This year, I was hoping to convince everyone to get a nice Balsam Fir because I like the way the branches look but the farm we go to doesn't grow those. They sell them, pre-cut but my crew said cutting the tree was half the fun. Maybe next year! As it was, we found a great tree. Come along and I will spin you the tale.....
When you first get to the tree farm, you pick up a measuring stick and a saw.
Then you hang out for a few minutes waiting for the hayride to come pick you up and take you to the fields.
It sometimes gets chilly and you turn into a turtle.
You stomp off in search of the perfect tree.
The smaller people try to get a Charlie Brown tree and Mom says, "No! Bigger!"
After much searching and the loss of feeling in many fingertips, the perfect tree is found. Obligatory posing, please?
Now, it's Daddy's turn to work...
...closely supervised, of course!
TTTTTIIIIIMMMMMBBBBBEEEEERRRRR!!!!!
Walk your tree out to the road the hayride drives down and they pick you up.
Try not to freeze while you wait. I know, how about a nice picture?
Or two?
When you get home, you will have to spend about 45 minutes rearranging the living room furniture and vacuuming up all the lovely things that were under the couches. You will also wonder why you didn't think to do this ahead of time? Then you place the tree in your stand and hope it's straight!
Lights first, if you please!
And a picture of the Christmas library next to the tree.
It may not be the balsam I wanted but it does have the cutest little pine cones growing in it:
Or trying to grow...
Now it's time for the ornaments. Over the years we have collected some wonderful reminders of life in Chaosville. Want a tour of my favorites?
There are some that remind us of our early days together:
There are some that were given to us to remind us of Texas while we lived far away.
There are some that remind us of our Army days:
There are the adorable ones that the kids make in school:
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| Raley's Snowman family from Kindergarten |
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| Clayton's Snowman family from Kindergarten |
There are three acorn ornaments that Santa brought the clones to thank Clay for the acorns he sent so Santa could grow an oak tree.
There is one to remember our sweet Luke.
There's the Christmas Pickle that I never remember to buy a special gift for!
There's a paper poinsettia that Clay made at school that perfectly hides where two light strands hook together.
Clarice and friends:
Hedwig and friends:
A nice hot cup of joe:
And some with an adorable story:
We have two of these little tractor ornaments. Our first year in Germany was the first year we had our own tree. I had a few ornaments but not many. I saw this one at the PX and thought I would get it for Jayme, since he likes tractors. I showed it to him to gauge his interest. After that, he bought it for me since it seemed I liked it so much. On Christmas morning, we happened to open them at the same time and thought it was hilarious.
When you add all these and many, many more together, you get our tree:
No theme, really. Just a tale of love and family and fun and memories. And that's the way we like it! Merry Christmas from Chaosville to you!
