Last year, we started the tradition of getting our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. It was such a nice way to kick off the Christmas season, while also getting to enjoy our lovely tree for as much time as possible. We (Dallin) had intended to chop down our own tree, but when we arrived at the Christmas tree farm, we learned that they don't let you chop down a tree after dark--which, of course, makes complete sense. Still, we had such a fun night with a group of our friends, choosing a tree, roasting marshmallows, drinking hot chocolate, and even watching a fireworks show! This year, we were set on an equally fun experience, but we did our research so that we were sure to have the tree cutting adventure we were looking for.
So on Friday morning we set off, with our Grammie Eccles along for the ride, to a Christmas tree farm just north of the city. We met our friends, the Lloyds, there as well. The experience did not disappoint! We arrived first and got to check things out. What greeted us? Reindeer! Harper and Hunter were so excited since Rudolph is definitely a Christmas favorite. They had these need little chutes, where the kids could put food pellets down to feed the reindeer, which was pretty much the ideal scenario for our animal-averse kiddos. There were other fun animals on the farm as well, including llamas, alpacas, pheasants, goats, cows, and even some free range chickens (okay, so the Hs didn't love the free range aspect).
After visiting with the animals, we headed over to the Christmas tree field--making a quick pit stop after getting our saw to sit down and roast some marshmallows around the fire pit. I mean, we just can't say no to a fire-roasted marshmallow. Or a few. It was such a sweet little family operation too, providing all the tools and treats needed for this special Christmas outing.
Once we were up on the hill, we walked through rows and rows of trees: little trees, big trees, REALLY big trees, and everything in between. It was hard to choose one! But we finally found a perfect, bushy green tree that we could envision in our little living room. That's when the real work began--well, for Dallin. Harper and Hunter "helped" for a moment, but then we had let the pro do his job. While he and our friend Jake sawed our families' respective trees, Holli and I roamed around with the kids. It was a beautiful, warm day so it was perfect for enjoying time outside on this picturesque hillside, surrounded by Christmas trees waiting to be claimed.
Our tree suddenly looked a LOT bigger once it was cut. Thankfully, Grammie Eccles was there to help us haul the tree back to our car. Once our tree was netted and tied down, we returned our saw and returned to the farm stand for a quick lunch before we headed home. What a fun trip!
Later that evening, Dallin brought the tree into the house, where it seemed to quadruple in size. It had looked SO much smaller in the field! But even though it takes up a quarter of our living room, it is full and festive and absolutely magical. Between the Christmas tree, and the winter terrariums we set up for Harper's winter wonderland birthday, the whole living room glows. Even though December is only just beginning, our house and hearts are already merry and bright.
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