Deck the halls!

We got our Christmas tree today! It was quite a different scene from last year, when it snowed and sleeted on us the entire time we were out there! I tend to take my sweet time picking out a tree, so we were thankfully well bundled! Naturally, this year in the mostly sunny almost 60 degree weather, I found the perfect tree within about ten minutes. It was such a rare occurrence that I still insisted we walk around a little while longer "just in case."

The winner this year was a lovely blue spruce, a new type of tree for us. They were not available for sale last year, but I'm so thankful they were ready this year. They are a little more full than a Noble, but just perfect for hanging every ornament you own! Their branches can take the load, but they are PRICKLY! We're hoping it deters the kitty from climbing (so far, so good), but we sacrificed our fingertips while we decorated!

I just love tree-cutting day at our house. We go as early as possible (usually the day after Thanksgiving) and the tree farm we go to is a sight to behold. Hubert's is a family-owned operation in the shadow of the Olympics, (that's it in the picture!) and it is breathtaking to walk the acres of 10 different kinds of trees while gazing at the snow-covered mountains around you. In the evening, we set the tree up and string the lights while listening to Christmas music and sipping eggnog. Haleigh is now old enough that she participates fully in hanging the ornaments, starting with her special ones. We set up the nutcrackers - one is a police officer, one is Uncle Drosselmeyer, and one is Uncle Sam! Then, I light some candles and we just relax together as a family. This year, Haleigh hung a picture of her grandma front and center on the tree and announced that she would be having Christmas at her house next year. We asked if it was ok if grandma just came and spent the night here and she was ok with that. So, grandma, we need to work that out, ok? LOL

I hope you are all getting in the Christmas spirit!