Garrett and Maddison's Trees

When we went to SD over the summer we stayed w/my aunt.  She was doing a little house cleaning and purging.  My kids thought it absolutely awesome to go through her closet and see all that she had.  She is the family's "heirloom and picture" gal.  I think because her house is big that a lot of things get left at her house.  So while going though the closet we found 2 apartment size Christmas trees.  Kids grabbed them up and we brought them home.  Up into the attic that sat from July to Dec.  Out they came this morning.

Garrett's Tree. He decorated this all by himself. 

 (and yes I know this looks like a fire hazard!)

Garrett's Tree (and window) all lit up!

Of course Maddison chose pink for her tree.  The silver garland came with the tree. 

Maddison's tree all lit up.  And she decorated all by herself as well!

Bird Nest Tree Farm

This year we decided to try a different place to get a Christmas Tree.  We headed north about a mile past Washington.  Bird Nest Tree Farm.  Wow was it big.  We had a good time, but it was really cold.  We could have looked and looked, but it was starting to get dark.  Cold and hungry.  But kids did really  well, better than me in fact.  My feet were FREEZING! 

Here is the back of Maddison looking for the "right"tree

.

Owen also trying to find a tree.

Still Looking

Garrett telling us to follow him.

"Wait for me"...he could easily have gotten lost!

We found it, We found it....It was a  BIG!

One more pic. 

Time to head home.  Garrett, Maddie and I ran a few errands in CC and picked up some pizza while Owen and Brent headed home to unload the tree and move the toys out of the way...

Tree still in netting.  We had to pick up a ton of needles.  Even after they shook the tree.  We have ruined one vaccum because of needles and don't plan on doing that again.  So we used our hands. 

Owen even helped out. 

Maddie and I holding the tree up while Brent SLOWLY trims the net away.  I seriously thought we would have a Chistmas Vacation rendition.  You know...when Clark "cuts" the rope and branches and sap go everywhere.  Well....we DIDN'T.  Thank you, Lord.

Finished Tree minus presents.

Lights went up last night.  Kids and I decorated this morning.  Kids liked it, but had some issues as to who would put what ornament where, etc.  Felt like a referee, but all in all it got done!

PS- Not sure how tall it is, but it is one of our biggest ones ever.  Sure glad we didn't go any bigger.  Pretty sure nothing else would have fit. 

Exhausted

This is how I found Garrett on Wednesday afternoon around 2pm.  He was tired BEFORE Thanksgiving.  I guess a sleepovers at a friends' house will do this. 

AND this is how I found my dad and Owen right after Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday!  Owen just crawled right up and snored like the best of them!

Family Pics

Check out this great looking group of people!  Grandpa Dave and Grandma Donna couldn't be happier!  Oh the kids did so well.  Love, love, love it!

Just the grandkids

.....and can't forget little Miss Morgan- she was sooo good all weekend and let everyone hold her!

Out of touch

So I have been a little out of sight and out of mind. My apologies.  We have been busy.  Busy as everyone else I am sure.  We had 3 Thanksgivings this past week.  Ate waaaay to much and are now trying to get back into a schedule once again.  The new header was from pics taken on Saturday.  We did a "grandparents" pic w/all the cousins.  The 7 grandkids did exceptionally well considering that we have tried numerous times and always seem to strike out.  AND when you have three boys age 2 (8 weeks apart in age),  makes things a little extra difficult, but they did AWESOME.  I will post those soon as well.  Other than to say we are "busy" I can't think of anything major that has been going on.

On Wednesday we had some out of town guests them and them over a little socializing.  And Brian and Carrie! We had a great time and found out some exciting news...but you will have to check here to find it out!  Whooohooo!

The kids head back to school tomorrow and I'm off to Christmas shop on Tuesday afternoon  w/my mom and sister.  It will be a fun "girls getaway".

More to come soon!  I promise.