Our Tree '12

This year, with no snow yet, we headed out to find the perfect tree.  We have this great place to get them right here in Oregon.  Santa and Mrs. Clause are there for photos!  There is a shop where you can watch them make wreaths or buy all kinds of ornaments.  We got hot apple cider and pop corn and watched this man make bowls from wood (stuff Uncle Billy would totally get into)!  

Well, then it started to rain.  :(  But, what the heck.  I had not showered yet.  What's a little rain?  It took us FOR EVER to decide on a tree.  At first everyone was really looking for a good one but then it turned into - just pick one already and let's get out of the rain!!!  We finally found the perfect tree.  Dad cut it down with barely any assistance from Chris and we dragged it through the mud to pay for it.

 The stick is from last years tree.  This way we know how tall the tree can be!

Chris is keeping Dad dry while he cuts the tree down.

Now Chris is playing with the umbrella...

Now Chris is playing with the camera ...

We paid for the tree and got it home.  We set it up in the garage and a couple hours later went to bring it into the house.  The tree stand was totally filled with water that had run off the tree!

The kids and I decorated the tree on Monday and on Thursday ... it fell over.  Yep.  Just fell right over.  Acacia was home alone and heard this HUGE crashing sound and glass breaking and was sure that someone  broke into the house.  So, logically she grabbed the chair she was sitting in and went to defend the house!

I had to un-decorate and re-decorate the tree Friday night.  It's not as much fun the second time around.  No matter how much eggnog, coffee and Baileys, or Mango run smoothie you drink ... it still was a pain in the butt!