My name is Maria. I live in Des Moines, Iowa. It is Christmas over here and my family has been the winner for the BDY five years in a row! It stands for Best Decorated Yard! About to make it six! It's our family tradition. Our family goes all out for Christmas.

Here is the front of our house! Do you think we should win this year?

"I think it's about time we get a tree before Santa comes or else we won't get presents!" says my mom. "Off we go!" I say. ''First, let me put on my glasses and brush my hair." my mom says.

We went to Deckly Hollows. "What about that one?" I say pointing to a tree. "Too thin!" says mom.

"What about that one?" I say. "Too fat." says my mom.

"This one?" I ask. "Too many fall colors!" says mommy.

"I think that I found the perfect tree mommy!'' I yell. '' Which one?" asks mom. "That one!" I say. "I love it! It's the one!" says mom.

That night we decorated out tree and the inside of our house. Since I'm an only child I get to put the star on the tree. I've always wanted a little sister. "There!" said daddy.

"Let's make a gingerbread house!" I scream. "Okay. You and your mom can be on a team verses me." says my dad. "Game On!" my mom yells. The time goes off. Dad comes running into the other room where mom and I are. "Hands up! Show your finished product!" my dad yells.

"Come and see mine!" my dad says. We walk into the other dining room. {We're rich by the way} "Wow." I say. "Come in guys." says my dad.

We walk in and I am amazed. I have never seen anything like it. "I'm sleeping in here." I say. "You can invite a friend over and have a sleepover in here. It's like a miniature mansion in our mansion!" my dad says.

"You win." I said. ''We are going to win this year for the BDY." says my dad. "Let's go and watch The Polar Express." I say. "Sure." says my mom.