Tree Trimmin

By the time we found our tree we were driving down the road, tired of seeing trees and Sam spotted this one.  It looked good on the mountain, and it is a good tree... in spots.

 

 

Sam supervised from above for as long as she could, when she decided her tree needed all the help it could get. 

 

 

It was hard to fill in the bare spots because the needles are so bushy and long.

 

 

And this is our finished tree. A tree with plenty of bare spots, lopsidedness and patches of bushiness.  But, it is a memorable tree :)

 

Tree For All and Tree For Us

Mik and Jill help kick off our Christmas season by dancing at the annual tree for all.  This is the first year they didn't want to sit on Santa's lap afterwards.

 

 

Both girls did great then we were off for our annual Christmas tree hunt.  So far the snow has been plentiful so we didn't make it up to our usual spot for hunting trees.  But, that didn't stop us from trying.  We headed out with intentions of helping Kay...

 

... but before long he was on his own.

 

Jill and Mik had other intentions.

 

Sam was helpful by staying behind to keep an eye on the truck.  She wouldn't have made it very far in her slippers.

 

 Kay made it back to the truck empty handed so we were off to a different spot.  Mik and Jill opted to be pulled behind the truck on the sled.

 



 

 

While driving down the road Sam spotted a tree and said "hey that poof ball will work".  So, we went back and cut down her "poof ball".  It's a tree, and it will do.

 

Even though we didn't get our "traditional" tree it's ok.   Our mountain looks great covered in white.

SNOW!!

With all the fall posts I figured it was time to put some snow on our blog.  Autumn is no longer here, and with Christmas just around the corner it was time for Christmas card pictures.  We went as far as we dared to go on the mountain and picked a spot.  These are some of what we got.

Let the holiday festivities begin!!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2013 was a smaller than normal gathering with 19 people, delicious turkey, and even better deserts.

With lots to be thankful for, my family is at the top of my list.

Even when they threaten my pies, life would be very dull without the quirky, crazy people that they are.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Grandma's Leaves

Who doesn't love fall leaves!  Every year the cousins get together and rake grandma's leaves.  

Some like to rake, some like to supervise from the bench, and Jill likes to swing from the clothes line.

But, once the work is done they all have fun in them.

Halloween Dance Royal's Style

For some reason the Halloween dance performed by the Royals is one of my favorites to watch.  I don't know why, it's just fun.  

Don't they look attractive :)

And this is what little sisters do while they wait to watch their big sisters performance.

More Fall Happenings

What I love most about harvesting pumpkins:  Pumpkins = Fall and I love fall.  We see the rewards of our labors from all summer long.  There's just something about a pumpkin.  The kids love to get involved... or they used too.  The older they get the less they like it.  I love how Jill enlisted her friend to help and she headed back to the house lol.  I have a pinkie swear from Miki however, that she will always be my pumpkin harvesting buddy.

Not only my harvesting buddy, but she loves washing off all the mini's for me.

And where ever Miki goes outside, Max will be there with her.

Pumpkin harvesting season has now expanded to include honey harvesting.  

He looks so official!!

This years honey wasn't plentiful.  Kay decided to leave it all to the bees so that they would survive the winter.  They'd better be double busy this next year.  I love fresh honey.

Painting is another fun pass time any time of the year.  I promise I buy this girl paper.

Miki has always wanted a younger sibling, so when her cousin came along she was so excited.  Whenever my sister needs a babysitter she brings him to Miki.  On this particular "babysitting" day she helped him make a car.  I'm not sure who had more fun.  It's such a treat for Miki!