Getting the tree

We like to get our tree a week or so after Thanksgiving. I would love to get it right after but it's hard to keep it alive all the way to Christmas and then you have pine needles all over and it's messy. So we waited until a week after Thanksgiving but as you know Thanksgiving was late this year which means it felt super late for getting our tree. We were all more than ready to set up the tree, we needed it to officially feel like Christmas around here.

 We went to Helvetia Tree Farms like we have the past 2 years and there was still snow on the ground from the night before. We bundled the girls up in their snow gear and headed out.

 The girls were troopers, they had to walk all over with us trying to find the perfect tree: tall, but not wide at the base. They happily trudged along in the snow.
We finally found it (believe it or not Brian was the picky one) and Daddy got to work sawing it down.

The orange coat is Brian

 Once we got the tree we went and saw Santa to make sure he knew what we wanted for Christmas. Well, Bria made sure he knew. Reese made sure he knew this was very awkward and glared at me for putting her so close to a stranger.

Reese: "Not cool Mom, not cool."
Bria: "I want a Merida with her arms out."

Then we headed to the fire pit where they have marshmallows to roast. This might be my favorite part of this tree farm.

I know it's the girls' favorite part.

Once we were thoroughly warmed up, smelled of fire, and full from marshmallows we headed home to put the tree up.

 And of course, in true 2 year old fashion, Reese stripped off her clothes and decorated in her underwear. Because ya know, 20 degrees is a little warm.

Bria got to place the star on top of the tree and then we stood back and looked at it's beauty.

NOW it feels like Christmas.