Saturday, November 30, 2019

Christmas tree farm ...




Elizabeth Tree Farm ... this is our second time coming to this big tree farm in search of our Christmas tree.  For years, we drove about ten minutes to a farm that sold live trees, picked out one and brought it home.  The whole project was done in a few hours.  But last year we went to this farm and actually picked out a tree, cut it down ourselves and then brought it home.  The whole experience was so fun that we decided to do it again!

But this year, we pulled in the farm driveway and the place was packed out!!!!!  There was a long line and it was freezing cold!  We took turns standing in line while the others browsed around the gift barn, ate some Auntie Anne's pretzels, drank hot chocolate and ate roasted nuts.  Nothing went wrong but it took time to wait through the crowd!!!!





Thankfully, there were campfire here and there to warm us up!



There was also an animal barn to visit.



This year we hopped on a tractor wagon and they drove us out to the field.  Then there we got on a horse driven wagon and drove through the tree rows.  We were dropped off and then we went searching for the perfect Christmas tree!




We needed to grab a saw before getting on the wagon and then we picked out our 8 1/2 foot tree, the boys cut it down!


Meanwhile, we took a few photos!


Jeremiah got to ride along this time!!!!  What a fun couple!






He loved it and even though it was freezing cold, he didn't complain a bit!!!!






We cut the tree, loaded it up and off we went back to the farm!!!!




We needed to do something to stay warm!







After the tree was measured and wrapped, we were taken back to the farm to pay and load it up on the Yukon roof!




It took us 4 1/2 hours to get this all done but it's in these precious memories that we make that make the season way more fun!!!!  Christmas shouldn't be a time to rush through all the traditions just to say you did them!  It should be a time to cherish together!  To laugh!  To enjoy!!!

Hadassah and Jeremiah jumped out as soon as we got back home because they were going with his family yet to get a tree!!!  One farm to the next!

Meanwhile, we brought our tree inside and when we finally had it straight and sturdy, I filled up the tree base stand with water.  Suddenly, water was running everywhere!  We had a crack in the base and needed to switch it.  The only week I bought a tree stand at Goodwill for $1.99 thinking I would use and need it for a tree I want to set up at church.  Looks like we need it first here at home!

We did it switched out and started stringing lights and hanging ornaments.  Ashlyn was all into it!  She hung all the ornaments except for the very top ones!  I think it looks beautiful!!!!





The living room now smells like fresh pine and twinkles from the lights!  I love it!!!!

I went to bed last night with a sore throat and woke up to it really hurting.  Austin and Ashlyn were both under the weather too.  We spent today at home trying to doctor up our throats, colds and warm heads!!!!  I'm not ready for the sicknesses to try to enter our doors!!!  Stay healthy all winter long is a great blessing and not one we want to take lightly!

I was still up and about some today doing some more Christmas decorating!  Ashlyn and Austin wanted to string some popcorn and cranberries on a string and then put it on the tree!



We are still not feeling the greatest and Austin and I are just not feeling well.  I have a cold and he's got a warm head.  I am praying this leaves us quickly!  The two of us are here at home resting while the others went out to get a bite to eat.  Ashlyn begs for sushi and so they went out to get some!  I love how Mike makes outings like this so fun for the kids!!!!

The Christmas tree is lit and the lights are twinkling!  The ornaments are hung and the radio is playing Christmas music once again!  Our month of December is filled with fun events and we are gonna celebrate the birth of Jesus all month long!!!!!

This is the best time of the year!!!!!