The trimming of the tree

Today we decorated our Christmas tree--and what fun we had.  The kids were excited all afternoon about doing it.  Once the lights were strung and the star officially placed on top by Jeff, the kids went to town. 

Kate was able to take part in the decorating this year.  It's been a joy to see her this Christmas season as the house is decorated.  Every time she spots a Christmas decoration that she hasn't seen yet, she is thrilled over it and points it out to me as if it is the first time I've seen it, as well.

We were all pleased with the end result.  It is a merry start to the Christmas season!

The Christmas Tree hunt

Another Christmas season has officially begun.  Without fail, on either the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving, we always cut down our Christmas tree.  This year, I wasn't feeling very much in the holiday mood.  I was tempted to skimp on holiday traditions, but my good husband wouldn't hear of it.  He insisted we keep with the tree cutting tradition.  I'm glad that he did.  Afterwards, I was feeling much more in the mood to do all that Christmas requires--and enjoy it while doing it. (We even found the radio station that plays continuous Christmas songs until Christmas day.)

We went to a new place this year--Haring Tree Farm--which we were very pleased with.  I was tired of having bloody hands after stringing the lights on the tree and this year we found a farm that offers trees with sturdy branches, but soft needles.  After finding just the right Douglas Fir (or rather, a good enough Douglas Fir, since the temperature was low and the winds gusty), Jeff cut the lovely tree down. 

We were rather amazed at Joost's strength this year.  He's reached that point where he's stronger than he realizes.  (I can attest to that.  The other day he gave me a playful punch in the back and it hurt a lot!)  Joost hulled the tree up the hill from where we cut it to where it would be bagged.  There was not one request for help or complaint about it being too heavy.

And then, to our delight, we saw Mom and Dad coming our way.  They had decided to cut their tree at the same farm at the same time (you can probably tell where the tree cutting tradition began.) 

We then had the tree shaken and bagged.  (The shaking was new to us and such a treat upon bringing the tree home--not a single needle to vacuum after bringing it through the door.)

As we went towards the van with our tree, who else should be seen pulling up to the tree farm but my Aunt Dee, Uncle Frank and cousins (along with husband and kids)!  It was apparently meant to be a family outing without any of us planning it.

After a busy morning of tree hunting, Kate was worn out and fell fast asleep on the ride home.

Thanksgiving season 2010

It's always great to enter into the holiday season. The kids are especially enjoying it with all the extra things they do at school to celebrate Thanksgiving. I forget, sometimes, how wonderful and exciting the holidays are as a child. 

Joost made (all with his own little hands) an Indian headdress as a project in class.

Grace's class, in preparation for the Thanksgiving feast they'd be having at school, made both Pilgrim and Indian head ware.  They could then choose which to be for the feast.  She decided to be an Indian girl named Golden Flower.

After all the different celebrations of Thanksgiving in school happened, the actual day came and we drove to Doylestown to spend the day with Jeff's family.  The children had a wonderful time with all their (eleven--7 years and younger) cousins.  It was sometimes deafening for the adults, but happy memories were made.

 

Dinner was delicious with all the traditional sides. 

And the turkey made all of us a little sleepy, too.