Oh, Christmas Tree

Let me start by saying this might be the first time in McCormick history that we have actually had our decorations and tree up before December 15th.  It's a Christmas miracle!  Actually, it's because we will be out of town on Christmas so we figured if we're going to do this, let's do it now because it's all coming down by the 23rd of December...

Every Christmas we buy a small 1-2 foot sad looking, no one will take me home "Charlie Brown" type tree that is small enough to sit on a table. Some years the ornaments looked bigger than the actual tree.  One year, we felt compelled to buy something because it was Christmas after all (translation: holiday peer pressure)  It's not that we're Grinchy folk, we're just not into all the extra "stuff" we need in our tiny house.  We also don't buy a ton of gifts for everyone so we don't feel compelled to get into the "holiday spirit" by spending Black Friday standing in line at department stores (now that's something to be thankful for!).  Aren't the holidays supposed to be about family, food and reflecting on the joys in your life? Not how many toys or trinkets you rake in?  Okay, I'll step off the soap box and continue with my original post...

This year we've decided to mix it up and get a real tree!   However, we have Brock, our mass of destruction of a toddler, and that can create a litany of concerns.  There was NO WAY we would be able to have a decorated tree in our house because he would destroy it - in seconds.  Not to mention we are challenged with space in our tiny abode.  So we found a wonderful compromise.  A tree outside our living room window that sits on our front porch.  That way we could enjoy the beauty of a 6-foot tree without cramming it into our home.  And, it's safe from destructive inquisitive toddler hands.

So off we went to buy our big tree.  Brock is still too young to fully understand the concept of Christmas, Santa, etc.  And he definitely didn't understand why we needed to buy a tree.  And somehow he thought that bringing a tree home meant he would meet Santa.  Huh?  How does all of that connect?

Anywhooo....

After setting up the tree and putting lights on it, Brock was pretty excited.  Cade slept through most of the events of the day (hence no photos of the little guy).   I'm pretty sure Cade could care less about the tree so this year it's "All About Brock" (wait, isn't that every year?).  Eh, whatever...

Merriest of Merry Christmases to you all.