Our tree

While I was shopping on Friday, Woody & the girls set-up the Christmas tree! They had SO much fun & were wonderful little helpers:) Sorry these pictures aren't in order, but you get the idea...

Tada!

Everything was color coded, so it was fun for the girls to help separate the tree & then help put it together!

Here's what it looks like now, all decorated! It's very pretty, but part of me is still sad that we didn't get a real tree:( It's a tradition that goes back to when I was a kid. For as long as I can remember, my dad & I (sometimes my mom...she ususally said it was too cold & she would just stay home & get out the decorations!) would go to a tree farm & spend hours - depending on the weather - walking around & looking at trees & trying to find the perfect one! In fact, nine years ago today, Woody, my dad & I went to cut down a tree (my mom was at class that day) & afterwards, Woody took me to Red Wing & proposed to me:)

Tree shopping, but not for us...

A family tradition for the past four years, has been to go to the local tree farm with Mamie & Dan (& now with kids) to find "the perfect tree"! This year, we decided to go fake:( BUT, we still wanted to go with & walk amongst the trees & get in the Christmas mood! So we sort of helped find a tree for Mamie, Dan, Sam & Hannah.

We dressed the girls up in their cold weather gear (it was 18 degrees earlier that morning, but when we got there it was almost 30...I know, heat wave!). Paige looked like Ralphie's little brother (from A Christmas Story) & kept asking us to hold her because her legs hurt!? I'm pretty sure all of her gear weighed just about as much as she did & she was tired of "carrying" all that weight! (now she knows how I feel!...j/k) Here's Paigey pouting & crying on my shoulder...

The kids (minus Olivia, who was being shy) posing by a tree (yes, that's Paige on the far right..lol)

In search of the perfect tree! I think we may have found one...

Yep, and there it goes! The kids were giggling & laughing & chasing the tree as Dan drug it to his truck

Olivia & I (she finally posed for a picture)

Thanksgiving Day

Olivia was the last one at the table...she didn't eat any turkey, but something made her tired, because she fell asleep in grandpa's lap about an hour later! The family & the feast:)

My dad & I in the kitchen...he was a HUGE help!

My parents came the night before Thanksgiving & stayed until Friday morning. My dad & I were up at 6 AM to get the turkey going. He also helped me get everything else prepared! Thanks again, dad! My mom & Woody played with the girls & kept them out of the kitchen:) That afternoon, my mom & I went to see a movie...it was SO good, but very long! Woody & my dad played with the girls & took naps.

It was my first time hosting Thanksgiving & everything went smoothly! It was a nice, relaxed holiday!

Halloween

The girls opening their goody bags from grandma & grandpa Evermann Paige - the little flapper girl

Olivia - a butterfly fairy

Mary & the Cheech

The kids playing "pin the face on the pumpkin"

Fall fun=)

Posing with the pumpkinPicking out the seeds to bake later (which I burned, so we had to throw them away!)

Olivia LOVES to pick out pretty leaves

Paige looking sad (and kinda like a baby with that hat!)

Olivia helping daddy rake leaves

Apple Orchard '08

This one's for you, Barb! Olivia DID get a chance to hit the pinata=) All the kiddos!

Paigey & Hannah

Jeannie's scavenger hunt...

Woody & the girls

While mommy's away...

this what the girls do with daddy..."play" domino's

It looks like Paige is eating the candle (& I notice that her barrett's are in it too), but Olivia looks very proud of her stacking talent!

Hmmm, what's my next move?
Very impressive (although, Paige doesn't seem to think so!?)