We have been talking about cutting down our own Christmas tree for years, but it has never worked out... until this year. It was really fun for the kids and took much less time than I thought. It was just someone's house and instead of grass in their front yard they have rows and rows of Christmas trees of various sizes and shapes... ok. They give you a saw and will even pick up the tree with a 4 wheeler right at the spot where you cut it, wrap it and tie it to your car for you... it was far from a National Lampoon's Christmas experience, but perfect for having 4 small kids;) I omitted the picture where Ben only had one boot on... in his wanderings one boot fell off and it took a minute to find it, but during that time Gabe and I were secretly glad because it was slowing him down preventing him from running in and out of the rows like a crazy man trying to hide as we searched for a tree and trying not to lose him. Once we did find the tree, the boys were very entertained and watchful "helpers" as Gabe cut down the tree (this picture is one of my favorites and speaks volumes to our life at this stage;)).
We put the tree up in our front room largely because we wanted to be able to close the door if anyone started to act too crazy or went into a fit of rage around the tree. The downside is that it isn't really a centerpiece in our daily lives, but for the next few years the front room is a perfect spot. Next the ornaments... I opted for none and only lights, but I was over ruled, so the compromise was only nonbreakable ornaments... we had to amend this rule to no ornaments within Ben's reach because there is an important distinction between nonbreakable and "Ben proof"... I am pretty sure there are no Ben proof ornaments... maybe one day he won't be a bull in a china shop.
The last tree saga this year was the train. Nannie and Grandpa thought that the kids should have a train around the tree. Since we don't put presents under the tree before Christmas Eve (again because of the Ben factor- in Ben's defense just a few years ago we were saying the same things about James who has gown out of this, so it is all in good fun;)) we agreed. The first train was a huge disappointment as it only played music and didn't go anywhere (thank you Christmas Tree Shop)... apparently Trey's didn't even play music, so it could have been worse. In their grandparental guilt, Nannie and Grandpa drove down for a literal 30 minute visit (yes, that's right a 3 hour drive each way with a 30 minute stop) to deliver and set up a working train set. The kids were obviously beyond excited to have the train and *so far* the fighting has been to a minimum... we'll see how long that lasts;)
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