That's Not My Christmas Tree

Every year it's tradition for our family to head out to the Christmas tree farm, and find that perfect tree to cut down. I grew up with the tradition and am happy to pass it along to my Daughters.

Do you get a real tree or does your family put up a fake tree?
Although this year things were switched up a bit. I did not get my Christmas tree. Though we did get a surprise tree. It was a shocker once we put it up at home in our living room. Somehow our Christmas tree and another family's became mixed up. They took ours when they left and visa Vera. When didn't think much since the height of the trees and the price were the same until we put the tree up in the stand.

I was not a happy camper. I had a vision all along. I picked out the most perfect tree with my family. It was just skinny enough, the color was so unique as an very off green almost white. The tree we ended up with well....very green and very round. Defiantly not my almost white skinny tree. We ended up having to move furniture to fit this very full of volume of a tree in our living room. All I could think was the poor other family is going to be so surprised too since the two trees are so opposite of each other.

After time, some trimming and squeezing the Christmas tree into the corner the surprise Christmas tree has finally grown on me. After all it is just a tree.

Throw Back Thursday: Summer Camping

This past July we went on our first family camping trip since we became a family of 5 at Hoffmaster State Park. Actually you could say a family of 4 also because Vivian has never been camping yet before this trip. My husband and I both grew up camping, so we knew we wanted to extend the tradition with our girls. Not to mention i absolutely love camping. I love the smell of a campground as soon as you drive into it. I probably enjoy camping more now as an adult for the relaxation and carefree feeling.

  Our first family experience camping was in a tent. Not just any tent, but the tent that I camped in when I was my daughters age. This tent has some history. We even used my great grandfathers canopy. It sure makes me thankful for today's modern canopy's. Of course can't forget the kitty lights we used, that I remember using when I was also a little girl camping.We had the most vintage campsite probably in the whole campground.  The girls loved camping. Helen was just shy of turning a year old and she did wonderful. I can't wait to camp again this summer with my husband and daughters and build more memories. Although I think we might upgrade!

Tis' The Season

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas around here. Sunday we were able to go out and get our Christmas tree. I grew up with the tradition of cutting down our own Christmas tree every year. I am blessed to pass the tradition onto my own family now. So every year we go to the tree farm and find that perfect tree to cut. To keep their tradition, my parents now join along with us. There are some years where one of us sick, and unfortunately that happened this year. Vivian's lingering cold took another turn, causing her asthma to flare up really bad. In this case we go to our local store called Horrocks to get our real tree. They previously cut, but we still get to pick out the perfect tree. This year I think we have bought the tallest of them all so far since owning our home. He he. I've always dreamed of having tall Christmas trees as a child. Now that dream has been full filled since our home has cathedral ceilings. 

Because we were unable to go to the tree farm, my parents came over to help decorate the tree with our daughters. Our tree this year was 9 feet tall. Therefore my husband had to get out his ladder to help decorate. The girls had a wonderful time decorating the tree along with the smallest Helen. 

On another note, I have started my Christmas shopping. Believe it or not, this is early for me. I am determined not to fall behind this year. My goal is to be done a week before Christmas. This weekend I was able to find The remake of fisher price's record player. I may just have done a dance in the toy isle! 

Have you started Christmas shopping yet? Or are you a last minute shopper like I am?