O' Christmas Tree

Every year Justin asks if we can forgo our pre-light artificial Christmas tree for a live tree.  For some reason, I've always been against it.  The expense, the hassle of cleaning up the pine all over the carpet, the idea of chopping down a tree, ect.

However, this year we gave him his wish. 

And I have to say we did create some really great family memories together. 

We headed to Big Tree Plantation and the 5 of us (and our friends, the Lauters) bundled up and were handed a sled and a saw.  We set out to the forest of pine trees and collectively decided on which tree would be perfect for our family room. 

Once we spotted in, Justin and Jack sawed the tree down.  The 8 foot tree fell down pretty hard.  We tied it up to the sled and drug it back up to the car.  Super fun.  Very festive.  And very sappy.

Two hours later, once we got it home we laughed as we realized how ENORMOUS the tree was in proportion to our family room.  Think Clark Griswald here. 

There might have been a few, "I told you so, Justin!" 

But once we trimmed it down and put up 900 colored lights, and ornaments - the tree is a BEAUTY.

And smells like a White Christmas in our house. I am thinking this may be a NEW family tradition for us.  At least every other year or so...