It's beginning to smell alot like Christmas

This last weekend we went to pick up a Christmas tree.  We were debating getting an artificial tree, but I just couldn't find the right one (or the right price..yikes!).  So we kept with tradition and got a live tree.  Went and picked one out at Costco.  This is how we roll.....

I tried to tell someone (Matt) at the store it looked really big.  He said it wasn't any bigger than years past.  Well, we brought it in, and it engulfed our house.  It is HUGE! 

We were quick to get to decorating (after a few lighting difficulties).  Sadi was happy to help me decorate the giant.  We have so many special ornaments that we didn't even hang any of our store bought ornaments.

The kids decorated their own trees with the ornaments that they have collected over the years.

They have an ornament for each year since birth.  Ever since they were big enough, they have picked out their own ornament.  This year's treasures....

Chase picked out a a squirrel.  He really wanted the singing squirrel he found that danced and sang I'm getting "nuttin" for Christmas but it wasn't an actual ornament so, when I found this squirrel he was sold.  Sadi was searching for her favorite winter animal.  You would think a penguin would be easy to find...not the case.  We FINALLY found one.  And he was perfect.

They had fun decorating their little trees, that get a little fuller every year.

We snuggled up that night under the tree and started reading a new Christmas story, The worst best Christmas pageant ever. 

Although I don't love watering this guzzling beast, I LOVE that sweet smell of pine.