The story of a tree

Last week I mentioned to Jay that we really should put a tree on the back porch. He seemed interested and that was all the motivation I needed. We do have a beautiful pre-lit artificial tree we got at Costco a few years back and it's a real beauty once you put it together, spread the limbs and apply all the ornaments BUT I wanted a fun tree with color and the smell of a real tree.
So yesterday after naps I told Katie Jo we were going on an adventure to buy a tree and decorate it to surprise Daddy. And off we went. First, we went to Walmart and I quickly loaded up on color, color, color! I let Katie Jo pick most of what we'd put on the tree, meaning I held up two choices and let her pick. After choosing as many fun things as I could think of we paid and left. It was nearing 5 o'clock and I wasn't sure we'd make it to the tree farm up the road with all the traffic but the glutton for punishment person I am we pushed on. We arrived at the tree farm right at 5 and swept in to find our tree. Katie Jo had such fun running up and down the tree aisles and I'm sorry I don't have a photo of that. We didn't have to look far and pick a nice 6 foot tree with barely any imperfections. Then the man asked the magic words, "Do you have your tree stand with you?" I hadn't really thought about the task of putting the tree stand on the bottom but he solved that issue for me. Right there in the middle of all the trees they turned ours on it's side, trimmed the bottom and set to the task of attaching the tree stand I had freshly purchased. God bless that man I don't think he will ever know the trouble he saved me. If you live in the area go to Stacks Nursery on Dorchester Rd. to buy a Christmas tree or any tree. You might want to take your tree stand with you!
So after shoving it into the van we were off once again. I loaded the tree into the porch, cut the string and ta da! we had our real tree. I got the lights on before Jay got home and after dinner we all decorated the rest. It now has all my Madame Alexander ornaments on it so it looks girly, as well as, fun.
The best part was turning all the lights off, sitting in the rocker, and rocking Katie Jo to sleep in my arms while she gazed at our adventure!

These are a few of my favorite things

If you read the previous post then you already saw where I mentioned how much I love my tree ornaments. Just about every single one conjures a memory of someone or a time in my life. So I thought I'd take you on a little tour of some of my favorite things.Here we are on the table all ready to be put on the tree!

This church ornament was given to me the day of my wedding by my flower lady. My mom and I went by the church to see how it all looked and she was sitting on the front pew working on some final touches. She gave me a gift and said she gives the same thing to all her brides. I opened it to find the sweet little church. She said she felt like all brides should have an ornament that reminded them of the day they got married.

This ornament with my name and 81 was given to my mom by her sweet friend Denise. She cross stitched several and I got this one when I finally had my own tree to decorate.

Katie Jo was born in May and when it got close to her first Christmas I emailed all our immediate family and asked them to send her an ornament that best represented who they were. I wanted to start making some family traditions and I thought what a fun way to think of her aunts, uncles, grandparents, and great-grandparents than to look at each of "their ornaments." I can remember so clearly getting each one and how they all were so perfect. Every year since I have so enjoyed getting these out and thinking of our family.

This is my favorite family ornament. It is the rooster my grandmother sent. There couldn't have been anything more perfect since all growing up she collected roosters and it's what I think of when I envision the inside of her house.

These are the ornaments we brought back from Germany. I especially love the white ones with Edelweiss painted on them.

This is a pack of "Brides Tree" ornaments. We got them from Jan and Larry when we got married and they were the first fancy ornaments I had to put on our tree. They each hold a meaning. My favorite is the rabbit and it represents hope and faith.

The Madame Alexander dolls are so precious to me that when I open each box and take them out I just want to stare at them till they come to life! My mom started getting me these every year since 1993. I've been waiting to give them their own tree and this year it finally happened. Pictures of that soon to come.

Jay has several special ornaments that we add to our tree each year but these are his Clemson Commemorative ornaments that his mom has gotten for him every year since 1991.

These beautiful red and gold ornaments were given to us our first Christmas by Jay's mom. I remember they came in a big Belks box and were each individually wrapped in tissue paper. I was so excited to get them and add to our tree.

This is my Christmas china which I adore. Jay was so appalled when I registered for it on top of the fine china. He could not understand why in the world I would need china for only one time a year when we'd probably never use our other anyway. He was probably right but I sure love how it looks in the china cabinet.

This is our nativity pyramid from Germany. I remember looking and looking for the perfect one in a Christmas store. These things are everywhere over there and they come in all shapes and sizes. I didn't want to spend a bundle on it but I did want a nativity scene and more than one level. I don't get to light it very often with kids around but the blades move fast once the heat rises from the candles. And if you've ever watched Christmas Vacation and seen the scene where Randy Quaid takes his finger and flicks the blades and the whole thing collapses I'm here to tell you that doesn't really happen.

This is my Waterford nativity scene that my mom gave us. It's so little and sweet and very breakable! Don't worry Judy it's up way high.

