Non-Traditional Tree Findings

This is the first year we haven't hunted and cut down our own tree at a Tree Farm. But, as the years go on we're learning that tweeking our traditions isn't a bad thing. It helps the sanity level for all of us. Our kids have the case of the yuckies. When I say yuckies, I mean clogged little noses and a cough that makes everyone in a grocery store turn around to stare at the coughing child. Our kids have good coughing manners - elbow coughs are the way we do it around here but still 3 out of 4 are sick and the cough sounds like it hurts. Dev's on his 2nd round of meds, Madi seems to be starting another cold (she's all kinds of boogary) and Isa is congested with a sore throat.

Daddy's been working Saturdays (and some Sundays) and on his way to work yesterday he called and said "if you want to get a tree this weekend and not wait...maybe we should go to Home Depot? I know it's not tradition but it might be best this year." The first thing I thought of was it would be Madi's first year really getting excited about this tradition. But, the idea of walking around the cold with the kids who would most likely be miserable didn't sound very fun. So, we talked to the kids and they agreed. Thankfully.

Daddy called us on his way home and we met him at Home Depot. We brought our hot chocolates (because the Tree Farm always gives out free hot chocolates with candycanes) and walked around looking for the perfect top on an un-dead-looking tree.

Madi's focus wasn't the greatest - as expected. But, she was excited when she found out the tree was coming home with us! The kids were happy to pick out the tree here. That's all that mattered to us.

We got home and I made Tortellini Sausage Soup and we drank sparkling apple cider. We always have a warm (soupy) type dinner after looking for our tree. We tried to keep everything the same - minus the hunt at a Tree Farm.

Everyone gobbled up their dinner...even Tiny Miss Picky Madi. Shocked us all! Maybe she's turning a new leaf of non-pickiness? One can dream right?

Daddy brought the tree inside! While Daddy was trimming the bottom of the tree. A family of raccoons visited us on our back deck and perched themselves in front of our back doors. My 4 four kids stared back at their family of 4 (Isa thought maybe 5) of raccoons. Madi spent the most time talking to them. I was doing dishes so I didn't get to take a picture but it was pretty funny.

Pulling out ornaments for the tree is like visiting old friends for our kids. They were so happy to talk about their ornaments that they made or received from Grandma Kim. Every year, she gets each child a new ornament so they have a set of just "their" ornaments. It's a very special tradition my kids look forward to every year.

I used the flash in this picture - I had every light on and without the flash it was blurred, any suggestions? I notice other pictures of Christmas trees are similar but it's kinda lame. I want a crisp Christmas Tree picture without the flash!

Without flash - blurred but at least you can see the lights on the tree.

3 hours later and a late bedtime our tree is trimmed. 4 happy (tired) kids ready for bed.