Christmas Tree

We don't usually have a real tree for Christmas. Mostly because in all the years we've been married we have NEVER had Christmas Morning in our own home. We love visiting with family though, so we aren't complaining....just explaining that it is a first for us. This year we WILL be waking up on Christmas Morning in our own home and to honor this fact, we decided to get a real tree this year. We went to a tree lot just down the road. Most of the trees were already tagged, so pickings were slim. Even considering THAT though, we ended up with a tree the kids were proud of....

Kayla was off running through the trees and helping our friends, The Franklin's, move their tree. Last year we were able to have a real tree as well...and we were even able to go cut it down (Washington has LOTS of options in the tree department). We so enjoyed having a real tree last year that having one this year was a reminder of that experience.

We put the tree up yesterday. The kids have an artificial tree in the play room, and now we have the family tree in the living room. The kids got to cover the play room tree with all the fun ornaments and colorful lights we have accumulated over the years from school and as just random collections. The family tree is the "mom" tree. Not quite as colorful, but it did get the twinkle lights this year. It looks like little fireflies or fairies (as the girls like to think of them) are living in our tree. I don't have a picture of it yet, but I'm sure one will surface before the year is over (how crazy is it to think that 2011 is almost over? I still struggle to write it any time I fill out the date).