Oh Christmas Tree 2012

We had a great time getting our tree on Sunday with Josh, Allison, and Chase.  Of course when we got home Sunday night we had to put it up right away.

I remember being a kid and going to get our tree.  We always cut one down from somewhere.  We would spend a LONG time picking out the perfect tree, my dad hated it.  Or pretended he hated it. 

But when we got it home we had to put it up and "let the branches fall"  " let it warm up" What a load of bull crap.  I couldn't wait to decorate the tree.  We always had to wait, sometimes till the next day.  What a punishment.  I vowed to never make my kids wait.  We cut it down, drive it home, put it up, get lights on it, and BAM its decorated!! 

I treasure this time.  It's only a matter of time before my kids won't want to help decorate.  We go through all the ornaments, talk about where we got them.  I have several from my Uncle Gary from when I was growing up.  Jeremy has several that his mom gave us from when he was growing up.  He even has an original Elf on the Shelf.  We never knew who he was till a few years ago.  We just thought he was an ugly antique elf.  Who knew he was watching us all these years. 

It's one of those times that the kids get along and are helpful to each other.  We get it done pretty quickly since we're all helping. 

I do have to say that this years tree is the smallest I think that Jeremy and I have ever had.  Even in our small apartment and small house on Weeks.  Its pretty.  Just doesn't have that wow factor for me.  Jeremy is pleased that the top isn't jamming into the ceiling.  I do think it looks better since it doesn't look like the top of it is upstairs in Sarah's room.  I guess I just like a fatter tree.   

It's a pretty tree.

Made more pretty by the tree skirt that my grandma Hartley made for my mom and dad many years ago. 

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year we went over to my Aunts house.  We usually spend it at my inlaws but decided to do something a little different this year.  We had a delicious meal.  The turkey was so good.  She lives in a little bitty house but it was perfect.  Everyone was together and we had a great time.  I did miss having my dad there but he was up north.

We took family pics of the groups of families that were there.  Of course my son would be the one to ruin the photo.  Brat 

 

  On Saturday we went to my inlaws to have a late Thanksgiving meal and celebrate my mother in laws birthday.  She loves her birthday and loves to celebrate it.  My father in law made her a cake and we were all able to be there to enjoy the day with her.  We finished off the night playing apples to apples.  Fun game, we were laughing awfully hard.  Such a gassy family.

 

We spend the weekend at Josh and Allisons house and on Sunday we went with them to get our Christmas trees.  We went to Klucks, in Saginaw.  It was a lot of fun.  We both found the "perfect" tree.  We took a wagon ride and had some hot chocolate around the fire.   

It's so nice to be close with my brother.  We weren't close growing up and I'm sorry for that.  I was not a nice sister.  Now I just love him to death.  He married the perfect girl for him and they have a nice little life.  Allison is a wonderful host and I love how she always wants us to stay at their house.  They were living in a little house, and recently bought a bigger home.  Now they can have us there overnight and I think thats where will be staying alot of the time we are in Bay City. 

I think this was one of the best Thanksgivings.  I am very thankful for all that I have.  It's been a tough year, but not compared to many other people so I try to think about the positive and move on.