Oh, Christmas Tree

We are full into the sights and sounds of Christmas around here.  We had a minor setback this week when I came down with a not so fun case of strep throat, but thankfully I am feeling better now and am ready to get right back into Christmas.

One of the things Troy and I really wanted to do this year was go to a tree farm to get a real Christmas tree.  We have had a fake tree for the past few years, but always thought the idea of going to a tree farm to get one sounded so fun and once you have children of your own, those kinds of memories are even more important.  We had heard about several different tree farms around us, but while we were at Thanksgiving I was looking through a Midwest Living magazine at my mother and father in laws house and came across a tree farm that caught my attention.  At the time, I had no idea where it was, but I was loving the pictures and how perfect the tree farm looked.  As I continued to read it said the tree farm was in Thorntown, IN, outside of Indianapolis.  I was so excited when I found out this beautiful tree farm in Midwest Living was only about a 25 minute drive from our house. 

Dull's Tree Farm did not disappoint.  All I kept saying as we were walking around was, "This is so cute!"  The whole place just screamed Christmas.  Rows of fresh trees as far as you could see, a big fire pit where you could sit and get warm, a huge red barn where they wrap your tree up, cozy cottages with fire places where you can get hot chocolate and a horse drawn wagon ride.  I was a happy girl.

And so was Ashlyn....ready to go find the perfect tree

 Kyla and all of the trees. And the little bit of snow....perfect. 

Daddy, Kyla, the saw and the tree carrier....we are ready.

We found it!

Daddy getting to work and Ashlyn peeking in

Our tree cutter

Got it down!

Sisters

 Time to take our tree with us

 Lots of trees and two little girls

 Time for some hot chocolate

Loved this red barn

Gonna take a wagon ride

We got our tree home and got it all decorated.  My favorite part is the great smell.  I think it is safe to say that we have a new Christmas tradition.

Favorite Days

We went to bed last night with the latest forecast saying we could see snow today.  I woke up this morning and heard the cold rain pounding down.  I was happy thinking that the rain I was hearing could turn to snow.....I am a snow lover.  And I was really happy because today we had absolutely nothing scheduled.  Nothing.  That hardly ever happens.  Ashlyn has therapy three times a week, Kyla has preschool and there are various other things we are involved in.  But, today was free.....and it might snow......happiness.

The girls and I took our sweet time getting going and stayed in our jammies a little longer than usual. 

And as we were having breakfast I was already loving how cozy this day was going to be.  A cold day, Christmas time and the promise of the first snow of the season coming.....well, that is a day where you have to bake cookies.  So, we got dressed and headed out in the rain to get a few things we would need.

Perfect day for our boots

All bundled up

Ready to face the elements

While we were at the store, we walked the baking aisle and talked about what kind of cookies we should make.  There are all sorts of kinds that I love at Christmas, one of those being peanut butter blossoms.  As much as I love them, my husband loves them more.  They are his favorite at Christmas.  So, we decided to make daddy's favorite.  While we were driving home from the store, Kyla said, "Mommy, can these cookies be a surprise for daddy?"  Definitely they can. 

Time to bake....working on unwrapping the Hershey's kisses

Helping with the dough

And helping herself to a taste :)

Lining them all up

And the best part....taking a bite after they are baked and cooled

After the cookies were baked and while we were eating lunch, I looked out and saw that the rain was starting to have white mixed in with it.  I told Kyla to look and the excitement began.....for both of us. Kyla decided she better go get her binoculars to get a better look at the snow that was starting to fall.

Happy about what she is seeing out the front door

And a few hours later, those little specks of white turned into this....hello, first snow of the season....

Taking it all in

Kyla checking it out from her bedroom window

And when we weren't looking out the windows at the falling snow, I got a little help with some cleaning from
a sweet little helper.

Today was my favorite kind of day.  Everything I love all fell into one day. 

Two happy sisters

And a happy man who came home to his squealing four year old girl telling him that we made him a surprise

A cozy day at home, nothing on our schedule, the joy of the first snow, making memories with my girls.....this was my favorite kind of day.

Thankful

We just got back yesterday from celebrating Thanksgiving with the Hochstetler side of our family.  Thanksgiving is definitely one of my favorite holidays and we were so blessed to be with our family.  We had a blast with them, as we always do.  The girls are getting to that age when being at Grandma and Grandpa's house is one of the best things on earth.  Kyla cries now when we leave, it kind of breaks my heart. 

I always have a blast because I have such a fun mother in law and sister in law.  We all share a love for pinterest and when we arrived they had pinterest projects waiting for us to to do.  Love that!  They even had a pinterest project for Kyla.  And, we always have fun doing a little shopping together....I am so blessed to have them in my life.

There was also a first this Thanksgiving.  I have been wondering what all the hype over Black Friday is and so I convinced my sweet husband to come along with me this year to see what it is all about.  We can chalk this one up under "the things you do for love" category, because Troy doesn't particularly love shopping on a regular day.  Also, one of the biggest differences between the two of us is that I am a night owl and he is an early bird.  Which is why I thought I would much rather do the Black Friday thing when the stores opened at midnight than get up at the crack of dawn.  He obliged and took a nice two hour nap before we left.  My overall take on Black Friday is that I was less than impressed.  I think I was going in with visions of getting high priced items for next to nothing.  Also, I didn't have a plan or a particular item I was looking for.  So, basically it was me and my tired but awesome for going along with it husband roaming the mall with the Black Friday shoppers.  I wish we could have had someone along taking pictures because I am sure it was funny to watch.

All of these things and more is what made our Thanksgiving this year really great.....

Kyla and Ashlyn in the cute Thanksgiving hats Grandma got for them

Our family on Thanksgiving day

Kyla checking out the just carved turkey

She is ready to begin the feast

And so is Ashlyn

And so is Troy

Time for pumpkin pie

Digging in....

Time for a nap....and dreaming about how much fun Black Friday shopping will be

Sisters in the chair at Grandma and Grandpa's that they love to spin in

Kyla working on her pinterest project with Grandma

Almost midnight and about to leave for Black Friday....if Troy looks half asleep, he was

With Heidi, in the middle of one of our projects

Having some splashing fun in Grandma's kitchen sink

Ashlyn loves playing the piano

Our finished projects....winter wreaths for our front doors

Kyla's finished pinterest project....a felt tree for her to decorate.  So fun!

Ashlyn laughing while Aunt Heidi gives her a ride

Loving it at Grandma and Grandpa's

Blessed beyond measure and so very thankful.  Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.