I think Lydia thought we were all a bit crazy. We got on a big wagon with a bunch of other families and headed out to a field full of trees that essentially looked all the same, fussed about which one was just right, then cut it down, had it tied up skinny, paid a lot of money for it, put in on our car, put it in our living room, put lights on it and all sorts of decorations. What in the world is all this about?
Ahhh….this is what we do every year, my dear Lydia. Welcome.
Taken from the hayride. Hundreds of trees just waiting to be cut down and decorated.
Drew pointed to every single tree, saying “How ’bout this one?”
This one? Too tall.
Clearly too small.
Too fat.
Total dud.
Still hunting.
All these pictures of the wrong trees and the only recorded memories of the right tree is on video. Trust me, we picked a good one.
This is where it once stood among its friends.
And, now….
It stands in our living room.
Ashlyn got to put the star on this year since she found the pickle ornament last year. Next year will be Evan’s turn. He found that pickle in nano seconds.
I love a fresh tree and the whole cutting-it-down experience. But, I have asked myself why I didn’t just think of this “artificial” tree. They are rather pretty, don’t you think?
Angie says
I am all for the artificial, prelit tree…I’m a woos! your tree is gorgeous!
Michele says
That post made me giggle! Looking at the photos made me feel a little panic-y. We bought a real tree for the first time this year. I just went to one of those “lots” and bought one. I was overwhelmed with the 20 or so trees they had! I would lose my mind at a tree farm! HAHA. It’s shame too, because we are surrounded by tree farms here in the mountains of NC!
Maybe next year we will do what you guys did. My kids would love it!! And maybe, just maybe, we will have a new little Chinese princess with us then!
Stephanie says
My friends do the pickle ornament, too! Funny!
Kelly says
I am lovin’ the paper tree. We do paper snowmen–much easier and warmer than the real thing.
Faith, Hope, and Love says
Oh how I love “bringing home the tree”! We always bring home a fresh tree…gotta love that smell! We decided not to this year, for it could be Liliana money. But…next year we look forward to “bringing home the tree”…Liliana in tow!
Your tree is gorgeous…perfect!! And I especially love the artifical one! ;)
Merry Christmas friend!
Love and blessings,
Robin
Lisa A : Izabella says
What a gorgeous tree. I miss the days of getting a fresh tree. We’ve had an artifical one since we moved in–my husband hates the mess–UGH–I’m a Vermonter, never dreamed of having a fake one. But, compromises don’t you know. :)
Hey–this is Lydia’s first Christmas isn’t it? Seriously, how adorable is that little one next to the staircase. I love that picture! So fun!
Merry Christmas Raudenbush Family!
Lisa says
Great tree and experience! Just found your blog through “We Are Grafted In”.
Jenna says
What you need to do is get a really bad illness, get discharged from the hospital just two days previous to your tree-putting-up day, and then be banned from going on the tree-shopping trip. Instead, send your wonderful husband who by some miracle arrives home 20 minutes later with the best Christmas tree you’ve ever had- the biggest and most perfectly shaped one too! :)
I’m just sayin’- that worked pretty well for me this year. :)