Quickest Tree Adventure Yet

Our Christmas Tree Tradition has been to go out into the snowy mountains, hike and play in the snow, drink hot chocolate and then find a tree.  That tree is usually bigger than the height of our ceiling and we have to make some adjustments, but over all it is an all day experience. 

This year we changed that tradition --slightly.  To get a tree tag from a ranger station is quite a drive from here. We didn't want to drive a super long ways because of one particular reason.  The trees -in the forest- are WAY different!
They are more like this:


Ponderosa Pine

With needles like this: 

 

So I went looking for Christmas tree farms....the next best thing...

 

There aren't any!

 

So I went looking for a Christmas tree lot.

 

There was ONE!  With a couple of bushy-Grandma Gibb type trees.

 

Hmmm...so...for our family night --in the cover of darkness--...we went here: 



They had a couple varieties to choose from. And so we went with a more 'traditional' looking tree, the noble fir.  Actually we bought two.  The small second tree is for our outside entry. 

 

It holds two strands of lights --compared to 5 to 6 from previous years.

And it was done in about 40 minutes.  Compared to a lot more in years past. 

It smells great and looks pretty cute---such a tiny little guy!

It is downstairs this year.
There is a great little room off the
family room.

Here are some pictures of our simple ideas of holiday cheer in our home.

Upstairs family room.

Entry:  The felt  tree to the right is our thankful tree.
Joel's idea:  we will 'decorate' it with things we
are thankful for.  Smart boy!

Downstairs...

Bottom of the stairs:  Kid art...nothing can top it!

Grandma Grangers stitching adds great color!
Downstairs