Blue Spruce

While I don't think that this year's tree is our biggest ever, it is right up there with the best of them.  For the first time, we picked a blue spruce, mostly because it fit our needs - tall and wide.  It's too tall for the angel, so she is gazing at the tree from a nearby side table.  We probably could have used another string of lights, but this will have to do.

The tree is very heavy, due to its size and the rain we received recently.  It was really difficult to get it to remain upright in the stand.

Annual ornament from Jones Tree Farm.

Annual ornament.

We received this ornament as a gift a few years ago - the light was catching it just right.

All decorated.

Jones Tree Farm 2015

We made our annual pilgrimage to Jones Tree Farm on Sunday to pick out our Christmas tree. We had a hard time finding a tree again this year, so after 16 years, we may have to look for a new place.  The weather was gorgeous (we went from jackets to sweatshirts in less than a 1/2  hour) and eventually, we found a tree that met with my approval.

Poor Lee.

Charlie Brown Tree

We saw taller trees, but they were too thin; we saw fatter trees, but they were too short.  This one ended up being the tallest/fattest one we could find, and it will have to do for this year.  Funny enough, as soon as it was in the stand, Elizabeth said, “it’s kinda of a Charlie Brown tree, huh?”  Love that the big tree gene is going to survive another generation! 

Emily's new ornament. 

Elizabeth's new ornament! 

Our vacation ornament. 

Charlie Brown tree. 

Jones Tree Farm

On Sunday, we made our annual trip to Jones Tree Farm to pick out of Christmas Tree.  Due to weather and crazy schedules, we went in the late afternoon, which is a first for us (we are usually one of the first cars in the lot).  It was a madhouse!!!  Once we negotiated all of the traffic and found a place to park, we headed to the South Pole, our usual hunting location.  We walked the entire South Pole, right to the edge of the lot, and just could not find the right tree, so ended up settling for the largest tree we could find. That’s right – we settled.  I can’t believe it.  This is the second year in a row that we haven’t been able to find what we want – even Lee agrees that the trees seem to be smaller.  Regardless, the girls had a great time running around among the trees to stay warm.  When we got home, we put it in the stand and put the lights on it, but I think that’s going to be a while before we get around to decorating it! 

Heading to the South Pole! 

Our tree. 

The girls spent almost the entire time we were at Jones running around and pretending that they live in the woods.  They kept posing (like so) on rock formations and hills.  It's nice that they have such great imaginations, but it was a little difficult to keep to track of them. 

"I'm Lewis, you're Clark.  Okay Emily?" 

By the time we left Jones, the sun was going down and the girls needed their lights to read in the car. 

Not that I ever question it, but this photo shows how much he loves me....

Jones Tree Farm

On Saturday, we made our fifteenth annual trip to Jones Tree Farm in Shelton for our Christmas tree.  Like last year, we had a difficult time finding the right tree again this year.  We normally get a Balsam Fir, but we could not find any that were tall or wide enough, so we ended up with a Douglas Fir instead.  Those of you that know me know that no tree will ever be big enough (although we did have one a few years ago that was pretty close), so I am, of course, a bit disappointed with this tree, but it will have to do.

Finally arrived at the South Pole!

Love this photo!

Our tree! 

"The hills are alive with the sound of music..."  No joke.  That's what she was singing.  Love this kid.

Bringing in the tree.  He loves me.

Charlie Brown Tree

Okay, so that is a ridiculous exaggeration, but for people used to our enormous trees, this is definitely our smallest tree ever.  Not to mention that between me being sick, the girls' activities and Lee's schedule, it took us two days to decorate it.  And I use the word "decorate" loosely, as the ornaments were all thrown up rather haphazardly.  The entire process was chaotic, but the girls loved it, which is really all that matters!

Released from the baling.

Our newest ornament, LeBlancs 2012.

St. Mary School 100 year anniversary ornament.

Emily made this spectacular ornament with her Daisy troop a few weeks ago.

"Found this on the seat of my sleigh.  Better fix that hole in your pocket.  Mr. C."

The finished product.