Christmas - part 2 - the tree

Sad story really. Jeff and I are both allergic to everything nature. To say we're just allergic is an understatement - it really is amazing that either of us can function as well as we do without living in a bubble free of outdoors. Anyway, last year, Jeff was sick for about 3 weeks at Christmas time. I thought it was because he was on "vacation" from work and that's just what happens. We go on vacation, Jeff would get sick - happens every time! I use the word "vacation" because he was still working for Deloitte and well really, there's no such thing as "vacation" from work. It just meant, we'll call you at home, email and text you no matter the time or day - you're just lucky enough to be at home and not at the clients or the office.....I digress. Back to the tree: so Jeff was sick, Christmas came, the tree started to die, Jeff takes it outside. Comes back in "My arms are itchy and red". "I bet you're allergic to the tree......" wheels start turning, can you smell the smoke burning!!!. The next day, he's totally fine. IT WAS THE TREE. So out goes the idea of having a real tree every year for Christmas, now we get to buy a fake tree.....I just couldn't do it and I didn't want to. I love the smell of real trees, but the cleanup and fire hazard are a mess.

So this year, we weren't getting a real tree, and we were going to wait until after Christmas to buy a fake tree. It just didn't feel like Christmas, we hadn't put our lights up outside - I finally did that on Dec 19th. Jeff came home from somewhere - re-hung the lights, then went out in search for more icicle lights - we needed one more strand - no more in all the stores around!!! Up he went again to rehang the last strand to stretch the front of the house - looked very nice....still no tree at this point and it's the Saturday before Christmas. Monday Jeff was home and we went shopping for more Christmas stuff......looking only for a small tree to get by this year. Pictures tell a great story.

Tree #1

 

Trees #1 and 2 - Abbey wouldn't touch them and we tried to convince the kids they had to stay there to hold the trees.....no such luck and they were outside trees to stake in the ground.....bummer. Put them outside, Jeff returned to Target to purchase our 7.5 ft tree - already on clearance for 50% off! We'll take it!

So much better and nicely decorated - love the pre-lit trees. We'll see what happens if they ever fail....

Lucas' turn to put the star on the tree. Lea decided since she put the star up last year, that this year was Lucas' turn, next year - Abbey. awwww..... :)

Terrified! Jeff trying to calm Lucas' down

Not so bad now

Lea and daddy

Everybody wants a turn