It takes a village...

If you know my husband, you know that he loves to decorate for Christmas... inside the house and out. One of his hobbies over the years has been to collect pieces of a collection called "St Nicholas Square". I only saw some of while we were engaged last Christmas. Being our first Christmas married and living the same home, I have now been able to watch the tedious process he goes through to create the ultimate Christmas village. 

To help him pull it off, he has all the structures cataloged and listed on a spreadsheet. There are approximately 60 structures ranging from churches, to coffee shops to a tavern and Grandma's house. There are also 100 or more extras like people, cars, lamp posts, trees and even a tiny Christmas tree lot. I just stood by and let him work while I took pictures... for 3 days. 

It all began with the red boxes taking over our home...

Kitchen

Upstairs hallway

Guest bathroom

Guest bedroom

Brad wondering why I am following him around taking pictures

Then he had to unpack all of them....

The kitchen became a staging area.

Then began the set-up process... except Samson heard something outside and it had to be checked out first!

Okay... all is safe, let the village set up begin!

As with everything new in our house, it must first be inspected by Zoe.

Now time to accessorize...

 Final product with the lights off...

Yes- that is Santa and reindeer flying above the village...