Christmas Tree!!

Today we did our traditional hike down to the riverbank and found our Christmas tree. AS usual, this involved a skeptical descent and even more hair raising climb back up. Why? Because we do that's why. I forgot to take a picture of our climb down and our climb back up but at least it wasn't as bad as last year. Amelie got distracted and walked too slowly so she and I made our way back to the climb up point after a walk down one length of the riverbank, while Corey went down the other and found our tree! She got tired. Booo. And whiny. Double boo. And wanted to be carried. Argh. I already had my arms full of a 7 month old baby, who toughed it out quite well. She did get through it though! I was very proud that she muscled through the trees, even though she was crying. When we finally made it back to the truck, she stopped crying and said, "The truck! Yay!" Needless to say, this is the last year we hike the riverbank. Next year, somewhere else, but definitely a real tree. Once we got it in the house Amelie exclaimed, "It's CHRISTMAS!!!" awwwww. I love her. William went for a nap, but I'm sure he was excited too.

Going to get the tree!!

Still happy to be tree hunting!

The view from the riverbank and Amelie picking up a "flower"

Hmmmm .....

Amelie thought that branch was our tree ...

The Tree!! We realized we had no working lights, garland or enough balls/decorations so ... this is the tree with a bout 5 balls, 2 candy canes, 3 silver deer and a teeny stocking.

Christmas Shopping

So. I started Christmas shopping a little while ago. Coincided with hunting season. Weird eh? I don't know why, but the Christmas spirit seems to be a little higher in me this year. Maybe because I'm avoiding the money crunch, last minute panic attack that almost always happens when I only start shopping in December. Totally hope to avoid and am currently avoiding. I am about 30% done, and have just a few people that need little extras, then I will jump to about 40 or 50 % done (I have a spreadsheet, yes I do) WE also (lamely) missed some birthdays so I've had to budget that into my shopping as well.

I've already pulled out the Christmas decorations and Corey has promised to put up some lights when he gets back from Leader (mule deer hunting). It's been hard explaining to Amelie that we don't get a tree until December because it won't last that long and we don't want to get a fake one! I really like a real one and Corey likes the tradition. She IS excited for the lights to go up though. :)

In other news, we had our family pictures taken the other day. SO excited to see them and I'm sure you are all too!! :)