Oh Christmas Tree

We have quite a few traditions for Christmas and one of them is going to get our tree on the Friday after Thanksgiving.  It just feels nice to do it and then still have the weekend to decorate and do other things if needed.  Plus, this year the Huskies are in the state championship game tomorrow night.  Woo hoo!

After I took my little nap, we headed out to get our tree.  We went to the same place we have been going to for the last few years and honestly had a hard time finding “the tree”.  We like to get a big one because we have the ceiling for it.  I don’t mean to sound picky and ungrateful, but we just kind of like a big one.  We finally did find one that we were satisfied with and that the boys liked. 

Lucas pointing to our tree saying “This is it guys!”.

 

 

Nolan saving one he liked while we go to look at a few others.

 

This year’s tree!

 

Matt cutting it down as the boys watch.

 

Connor being the big guy now helping Matt carry it…

 

while Jacob, Nolan, Lucas, and I went to get hot cider and cookies in the warm shed. ;)

 

 

Lucas held on tight the whole ride home to be sure the tree stayed on the van. ;)

 

 

I have to take advantage of the boys being excited about the whole tree thing as long as I can because I know it won’t last long.  They each have their own bins with their ornaments that they have made and received.  Every year it’s always fun and exciting for them to take them out one by one and remember.  They were awesome helpers today.  We had a great afternoon and evening.

 

 

   

 

Another tradition we have is after we get the tree up the boys get to unwrap their new pajamas.  I don’t think they truly enjoy this as much as they pretend and humor their mom.  Though I do have to say they got some pretty cool ones this year.  After they got ready for bed and all clean and comfy we got out sleeping bags, ate popcorn, and watched a movie. I love sitting around with the only lights being the Christmas tree lights.  Something magical about it.  The boys are hoping that Elfie will come tonight.  In the past he comes the night we put up our tree.  We'll keep you posted.

On to Christmas….

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree….

Friday we did some relaxing, some play dates, some shopping, some lights on the house decorating, and just enjoying each other.

Saturday we headed on our Christmas tree hunt….

 

Nolan found the perfect size for him.  Jacob and Lucas decided to be scarecrows in the middle the trees.  Makes sense right?

 

After some back and forth, the boys picked out their favorite choice.

 

While daddy got it loaded on top of the car the boys and I enjoyed warming up with some hot cider and cookies.   

 

Nolan helped hold the string so the tree wouldn’t fall off! ;)

 

Jacob is really into reading to Lucas right now, and apparently playing Santa…Ho Ho Ho.

 

The tree is always too tall that Matt has to do the top of the lights.

 

The boys have been gathering quite a collection of ornaments and each have their own container we keep them in.  Every year they still get excited when they take them out of their container and look at them.  They were awesome helpers putting the ornaments on this year.

 

The first night our Christmas tree is put up the boys get new pajamas.  We enjoyed being comfy in our pjs, munching on a snack, and watching a movie with the glow of the Christmas tree.  I love this time of year.

 

 

And to top it off, can you spot who made his appearance in our house once again?

 

Yes,  good ol’ Elfie is back.  Now only if he can remember to hide in a new spot every morning. ;)

 

Welcome back Elfie.  Bring on the Christmas joy……

New Tradition

First off, here is our tree. I love having the tree on at night time….something about it.

We are starting a new tradition this year. Is it necessary? No. Is it fun and getting everyone in the Christmas spirit? YES! We bought the boys new pajamas and a Christmas book (OK….2 actually) and they will get to open them on the last night of November……to wear during the Christmas season (hopefully with a few washes in there). Next year I will probably try to have the pajamas be more wintery/Christmassy (is this a real word?).

Total 3 year old comment…Nolan asked us, “Mommy, where are our real presents? Our awesome ones?.”

What do you mean? Pajamas are super fun, exciting, and awesome. Right?! Just what every kid wants…….

Too funny.

Striking a pose….

Connor and daddy finishing up homework.

Look who has found his way back to our house for the third Christmas season……welcome back Elfie (click here to read about his first visit. yes, his name has evolved from Elfa to Elfie)!

The boys are so excited to see you tomorrow….

Tis’ the season……

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

We got home late Thursday night, and Matt still got up early to go do some shopping on Black Friday. When he got home we went to go get our Christmas tree. We have been pretty spoiled with where we have gotten our trees from the past few years in Eau Claire, so we weren't quite sure where to go around here. We received some suggestions about Budd's Tree Farm and decided to go give it a try. We have a tall ceiling and like to have a big tree. It took us awhile to find one, but in the end Budd's served us well, we found a beautiful tree.

It was funny though, we didn't bring any twine because the farms we have been to in the past would actually come around and pick the tree up for you after you cut it down and bring it to the main area. They would shake it and bind it. At Budd's you had to bring it to the main area, they shook it, but didn't bind it, so it was an experience in itself.

Our daddy is the man, after he cut it down he lifted the 10+ foot tree onto the top of our van by himself so that we could CAREFULLY drive it to the shed (remember we had no twine so it was not fastened to the top) to get shaken. Then he got some twine and fastened it down to the van while the boys and I went inside to have some cookies and hot apple cider.

To be honest, Budd's didn't compare to the tree farms we've been to (where you could get lost there are so many trees, and it's hard to decide because there are so many beautiful big ones), but it's a pretty unfair comparison because of the size of Eau Claire compared to Clarks Grove. It was very nice AND it's all about the experience as a family, that's what matters. And we had a great one. It's nice to have a place close to home, Matt was especially happy about that....no stressing out about a tree staying on top of the car for the 2+ hour drive at 70+ mph. ;)

Jacob taking a little rest....where is that tree?

Where is it????

This is the one...................

Looks good from my angle dad....keep it up.

Way to go daddy!

Where do we take it?

Go daddy go!

Taking a break, warming up, waiting for daddy.

Daddy told Nolan to hold on to the string really tight for the ride home, so the tree doesn't fall off. ;) Nolan took his job pretty seriously.

Still holding on.....

The boys each have their own tin full of ornaments that they have gathered throughout the years. They had fun going through them. They even made a game out of it while Matt and I did a few things to get the tree ready for decorating.

Final product to come...

Saturday and today we hung out around the house trying to cross off things on our list. I've started the rest of my Christmas decorating. I love this time of the year....though don't want to even think about all that needs to be done.

Have a great week.