Our miniature family Christmas tree

I continued decorating the Jones Junction today and decided to work on our miniature family Christmas tree. Everyone in this family has a name-designated ornament or two that hangs on this tree. I also have small frame ornaments that I put each grandchild's picture in. So first, I had to update all of the pictures! Last year's pictures wouldn't do at all! Nia Madelynn was almost not thought of at that point, and Karis was still a wee babe ... and everyone had changed and grown up so much this year!

The Houston (Webster) grandchildren, the Ft. Bliss (El Paso) grandkiddos, and the Austin grandkids!

I took a lot of time scanning through all of the hundreds of recent pictures on my computer and then deciding which ones to use in the frames. We have so many great pictures of all of the children -- it was really hard to pick just one picture of each of them!

The tree sits on the "hutch" in our dining room. It will be fun to enjoy this tree for the weeks preceding Christmas, anticipating each of you "coming home" for the holidays.
Don't we have beautiful grandchildren? :)
Oh the happiest Christmas
Is a homecoming Christmas
With the snow fluttering down 'til the world seems new.

Bright candles burning
Old friends returning

The wishes of children coming true.
And the happiest wishes are just old-fashioned wishes

May your days be merry, your sorrows be small
May the ones you love be near you
That's the happiest Christmas of all!

by Myles Rudge and Ted Dicks