Trimming the Tree

Picking out our Christmas tree is one of our most favorite traditions. We've gone from the sad little lot where Eric and I got our first (almost their last) tree, to cutting it in the forest, to tree farms, to Walmart, to tree lots, etc., etc.. Every year we feel our tree is the most perfect and the most best. The last few years we've started picking a bound tree and looking forward to the grand unveiling when we cut the cords at home. We still have requirements - heighth, shape (you can still tell a lot when it's bound), health, etc. This year after rejecting Walmart and Costco we ended up at Lowe's for our perfect tree hunt. Let the games begin!

Carter is never one to pass up a higher vantage point. I think it definitely helped. :)

Eric and I found several good ones, but apparently height was the kids' main objective this year. We gave them a certain price range and then they hunted for the tallest one. Finally we found a winner.

Ashlyn and Ian were thrilled. It was freezing and raining. We know how to pick a good tree finding night.

Isaac left his sweatshirt at a football game and his jacket at school. "Better remember to bring it home next time! I'm taking Ian and Ashlyn inside. Guard the tree!" - Like anyone else was out there looking for one....

"Look happy about it!"

We finally got it home to begin our three day process. First night - set up. Second night - lights. Third night - ornaments. We like to drag things out as long as humanly possible.

Ta-dah and SCORE! A whole foot taller than it was marked. Nice find, boys!

Carter was the lucky star placer this year.

Let the ornament placing begin!

Don't be fooled. Those ornaments are not going on the tree. In fact the whole bottom third of our tree is devoid of beads and ornaments.

Yes, that is a broom swinging into my picture. Weilded by non other than Ian. He has been a joy with our Christmas decorations!

A few years back Walmart taught us that if you put in a can of lemon lime soda, a cap of bleach, and then fill the rest of your stand with water that it extends the life of your tree. It works like a charm. Unfortunately, it took us after our three days of decorating to realize that our carpet was soggy and that our tree stand was leaking. Thanks to a super awesome friend who volunteered her stand and her husband, we were able to successful switch out stands on a fully decorated Christmas tree without mishap. Miracle! My carpet, however, was not as lucky as our tree. The bleach was a double edged sword. No mold, but I have a nice bleach stain on my rug now. Guess I'll just have to go buy something to put on it once our tree is gone...;)

When we were finished with it all, I stepped back and looked at the single branch with 50 ornaments, the bare bottom third of our tree, and our crooked star and thought once again, "Our tree is the most perfect and the most best."