Holiday Preparations!

We found a great place to go cut down our own Christmas tree this year: Sunny Day Tree Farm (where it's always a sunny day!). Nice people, beautiful setting, and Santa was there, too! (pictures of Santa will be on the Christmas card - don't want to spoil the surprise here...)

Where, oh where, is the perfect tree?

Ben was inspecting the needles very carefully...We found a cute down and daddy cut it down.

And then had to carry it back to the car. Ben wanted to help.
So he did. Sort of.

Doesn't this next one look so timeless - It could be grandpa Ron in 1953, dontcha think?

Eli was along, but hung out in the ERGO for the most of the visit.

Here are a couple of shots from around the house this week.

Andy's family had their holiday party this past Saturday. Cousin Annette hosted all of us and cooked an incredible feast - I told her she should has now attained cooking rock star status. The family tradition of "The Little Red Chair" was resurrected this year, after a lengthy hiatus. The kids each take turns sitting on the little red chair and open a gift in front of all party go-ers. Ben started off, because he was the youngest able kid. (Eli and Grant are a bit young still).
Everyone was excited to see what was in the gift!
Ahh, a truck.
We were very happy to see everyone, but especially Aaron, Rhonda and 3 week old Grant, who were able to make an appearance, even after a scary hospital stay (all seems to be better now!) Here's Rhonda with Eli:

One more week of school then we're off to MN for Christmas!! Can't wait to see everyone back home!