Christmas Tree 2011

I didn't realize it had been 2 weeks since my last post - sorry!  Here's one about our lovely Christmas Tree.
We are known for having big Christmas trees.  Actually, big is an understatement - they are HUGE!  We always get the biggest tree that we can.  Usually they are 11 feet tall but this year we put the tree in a slightly different spot, so it's only 10 feet tall.  But it's very wide!  I always remember the year that we got a shorter, but wider tree for Christmas when we lived with Noel's Grandma.  We set it all up while she was napping and when she came into the kitchen she looked at the tree and said "you can't even see the back door!".  It was true.  The tree stuck out into the room so much that you couldn't see from the kitchen, through the Family room to the back door.  So when people came to visit we couldn't see who was there until they made their way around the giant tree!  But, I digress...
Since we've moved to Collingwood we've been cutting down our own trees.  We always go to the same place and it's lots of fun - you get on a wagon and they take your down to where the trees are.  There's a bonfire going and hot apple cider waiting for you when you get back.  Of course many of the staff people also work at my school, because that's always the way it is in Collingwood!

What's more festive than Batman?!  ; )

We got our tree on Dec. 3.  We bundled up Avery and headed out (it's only a 10 minute drive away).  Avery liked the wagon ride, but Shelby hated it as usual!  The floor is an open grate and I think it makes her nervous.  We got off the wagon, they handed us a saw, and we headed out (tape measure in hand) to find the perfect tree.  It didn't take us too long since we aren't really that picky and we always have a side that no one can see so if there's a less-than-perfect side it can be concealed.  Noel is the official tree-cutter.  Shelby supervises and runs around like a crazy dog playing in the snow.  I hold Avery and hope the tree doesn't fall on Shelby once it is cut.
Once we get the tree back to the car Noel starts the process of strapping the tree onto our roof.  I think he enjoys that part best - he really likes having an excuse to strap anything to the roof!  We got the tree home okay (although the car was filthy) and then had to drag it up the stairs!  That's the really hard part. And then comes the decorating!  A tree like that takes a lot of lights.  My dad asked how many there are, and I'm not quite sure but I would guess at least a thousand little lights.  We look like a little parade when we string them on the tree: Noel first, placing the light strings carefully; then me, holding the slack; then Shelby, who just likes to follow us.  Around and around we went like that until we were finished!

The champagne cork from the night Noel proposed to me (on Christmas)

 
 As usual, I think it looks lovely.  Avery is not very interested in the tree.  I've held him up to it and he feels the needles and the garland, and pulls a non-breakable ornament off the tree, but other than that he doesn't really care about it too much.  Neither does Shelby.  It's actually okay that Shelby and Avery aren't interested in the tree because it makes our lives easier!  Next year will be a whole different story!
So, these are the pictures of our tree.  You are welcome to come visit it in person, if you wish.  It will be up until at least January 2, 2012!