Trim the Wild Tree

Every year at Thanksgiving, our family goes up into the Idaho mountains to wrangle a wild Christmas Tree.  This was Jacee's first year to go and I must say they brought home a beauty!  We tie it to the top of our van and then we decorate the Monday after Thanksgiving.  Props to my husband who did a great job on lights - it looks, in a word, magical.

 This year, John and I just let the kids put the ornaments on wherever they wanted.  My plan it to eventually get to it and balance it out.  We'll see if that happens or not.  

 This picture just seems so full of innocence to me.  My little Maddie having a quiet moment because this is the first year she gets to help put on the glass ornaments.  Before she was too young because she would break them.  She couldn't believe she is one of the big kids now.  It was a special moment for her to put on her first glass ornament.

 John was in charge of ornament dispersal.  

 Jacee had the honor of putting on our last ornament this year.  Quite a few years ago my friend Quinnette (thanks Q!) gave us a nail with a small red ribbon tied around it.  It symbolizes the Savior and His sacrifice for us.  It is always given a place of honor on the tree and the kids always want to be the lucky one to put it on.  Maddie is so darling, she calls it "the nail of Jesus Christ". It is her turn next year and she can hardly wait.

This was totally an impromptu moment.  I LOVE IT!  Check out that expression.  It is probably because of the season, or that I am just a cry baby naturally, but I just seem to be overcome with emotion when I look at this picture.  I am pretty lucky to have these three precious children.  They complete my wonderful life with my wonderful husband.  I am blessed.

Let the holidays begin!