sleighbells

In Arizona, when it's time to put up the Christmas Tree, you have two options.

1. Purchase a half dead tree from a grocery store parking lot.
   
2. Pull the big fake pre-lit tree out of the box in the garage and spend 10 hours assembling it because half the lights stopped working.
   

In Oregon, you can drive five minutes from home ~ fill your belly up with hot chocolate, pick up a saw and measuring pole, and tromp all over the mountain till you find the perfect tree and cut one down. That is what we did today with our friends at Sleighbells Tree Farm, (only five minutes from Craig and Jenny's house).

Sleighbells is gorgeous, we felt like we were in a movie...

This gentleman played Christmas tunes on an old organ that were broadcast all over the farm. The kids made requests, he played their songs and they danced with joy!

First stop at the farm was the Sleighbell House ~ Inside we enjoyed; hot chocolate, wine tasting, red and green kettle corn,

thousands of ornaments, and best of all SANTA Clause!!!

 They couldn't believe their eyes! They both sat on his lap for at least five minutes and gave him their lists: Gracie's top request ~ an American Girl Hair Doll. Nate's top request ~ a Quad. Santa was great, he took the time to comment on how much the kids have grown and even thanked them for the cookies and milk they left out last Christmas Eve.

Finally it was time to find the perfect tree.

Everyone had a job, Emma held the tree measuring pole and Jake very carefully carried the tree saw, Gracie led the pack and Nate trailed behind.

On the way up the hill Nate found a gigantic mushroom and his very own little tree.

We stopped and made an attempt once again to get the perfect group shot of the four kids...

we tried... (the boys had toy wooden guns to help them hunt for the perfect tree)

and tried again...

oh well.

Finally we found the perfect tree. The kids all took turns helping Andy cut it down. Emma and I helped carry the beauty down the hill.

we were spoiled...