We took our annual Christmas tree trip to Sugar Plum Farms today.
This is our 10th year as a family going...and I say that loosely because I haven't been able to go the past 3 years! Three years ago, Lilly was just a tiny newborn, the year after that I was miserably 2 months pregnant with Brilee, and last year I stayed home with Brilee since it was very snowy and cold in the mountains. The kids enjoyed that trip last year, but I thought it would be hard to take a 6 month old in those conditions. Because they remember the snow from last year, they were hoping it would snow today...but were sorely disappointed by the lack of snow. However, they still got to see some remnants from earlier in the week on the drive up in shady spots, which seemed good enough for them!
Sugar Plum Farms is bright and cheerful with a huge blow up Elf and Santa.
Brilee & Lynn
But Brilee was NOT going to have a thing to do with him!
The tractor finally arrived to take us up to pick out our tree!
Smiles all around
Somewhat of a family picture...
This was the first tree Sean wanted to get...the poles are 12 feet tall if that gives any perspective!
Our Christmas tree (it looks smaller in this pic due to the angle of the picture!)
Last attempt at a family photo, but the sun wasn't cooperating
Nana & Papaw
After we cut down the tree, we sat by the fire to roast marshmallows while we waited for daddy to load the tree on the van. Only, daddy had the marshmallows with him (in the bag given to the kids from Santa). So, we told them we would roast them when daddy was finished. Only, when he was finished, he had to drive around to the red building to pay, and we never made it back over to the fire. And, boy, did Sean let us know when we were leaving that we didn't get a chance to roast the marshmallows! We promised him smores with them at home, which made him calm down.
More photo ops in front of cute props with holes for little heads ;)
Brilee kept peeking her head through, and saying "pee-boo!" then shut the door behind herself
Goodbye, Sugar Plum Farms until next year!
Time to unload the tree back at home (after the 3 hour drive home!)
The kids love to see when the tree falls out being un-baled.
Sean loves to vacuum up the needles left behind...
The advent calendar I made out of recycled paper bags and ad clippings...idea from links on Truth in the Tinsel's page...I have her daily clues hidden in each day's pocket.
Decorating the tree...they all seem to congregate in one area on the tree, though...
Sean hung all his ornaments right next to each other...he will get his 5th one this year (last in the Child Age series.) I think these are neat for him since his birthday is Dec 29th, and he gets each one on the Christmas right before his birthday. I can't believe my baby will be 5 this year! :(
The kids' stockings...
My favorite Christmas decorations...LOVE Willow Tree!
Sean placing the angel on top...
And Lilly's turn...
We have a couple of strands of flashing lights, so it's hard to capture them when they're all on (so there aren't bare spots on the tree like it looks here!)
I am really looking forward to this Christmas! And apparently, Sean is too--while we were decorating, he said, "Mommy, I can't wait until I'm sitting RIGHT HERE opening presents on Christmas!"
