Tomorrow is my traditional day to put up the Christmas tree.  However, we are going downtown Chicago to Piece Brewery and Pizza for my birthday.  That meant I had to get the guys in gear to pull down the Christmas tree and all the boxes to decorate today.

I have made it Rick’s job to put up the tree and get it decorated.  Since my left arm is still in a brace, it was definitely his job.  I helped pass the lights and gold strings behind the tree, but he did most of the work.  Such a good son.  I know Santa will be extra good to him this year. 

So on to the Sascha connection.  It didn’t strike me at first that this was Sascha first Christmas in a house with decorations.  She was overly curious about the tree and the ornaments.  Rick tried out one of the musical ornaments I had made with my cousin almost 20 years ago.  It played!  Sascha cocked her head and listened very hard.  She attempted to help Rick put the skirt under the tree.  I finally had to rescue him. 

After it was all decorated, Rich and Sascha donned their Santa hats for a little informal photo session.  Sascha actually left the hat on for a while!  Such a good dog.  Then I tried the reindeer antlers on her.  I think the antlers are more fitting.  She would make a cute reindeer for Santa.  She could definitely pull that sleigh!

I forgot to say thanks to Erica for helping me with one of my decorating projects.  I painted the living room and had started my decorating ideas.   The theme is a fishing lodge, of sorts.  I’m using fishing poles through the room along with pine cones and evergreen accents.  Rich made me a screen that I had planned to decorate with a sign and lots of lures.  With my broken wrist, I hadn’t gotten the finger dexterity back to tie the lures on.  Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Erica agreed to help and tied on the lures.  The design is hers and I think it turned out great.  Thanks again for the great piece of art!