It's the most busiest time of the year...

It's almost been a week since I've updated you on all of our holiday happenings but the truth is, their isn't that much that is really happening. I feel like we are constantly running but not getting anywhere. The tree still stands in the middle of the living room with not one ornament on it's branches. Evelyn's stocking, while hung by the fire, is still nameless and still has the tags hanging on it. I've only done about half of my Christmas shopping. Christmas cards are not done. And there are only 2 weeks left until Christmas.

Last weekend we bundled up and headed out to the tree farm to pick out our Christmas tree. The tree farm is about 3 minutes from where we live and is where occasionally my dad and I would go to find a Christmas tree.

Interestingly enough, it wasn't for the memories that my dad would take me to the tree farm, but rather because it was usually a week before Christmas by the time we would make our way out to find a tree and most of the tree lots were closed.

So we had no other choice than to chop our own amongst the slim pickings of leftovers. Regardless of the circumstances, tree shopping with my dad, while my brother stayed home and my mom sat in the car irritated that we brought her out in the cold against her will, are some of my fondest and most cherished memories.

By the time we made our way over the tree farm there was already about 2 inches of snow on the ground and it was still coming down. It was starting to get dark and we were the only ones making our way into the rows upon rows of frosted white pines.

It was surreal.

An hour or so of hide and seek amongst the pine smell and 30 frozen fingers and toes later, we found our tree.

The tree that will eventually adorn 1st Christmas ornaments and multicolored lights. The tree that we will sit around drinking hot chocolate and wrapping presents. The tree that on Christmas morning, Evelyn will open her very first present from Santa Claus.

The most perfect tree. Much taller and fuller than Matt had allowed of course.

Evelyn and I watched as he sawed our perfect tree down, complaining the whole time that it was a lot harder than it looked.

As we made our way to the car he asked why we couldn't have just picked one of the trees in their pre-cut lot. My reply... Memories of course.

Well the tree went up that night, and today Matt will rig the lights and we'll decorate. The first ornament I plan to put up?


(A wonderful surprise in the mail from our good friends Laura and Jake in Indiana.)

During this busiest time of the year we not only spend time making memories with family and friends, but in the case of last night, with co-workers as well. My husband's sales team went out for a Christmas dinner at the local Japanese steakhouse.

Good entertainment, a lot of great food...

a little Saki...

and a fully mesmerized baby...

The clanging of knives and flaming onion volcano's kept her occupied while we enjoyed a long overdue night out.

I wanted to say thank you for all the nice comments and emails I have received.  I really appreciate them.  Thanks to all those who've submitted blog name ideas!  There is still time to submit entries for a chance to win a  thirty-one bag. 

I will not be including a Christmas gift idea on this post as I have a few new Etsy friends I will be introducing you to starting this weekend.  They are very talented women and I can't wait for you to see their items!

For now, I'm going to take advantage of the down time and make this lovely bare tree even lovelier. Happy weekend!