Christmas Tree Hunting

For the past 7 years we have gone to a particular farm to get our Christmas tree. We love it there... it's nearby, they have great trees... it's perfect. Sadly last year was there last selling Christmas trees. Thankfully they will still have pumpkins in the fall, but from now on we need to find a new place to get our tree. There are several places that are in our neck of the woods, so we got up this morning hoping to get lucky and find a new "perfect" spot to get our tree.

These two... goofy and fantastic! 

Our first stop only had pre-cut trees.. and they were not cheap, so we went along to the next farm. It looked like a winner, even if it was on a steep hill. 

Getting booted up...so thankful for the truck for outings like this!

The kids had the best time tromping around the farm, but sadly we didn't find anything we loved or wanted to spend money on. So we loaded up and went on our way...

We drove around for a while and finally ended up at Hagg's, the tree farm we used to go to before switching. We liked their trees, but they are WAY out in the toolies. 

Hagg's was really short on douglas fir trees this year, and for the first time we ended up buying a pre-cut tree. It was cut yesterday, so it's probably just fine, but not quite the same. The kids were getting hungry and tired of driving around (as were Doug and I) and thankfully they had a pretty one that we claimed as ours!

Grateful for good family photo! 

Per our tradition, we ended up at Five Guys for lunch. It was good to be done tree hunting for sure!

We spent the afternoon decorating and getting excited about the season.

My favorite little elves.... 

Silly kids!

The Little People nativity is still a hit... 10 years strong! 

Naomi got into the Christmas spirit, too. Obviously..haha!

Bringing the tree in is always a nail biter hoping it won't be too big for the space. We've had some "Clark Griswold" moments in the past! Thankfully it fit just fine. 

Our pretty tree!!

So excited it's Christmastime!!

Thanksgiving 2017

Happy Thanksgiving!

We just returned from a super fun overnighter at the beach with my sister, her family, and her husband's family. It had been WAY too long since I have seen Michelle, Eric and the kids... it so great to get to spend time with them. The Johnson clan is a hoot and we always enjoy our time with them!

We drove up yesterday early afternoon, grabbed a hotel near the Johnson's beach rental, and drove home early this evening. A whirlwind 24 hours or so.... but so worth it!

Sisters reunited!! Shell and I took Stella for a walk to the beach when we arrived. 

Stella!! Such a sweet pup!

Cloudy and drizzly, but still my happy place! 

We hung out, caught up, watched TV, colored and played games throughout the  afternoon and evening. Steve and Linda (Eric's parents) love the kids and had special things for them to do also. 

A rare  photo with my nephew!

Matthew had SO much fun playing with Stella!

How awesome it is that one of the Johnson family traditions is to watch Doug's favorite movie on Thanksgiving?? So great!

He loves her... for reals!

Loved getting to hang with my niece Abby!!

It was a "seafood: themed weekend for the Johnson's. The fresh clams were amazing!! Evelyn even tried them and like them!

We headed back to the hotel after dinner so the kids could swim... something they had been looking forward to. Abby joined them, too!

The kids LOVE LOVE LOVE their cousin, and they had so much fun with her in the pool!

So, Lincoln City has a tradition of hiding beautiful glass orbs made by local glassmakers on the beach during different times of the year. This weekend was one of their biggest for that. All of us wanted to go search, but that meant getting up early this morning. No one complained! :)

A big elk walking on the road to the beach. We saw so many deer on this trip!

Dark and rainy.. but smiling!

Here comes the sun.....sort of!

My three favorites...

Baby, it's cold and windy and rainy outside!

The wind almost knocked him off this stump!

We didn't find any orbs, but we had fun looking!!

After getting cleaned up and checked out of our hotel, we headed back over the the Johnson's place for the rest of the day.

The rain stopped and the sun appeared after we ate, so we headed back down to the beach.

Steve and Linda, Eric's parents. They are the best hosts!

Like I said, deer were plentiful!

The desserts were amazing!!

This is where Stella planted herself when it was time for us to leave. We will miss that face!

We headed home late afternoon with full tummies and happy hearts. Thankful for time with my sister and for a fun little trip for the family. 

Always give thanks.......