Underneath my TV in the stand is a place I found where my Manger Scene can be on display and this is how it looks in the daylight. I have two angels that I place each side of the Manger Scene outside on the platform in front of the glass doors. I will be bringing those up tomorrow. We have eliminated many decorations as we get older, but being together with all of our family at Christmas will be what we truly enjoy the most.