Oh! Christmas Tree

Yesterday we went on our first ever trek to the mountains to pick out and cut down a Christmas Tree.  Sean & Anne get the required permits and go every year and this year we were invited along.  Everyone was looking forward to it.  We were all up, dressed and out the door a little after 8am and headed off to meet The O'Reillys, The Balluffs and several other of their friends.  On the way there, we listened to Christmas music and talked about how big of a tree we were going to find.  It seemed like it was going to be so much fun....

Sometimes you win, and well...sometimes you don't.

When we reached the approved cutting location everyone bundled up as it was only about 34 degrees outside.  We started walking through the forest looking for a perfect tree.  We had warned JP that these trees will be nowhere near as big and full as he was used to, but I think he thought if kept looking he would find "the perfect" tree.  Unfortunately, after about 45 minutes or so "the perfect" tree had not appeared and the girls were getting cold and tired.  We tried to get JP to decide on a tree and when we wouldn't let him keep searching he had an all out temper tantrum/breakdown.  Wow, we did not see that one coming.  He eventually pulled it together, but by that time the girls were in all out crying mode.  As soon as the tree we picked was cut and hit the ground I walked the girls back up to the car.  I felt so bad that I could not carry them, but since I could not carry both of them I had to make them walk.  Ryan stayed behind with the boys to help carry the tree up and he really was (as we call it in our house) the All Star of the day!

JP has now told me twice that he thinks he is on the naughty list this year and I have told him that he has 29 more days to turn it around.  One other thing I should add is that he has been throwing up with the stomach flu all day today so that may have contributed to his behavior, but it was still unacceptable.  Joe said it was like The Blair Witch Project- he just wanted out of the woods! :) Not the happiest memories in the forest this year, but we do have a nice (tall) tree that we are looking forward to decorating in the next week.  The one thing I know, is that if we do go again at least one of our children that will probably have near perfect behavior! :)

Our caravan of cars heading to permit site:

JP having fun at first:

Best behavior award:

You can tell Caitlin still wasn't feeling well from being sick a few days before:

Maddi was actually having a blast at first.  She kept showing me her favorite tree- she had many...

Ryan and George played on one of the only patches of snow!

I had to sit JP on a stump for time out.  I told him that this was sad that this was how I was going to remember this day & Joe took a picture of it (I guess to help me remember)

Our tall tree.  We're definitely going to be cutting quite a bit off the bottom.

Here's a video of the tree getting ready to fall. I was trying to distract the girls from crying by trying to get them to sing...it only worked on Ryan!

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Bringing the tree to the car:

The day wore everyone out. Hopefully next year will be a different story!

Thanksgiving

In our usual Thanksgiving tradition, we celebrated with a fun family day.  We relaxed, played games and had lots of great food to eat.  This year I got Hi Ho Cherry O for the trio & a Star Wars game for JP.  We made Thanksgiving table decorations and all worked on leaves for our family Thankful Tree.  I had the idea that each of us would make out 5 leaves saying why we are thankful for all the other members of the family.  In the evening we read them aloud and taped them on the tree.  Joe & I thought it was so funny that we both had similar things for all of the kids.

We started off the morning as usual with a sweet treat- monkey bread & cantaloupe.  We played games and watched all the floats in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Everyone eagerly awaited Santa to make his appearance.  I love that JP's eyes still light up at 8.5 yrs old when he first sees him make an entrance.

After naps, it was just about time for the big meal.  Ryan loved everything, saying he especially liked the "french fries" on the green bean casserole.  The girls as usual didn't eat much, but yet still had room for dessert :).  We ended the evening with Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving.  It was a pretty wonderful day & as always we have so much to be thankful for.

On Wednesday, the trio had pajama day at school to "ease" into the holidays.  Unfortunately, Caitlin was up the night before with the stomach flu and couldn't go.  This was the 1st time all 3 did not attend school together.

Thanksgiving morning, the girls playing their own version of Connect 4:

Caitlin as she watched Santa appear at the Parade:

JP working on his placecard:

JP & Caitlin working on their Thankful Leaves:

JP pretending to carve the turkey:

The gang:

Let the feast begin!

Ryan digging in:

JP ate the whole drumstick!

The start of our Thankful Tree:

Our finished Tree.  It ended up being a fun project for everyone.  I thought what JP wrote about me was particularly funny :) Here is what everyone for this year:

I am thankful for JP because: Caitlin: he is my big brother. Mommy: he is one of the most creative people I know and I have learned how to make so many things out of cardboard from him. Madison: I read books to him. Ryan: he plays trains with me. Daddy: he always invents cool things and plays hoops with me.

I am thankful for Ryan because: Madison: he gives me lots of hugs. Daddy: he wakes me up each morning with a big bright smile. Caitlin: because I like to play animals with him. JP: he is funny. Mommy: his smile always makes me smile.

I am thankful for Caitlin because: JP: she doesn't poop her pants like Madison. Mommy: she always helps other people and gives nice hugs. Madison: she likes to hug me. Ryan: I like to give her hugs. Daddy: she is always so helpful when I need her help.

I am thankful for Madison because: Daddy: she has so much positive energy and likes my tricks & tickles. Ryan: she plays cars. Caitlin: I get to play with her. Mommy: she loves to sing happy songs and always has lots of pep. JP: she plays with me.

I am thankful for Daddy because: Ryan: he loves pickup trucks. JP: he plays basketball with me. Madison: I love him. Mommy: he always loves me and helps me remember how blessed we are. Caitlin: he does funny tricks.

I am thankful for Mommy because: Caitlin: she's nice. Daddy: she keeps our family and house running so well & she has beautiful eyes. Madison: Daddy loves you and I love you. Ryan: she shares with me. JP: if she wasn't around this house would be a mad house.

Pie time!

I love how JP closed his eyes when trying to win the wish bone! (he did win)

Finishing the night off with a little Charlie Brown.  Is there anything better than being naked with a full belly watching a silly beagle?!