On Saturday December 5th, we drove to the Christmas tree farm here in town. It was about 25 degrees outside and it felt like it! The trees we usually get are at the very back of the property - lot 4 to be exact. We walked around for a bit when I found one I liked. I didn't want a super large one this year and Brady refuses to go for one that is shorter than he is tall. This is the smallest tree we have had in years and I love it - just like all the ones in the past. They are like pumpkins to me. All are unique and fun in their own special way!

We were offered a ride back on a golf cart. Hailey and I took him up on it but Hunter was a little nervous to go with the strange man. After you cut it down, a cart seems to instantly be there to haul off your tree to the front. We have never been offered a ride but we think the man just liked little Hunter because he was carrying the saw and a big ole stick. So Brady walked back to the front with Hunter in the freezing cold. In the meantime, I picked out a wreath for my front door. I just love a fresh wreath on my door at Christmastime. We paid for our items and then sat on a bench for a bit. The kids sipped hot chocolate and Brady had some cider. They make yummy cider. 

When we got home, Brady set up the tree in the stand and Hailey cut the plastic wrapping off of it. She really enjoys this part and watching the bundled up tree spring back out again.

After the tree was set up, I made some salt dough.  (An elf left a note for the kids to make some the night before.)  Brady, Hailey and Hunter sat at the kitchen table rolling out ornaments. Hailey did a great job on hers this year, Brady got super creative and Hunter had fun squishing the dough and being temperamental. He made a few with help but formed a tall tree on his own.

Hailey's finished masterpieces!

Hunter's masterpieces!

Brady's masterpieces!

We then set off to decorate the tree. I strung the lights and then Brady and I officially declared the tree could be decorated after we placed our first ornament we received on our honeymoon on the tree. Hailey enjoyed looking in her ornament box and placing all the mostly non-breakable ones on the tree. I have followed suite and purchased a special ornament for my children every year like my mother did. The one I chose for her this year was a cute ball ornament with Tinkerbell on it. Hailey and I found Hunter's in Santa Fe. His was a little train. Mine was a glittery dragonfly and I haven't found the perfect one for Brady yet. Still searching...

At one point Brady asked me if I had any popcorn. I purchased some for him for Christmas and broke it out early. It looked like fun because the kernels were blue, red and white. So then a popcorn stringing session began and Brady taught Hailey how to string popcorn. Popcorn pieces were everywhere but they clean up easily and were delicious too I heard. The house smelled of pine, popcorn and fire as we also had a roaring fire going on as well. I tend to camp myself by the fire in the winter time. I love to get super warm and fall asleep. All in all, it was a good day.

Our tree this year turned out to be a fun - kid festive one. I didn't feel like un-wrapping and putting on my special ornaments either.  I even broke out the tiny glass balls I purchased on sale last year for Hailey's small red tree and used those instead of my usual ones. I put out the few things that make me happy and it is perfect this year. I love that Hunter wants to turn on the Christmas (lights) every day too. I hope they remember this magical time as I have very fond memories of my own.