The Day after Thanksgiving

 Every year we get our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.  This year, because the day had gotten away from us, Matt and Addy went on the tree finding venture alone.   I had crazy baby boy duty and was in charge of getting them to bed and prepping tree stuff.

 First pre-tree tree picture together.  We feel bad not having all of us do this annual event together but after hosting dinner the night before we were all exhausted and the boys needed to get back onto schedule.

 

Mom and kids .  This is the best kind of photo.  Un rehearsed, all real.

 

She cracks me up.  She was decked and ready to go on an 'adventure' with Dad.  Head lamp and all. She assured me she would get the best tree for us.  I put it all in her hands.  Daddy was just there to pay and transport.  She was confident that with her headgear she could get the job done.  To Walmart they went.  Sounds bizzarre to get your tree there but they are less than thirty dollars and we have never had a bad one yet.  Next year we will do the whole sleigh ride and cut your own route.  Will be a more involved memory and something we have never done.

 

Tree is home and Addy is proud.  Now is the test.  Will it be another beauty?

 

Taking stock of ornaments and Addy picked the ones she would be in charge of.  I love looking through them again every year and this year was especially fun because she was actually interested in the story behind each one . Next week as an Advent activity we will do our trip out to each pick our own ornament for the year.

 

Daddy puts it up and Mommy does the lights.

 She found a hiding spot to investigate the ornaments further.  I love these moments when I catch the kids in their own quiet space.  She is under the tree , safe, comfortable and engaged in her own little world.  These moments are priceless.  These are the moments I feel most proud as a Mom.  To see your child completely at ease in life...not a care because they know that 'everything is ok.'

 

Daddy got to sit back and chow down while the girls of the house got things beautiful.  Addy really was incredibly helpful and 90% of the placement of her ornaments are still in the spots she put them in.   The tree turned out fabulous.

 

Honor of the finishing touches.  This will always be her special job.  Fun to look back at the pcitures from years before of her and Matt doing this exact same thing.

 

Proud.

 

Once things were coming to an end as far as decorating the tree, I went ahead and wrapped all the picture frames in the house.  It gives it a real warm feel and changes things up a bit.  An old friend of mines Mom use to do it and Ive done it every year since seeing it and falling in love with the idea.

The boys seeing the tree for the first time the next morning . My husband is a rock star as far as getting important things done like this gate.  The tree wouldn't have lasted a day with the boys.  While everyone was in bed Matt even put in a new outlet behind the tree to avoid having wires around. ( I was nervous about this set up and the safety of the kids....and he saved the day)

Andrew loves it.  Look at that face. Such a silly boy.

George loved it so much he used his brother as a step ladder to try and get a closer look.

The end of the year is turning out great.  So many precious memories as a family of five. Looking forward to what the Advent Calendar has in store for adventures in the weeks to come.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13