Annual Christmas Tree Craziness

Dec. 20th was scheduled as Christmas Tree Gettin' Day...

we were missing a few kiddo's, though

Joe was in Bemidji...

Stephen had a final left on the 23rd (what's up with that, Uof M?)...

Clare had to work...

 

ah well, off we go with the rest of the bunch...

 

Timmer came with his game face on...

 

and the living room was all ready for the new addition...

 

 

so we hit the road...

 

Francis was unimpressed with his mittens...

 

and plenty of snowballs were flying right out of the shoot...

 

but Miss Marianna was ready for some fun...

 

we all spread out to find our personal favorites...

 

maybe this one?

 

Stephen paused in pursuit of a tree to take on a younger brother...

(he surprised us and came home for a few days before heading back for that last final!)

 

the Cleopatra kid had to get a few snowballs in...

 

then the Big Guy in Charge called everyone back to order...

 

this tree?

 

oh, wait...how 'bout this one?

 

ok mom, get the picture over with...

 

maybe this tree?

 

there was some serious thought about this tree...

 

Marianna even got a little attached...

 

but everyone else moved on...

 

maybe eating snow will ease the pain...

 

one final takedown by Stephen...

 

some Santa wannabe's...

 

shopping the pre-cut's...

 

Therese takes a detour...

 

decision made...

 

time for cocoa and candy canes...

 

yum, even better than snow!!!

 

back to the ranch for some trimming...

 

yikes, who picked out this tree??

 

Therese got into the spirit of decorating right away...

 

taking out old favorites...

 

breathing deeply through the mess...

 

oh, we're getting there...

 

Grandpa and Grandma's extra lights in action...

 

FranMan's taking it all in...

 

Success at last!