Christmas Tree Adventures

It is our second Christmas here in Rexburg. Last year we got our tree the first week of December because Adrienne had just arrived and we happened to be out by the nursery that sold fresh Christmas trees.  It was really dried out by the time Christmas got here, but it was still a beautiful tree.  We decided to wait a couple of weeks this year and went out this weekend to get our tree!  Only the nursery was closed with a sign that said, "Out of trees, closed for the season".  What???  In the Northwest, there are trees stands on every corner and fresh trees you can cut down yourself are within a 20 minute drive.  In Rexburg, you can get a permit to go cut your own tree, but I have seen the trees that nature produces all on her own in the wild.  They must not get enough moisture throughout the year?  Anyway, the one tree stand is at the local grocery store and the trees are small, skinny, spindly and come kinda yellow to start with.  What in the world were we going to do??

We went to the local "Marts" to look at artificial trees, but the only ones we liked were really expensive.  We drove to Idaho Falls and went to Home Depot.  I am sure the real trees there were lovely, but being from the Northwest, Richard and I are kinda snooty about our trees. We like them to come with the majority of their needles!  We went inside and found an artificial tree we liked, but it was WAY expensive!  So off to Lowe's we went.  They don't share a parking lot here, but they aren't too far apart.  After much debate, we actually decided on the cheapest tree they had. It was nice, it would do for a few years and it was affordable.

Sunday after church Richard opened the box and put it together. He came to find me and told me not to cry, it would be okay!  hahaha  He knows me well.  The kids fluffed up the branches and we got started decorating it.  After the garland was on, Richard and I sat back and let Annalina and Joseph put up all the ornaments.  They wanted to stop after a while, but being the mean parents we are, we made them put on every ornament that had a hook!  The result was a beautiful little Christmas tree that might make me cry, only because it is so beautiful!

After the tree was done, Joseph got the great idea to scatter colorful marbles on the tree skirt!  The kid is brilliant, it adds a really nice touch!