The Family Christmas Tree 2010

"That was the most fun I have ever had getting a Christmas tree."
My husband proclaimed as we hopped in our truck and headed home. I smiled and told him with chattering teeth I had a great time too.

Evan and I had been wanting to get a tree for a while now. We had been putting decorations up all over the house but had lot of boxes left around waiting for a tree. Jay was waiting for a day that all our family was together to go get it. I was being impatient and just wanted to pick one up and we could have special family time decorating it most likely in different waves though. It can be hard to nail down a time when all of us are together. Between school, sports, different sleeping times, church and work we often miss each other.

It so happened on Friday December 3rd Gregory was out of school early and Jay had a day off. It worked out. He decided that this year he wanted to cut down a Christmas tree. Rather than going to our normal place of "the closest" we headed down the road to a farm.

It seems around my area they decided to redo all the bridges at one time and this often makes going for miles very difficult. We back and forth then all around trying to get to this farm. By the time we got there the sun was setting quickly and it was cold. Very cold flurries in the air.



We walked around the barn where all the action seemed to be and saw acres and acres of trees. All different types and sizes. We had no idea this would be such a search. We started walking. After we got over a few hills it was a silent agreement lets just find a tree here.



They were all beautiful. We really could not go wrong. It made it nice on me I was able to easily say you go ahead and pick it out anything will be fine. I had no stress over what to get they really all were fine. There was something for everyone.

Smiley he saw many that were just his size.



Gregory and Jay bantered back and forth about getting a Charlie Brown tree. But he also had many choices that were fantastic.



Evan always wanted to keep looking. He would pick out a great one then see and even better one just over there.



Jay picked out a beauty. It was the right height and as fat as they get. It was so full no holes. I had never seen such a thick tight looking tree it was absolutely stunning.



After a family vote it was decided that would be the one. So he tagged it and we were excited to take it home. This would be the best looking Christmas tree we ever had.



The guy came by and cut it down for us. He started the chainsaw and Smiley started crying the big boys started cheering.



He threw it in the back of his trailer and zip away. We quickly tried to follow. It was getting colder and to the point where it was so dark.



Once he got it back up to that barn two guys put our tree into a shaker. This is wonderful. It shakes off all the lose needles then. Less of a mess being tracked in to your house. I love it.



From there it went to the wrapper.



This is also another brilliant idea. Not only is it easy to transport and carry it was so easy for Jay to set up.



What a plesent trip we had. Now time to take it home, set it up and decorate!

When I said it was going to be easy for Jay to set it up I meant it, for him. This was the first year ever I did not have to help set it up. Usually setting the tree up is much like labor pains. It is a horrible experience stressful on both of us but in the end we are so happy to see the tree up we quickly forget. With it being wrapped he was abbe to get it snug, tight and very stable with out me. He was able to see if it was straight or not and adjust it. We did not have to squeeze through branches having needles poking us in the face while one person is screwing it in and shouting directions.



Once everything looked good all he had to do was cut the cord.



And poof it exploded all at the end. The big, fat beautiful tree was up and immediately filled the room with its sent. It smelled so good. This tree is bigger than we thought. Seeing it on the farm it looked so nice and fat. Seeing it in our home in its allotted space it is dominating. It looks great. I can't get over how much I love the look of this tree. Simply beautiful. Now have have three kids chomping at the bit to decorate it.



We were questioning how to decorate a tree like this? It is in a corner and is so full there would be no point to even run light around it. You can't see threw this tree. Light what color lights? Last year we did colored disco lights it was a lot of fun.





I wanted something else this year. Walking past the colorful rows of decoration in every store I have been running ideas through my head of what color them I would like this year. I had no idea. After looking through what we had and getting the feel of our tree. I decided on a simple classic design of red, white and silver. Jay decided on few small ornaments. It sounded good now lets start decorating.

But first Gregory wanted to take a few pictures.





I said why don't you take a picture of mom's fat belly and our fat tree. Smiley heard and proudly showed off his fat belly too. I love that child.



After a few pictures and a few laughs Gregory took off. He ran and started making a Christmas ornament. He drew it of a tree and hung it on the tree so it would not be lonely. He is precious. He even cut pieces of the white twine used to tie the tree and glued it on his drawling as white light for the tree to match.



The only thing is those lights don't look to white to me. Oh no. But it is not a big deal at all. They are LED cool white lights. They uses so little power and in person they are white but the camera picks them up as a blue. And unfortunately the white light angel we use to top our tree has such a different color white I did not like it at all. But sitting on top of the fireplace was another angel. One my mom had made years ago when I lived at home. I grabbed her and placed her on top. Even though she is not lit up she still looks so nice watching over our tree and family.



Through the rest of the weekend we have added the finishing touches. Some small ornament in red and silver. They originally were placed all over the visible areas of tree but slowly and surly they have been pulled of and rehung high. Evan made an ornament just like Gregory's but red to keep with our theme. They hung the ones they made at Michale's and Evan put up one he bought for his dad right in the middle. It is the only one that is green and it says dad. But he was so happy to get it for him and hang it up. He bought it himself with his own money.



To the boys request they put tinsel on the tree. They did it slowly strand by strand...at first. And then realized it was faster and easier to just throw it up on there. That was a nightmare we wont do again. It was everywhere in big clumps.



Now we have our big and beautiful family tree 2010. I love it and they all do to. It has been a great time surrounding it. No stress what more could I ask for.