Couldn't you just sweep up these little snow babies and hug them. Don't! They are breakable. Our sweet friend Geraldine gave these to us when we got married. Once again I just love how many things we have from people that love us and I wonder if they'll ever know what joy they give us this time of year when we look at them and remember.

Lastly, this was a deal I found at a yard sale a few months back. $5 people! You can't beat that. It's definitely the only snow we'll see this year in our back yard.

Christmas Survey

Jay's mom sent this to me and I thought it would be fun to post answers for the whole family.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Jay- wrapping paper
Amber- wrapping paper
Katie Jo- wrapping paper
Georgia- wrapping paper

2. Real tree or Artificial?

J- real
A-Real
KJ- the kind with lights
G-ditto

4. When do you take the tree down?  

Family answer- Around new years

5. Do you like eggnog? 

J- yes
A- no
KJ- what's eggnog?
G- ditto

6. Favorite gift received as a child? 

J- Army men
A- Barbie Dream House
KJ- Dress up clothes from last year
G- Play piano from last year

7.  Hardest person to buy for?

J- I don't know
A- no one
KJ- I can't, I don't have any money
G- ditto

8.  Easiest person to buy for

J- Me
A- Jay
KJ- My mom and dad.  I just have to tell them I love them.
G- ditto

9.  Do you have a nativity scene?  

Family answer- several

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? 

Family answer- mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received.
J- the year I woke up and didn't see any gifts for me
  (they were on the dining room table in the dark.)
A- clothes that don't fit (it's so frustrating) 
KJ- anything that doesn't make noise
G- anything that doesn't have flashing lights

12. Favorite Christmas
Movie? 

J- Christmas Vacation
A- Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story
KJ- Mickey Mouse Christmas DVD
G- not sure yet

13. When do you start shopping for  x mas?

J- the 23rd with overnight shipping
A- All year long

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
J- no
A- yes
the girls- get rid of something?  r u kidding?

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
J- G$'s crock pot mac and cheese
A- Mama's stuffing and gravy
KJ- mac and cheese
Georgia- anything

16. Lights on the tree?

J- white

A- colored

KJ- yes

Georgia- yes

17. Favorite Christmas song?
J- O Come Emmanuel
A- O Holy Night
KJ- Jingle Bells and Away in a Manger
G- not sure yet

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? 

Family Answer- Stay Home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? 

J- yes
A- no
KJ- not yet but the season has just started
G- what's a reindeer?

21. Open the presents Christmas eve or Christmas
morning? 

J- morning
A- morning
KJ- PJ's on Christmas Eve and everything else in the a.m.
G- ditto

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
J- commercialization of Christmas
A- by December 24th, the Christmas music
KJ- there are 25 more days until Christmas
G- ditto

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? 

J- green, gold, and red
A- Every single ornament we put on our tree.
  I love touching each one and remembering who gave it to us or
  the memory I recall just from looking at it.
KJ- I can't remember which one it was but KJ kept taking one off
      the tree last year.  When I get them out I'll post about it.
G- not sure yet

24. Favorite Christmas dinner?
Family answer- last year when we fried our first Christmas Turkey.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
J- skiing trip to Vail
A- Ann Taylor gift card
KJ- a hamburger
G- ditto

Just some pics

Wordless Wednesday

Free Yum!

We are off to Starbucks to take advantage of the "I Voted" sticker = free coffee treat!

How many minutes did it take to do your part?

In my case 60. In line at 8:13. Voted at 9:13. Mission completion!

Halloween Fun!

Last night we went trick or treating with our friends. Katie Jo had an awesome time running from house to house. She did so well with saying "Trick or Treat" and then "Thank you." Several times she asked for more candy which I would have been embarrassed by except that she's three. I was glad to have other children with us since that made things more fun. Georgia didn't go since she had a runny nose and it was pretty cold out.

Sloan, Katie Jo and Baby Bop/Reilly Kaye

Notice the little sad child standing at the door.

I carved it thank you very much.

This was the view I had most of the night.

I love how Sloan has the protective hand on her back!

This was the last house after tick or treating for over an hour.

Sitting on the front porch after all the festivities eating the one piece of candy we let her have. She choose the sucker which I thought was smart since it lasted the longest. She's crafty that way!

Here's all the candy she brought home. We'll still have it until Easter I'm sure.

Fall Festival

Katie Jo and Daddy

We had our church fall festival Thursday night. The girls had a great time and Katie Jo loved the jump castle the most. Georgia enjoyed running around. We stayed way past her bedtime and she was beyond exhausted when we finally got home. It was fun and Katie Jo was pleased with the treats she scored from the festival games.

Georgia with Mr. Mark

Georgia and Reilly Kaye

Georgia wanted to go in the jump castle sooo bad!

Our little cowgirl and lovebug walking in with Daddy.

Reilly Kaye, Katie Jo, Sloan and Georgia

Mommy and Georgia

A healthy meal of pizza and Cheetos.

Kayci and me