For those of you who know me , you know that I’m a sucker for all things Christmas. I love the season (which mind you starts Oct 1 in my own little world), the joyful spirit of those around me, the family values, and yes, even the Michigan weather.

Now, I’m completely aware that there are people that will disagree with me. Heck, for all I know you are in the “Christmas-doesn’t-start-until-after-Thanksgiving” camp, but the way I see it is this, Fall and Winter work hand-in-hand to make up the complete Christmas season.

Look at it this way – we gather together with family and friends around Thanksgiving to remind ourselves that we have so much to be thankful for. We take time to show appreciation for those around us, to enjoy each others company, to reminisce and to create new memories. Sounds a bit like what we do around Christmas doesn’t it? Christmas and Thanksgiving are, at their most basic, a great excuse to get together with family, to enjoy time with your friends, to remember, to relax, to breathe a bit and forget about the hustle and bustle of every day life. And there is no disputing that as secular as these holidays have become, at their core, they are both deeply rooted in faith, hope, and love. – With so many similarities, why separate the celebrations? Why not consider them one? – Oh that’s right, I do.

Anyway, I’m not trying to convince – merely pleading my case. 🙂

Now onto the real reason I began drafting this post.

2010 was a big year for Katie and I. We were married in August, Adopted Chestnut (yes that’s a Christmas name) in November and were so excited to setup our super-tiny-apartment-style-target-clearance-$6-Christmas tree that we decided to set it up a bit early. – Here’s Chestnut’s first day with us.

We figured that a first Christmas was a milestone in our marriage. It was one of those things you talk about 60 years on down the road: [shaky voice while reaching for my cane] “Remember our first Christmas in that tiny apartment in Farmington Michigan? Yeah, those were the days…”

So rather than simply relying on our memory we decided to capture the moment on film and so began the Donnelly Christmas Time-lapse Tradition. Check out the video that started it all below (including the face slap… my bad lovey). We’ll let you guys in on Christmas 2011 in a couple of days. I promise that post won’t be as long. :p

(video may take a second to load…patienceeeeeeee)

So…. you a Christmas fan?