Cutting down the tree!

Greenbluff Christmas Tree Farm! Thanskgiving got unseasonably warm, which sadly melted the snow, but it made getting a tree easy. 

Found our tree!!  

Ellie and Charlie with Bill.

trying to haul the tree with 3 helpers was quite a task. 

We told the Stoddard family to go to the same farm so we ran into them! 

I love how our kids get along! 

Shelly snapped this for us! 

  Bill had to cut off 4 feet of the tree off the bottom because it was so huge! 

having our second thanksgiving at the "fancy" table with the kids. 

Bill singing his LOUD OH Christmas Tree while cutting it open. The kids love it. 

My dad was a champ and painted my hallways so he deserved the nap.

Bill's patience was very helpful during this stressful event - letting the kids decorate the tree. I have so many memorable ornaments that I really don't want broken so some of them I had to do. 

Ellie and Charlie.

Claire's nutcracker. 

Love getting the tree up! 

Christmas Tree cutting 2016

The day after Thanksgiving - we arrived at Greenbluff Christmas Tree Farm. 

The kids were thrilled about the free hot chocolate. 

We were excited because they had Fraser Fir trees, which we have had a harder time finding out here in the PNW. 

 Such a cute picture with Charlie, G Pops and Ellie.

  

Claire is in the pink leggings. Love this picture!

 This picture is ridiculous. Charlie wouldn't stop smiling like that. This is our tree!  

 There is a better one! 

I always love the kids watching Bill chop it down. 

 bill had lots of help getting the tree out. 

Claire hitched a ride on Nana's back. 

 

Keeping with tradition - having some hot chocolate and cookies after the tree is cut down!

 Bill singing loudly while he was cutting off the netting. 

Classic Tree pic with our matching Pata R1s. I have been wearing this same R1 for over 10 years every time we have done the tree cutting thing. Still looks the same - just shorter, which I can't figure out. 

This was the first year I let the kids put on some of the fragile ornaments and it was a test of my patience, but great for me to have to give up some control. 

 All done! 

As always, the kids love the nativity! 

 My mom helped me grab some greens from our various evergreens in our yard and fresh holly from our bushes and used it to decorate the mantel. 

She also helped me with my front porch. It is great to have all the varieties of evergreens, red twig, and holly right in our yard! 

I made 3 batches of caramels and the girls were old enough to help me roll them this year! 

Love this season!