On the Second Day of Christmas. . .

The girls are early out on Wednesdays and the sun was shining bright--the perfect day to take a trip to the tree farm and find our tree. All year as we have driven past the tree farm Rob would point and say: "Our tree is in there somewhere, just waiting for Christmas for us to come get it."

It was all that talk that kept me from trying a new tree farm. We couldn't very well not go get "our tree" after talking about it all year--or so Rob argued.

And besides, it IS such a cute farm.

First things first. . .we had to visit the petting zoo area. . .

. . .and feed the animals.

Rob even terrorized Signe with a rooster that was on the loose.

Then we passed the barn and I couldn't pass up a interesting picture setting. . .

Then we were off to find our tree.

I got to pick the kind we'd bring home this year. I'm a sucker for a full Noble. . .

. . .and a big old oak tree.

There are several oak trees that dot the farm and make me wish I had one making shade in my yard.

Finally we found the one. . .

(When I asked Rob what the cheapest tree on the farm cost--to compare it to the farm I was thinking of trying his response was "Why do you care, you are going to pick the most expensive one anyway!" But look! I didn't--though that might have had something to do with the height of my ceiling.)

You can actually drive your car or truck down the lanes and throw your tree in when you find it. . .

But we love to take the tree cart with us and walk around the lanes past rows and rows of trees. . .

. . .and quaint little sign posts.

Of course, I picked a tree way in the middle--and it was HEAVY--so we had to carry it through the trees back to our cart.

I am calling it my workout for the day!

Then we were off to pay for it and pick out our wreath.

You pay in this cute barn where they offer free hot chocolate and candy canes while they shake our tree for us.

There is something about driving home with a tree in your truck bed, breathing deeply to catch the fresh pine scent, that makes you smile.

We were supposed to decorate the tree also, but I got distracted by a urge to bake. I tried a new recipe for Kolaches that were yummy, but I wish I had baked them a little less to keep them softer. Oh well--the girls will have just as much fun when we do it on the third day of Christmas.

Service Update: An unforeseen phenomenon is occurring with the idea of one of us have a '"service day" each day. When it is not their day, and I ask them to, say, put their dirty clothes in the laundry room, I get "But it's not my service day!" and when it is, say, Hannah's day, Signe says "You have to do it for me, it's YOUR service day!"

I think we need to discuss the point here. They seem to be missing it.

Movie of the night: Picking up and Dropping off