Third Annual Mystery Tree ... Unveiled!

After a bit of a rough start this morning, we were able to maintain our Mystery Tree tradition ... and this afternoon was the great unveiling! Let's take a pictorial stroll through some highlights ...

My lovely front porch turned into Santa's sawdust-strewn workshop. Thankfully my thoughtful Elf cleaned it all up on his own.

Getting closer now ... the tree is up in its stand, but still wrapped. Don has scissors in hand, ready for the first cut ... Think you can guess the outcome?

But first, a little humor ... Sweet Grace got a bit confused with the decorations, thinking she had to wear the tree skirt.

Aidan was all set in the decorations department, selecting his first two choices for hanging.

The Great Unveiling! Not bad, huh? It's soft, nice and full, smells great, and best of all ... it's alive!

Lights first, then the red wooden "berry" beads ... how thankful we were for the patience displayed by these two little elves! Grace found a new friend in the angel, giving it lots of hugs before it went on top of the tree.

Don's personal highlight -- an ornament he made himself a few years ago, out of an antique vacuum tube. This is how audio/techie geeks get into the spirit ...

And ... voila! The Third Annual Mystery Tree is a great success!

My favorite photo (so far) of the season ... how cute are these two?! Grace was definitely feeling the love, kissing every little school-made ornament with Aidan's picture on it, declaring her adoration for her big brother. Hand-holding is about as lovey-dovey as Aidan will get -- and we'll take it! It's been a perfect day ...