Our Frst Real Tree

After 11 years of marriage we finally cut down a real Christmas tree for our home this holiday season. We've always been away from home for the two weeks of Christmas, so we've never felt a need to put up a real tree. This year we are going up to Olympia for Christmas Eve and Christmas but then we'll be home the 26th to celebrate Christmas with Trevor's family. They are driving up from California for Amelia's baby blessing. We wanted the house to feel like Christmas for our family. We've loved having a beautiful tree up in our home for the past few weeks.

All three kids fell asleep on the five minute drive to the farm. We were the only ones at the farm so Trevor and I scouted out a tree while everyone slept. By the time we picked it out and cut it down the kids woke up. They got to see the tree go through the twine and be loaded onto the van. Since this was our first time we might have gotten a little carried away with pictures.

Trevor would have liked a taller tree, but I didn't want to overdue it for our first time

Trevor made the comment that we should move to a place with some land. I laughed at the thought of my California city boy turn farmer.

We have a vehicle we can strap a tree to:)

Amelia in the warm car

We got the tree home without any problems

TJ's Birthday

For TJ's birthday we went to Chuck-e-Cheese's when it opened Monday morning. That way we could miss the crowds and be there right after it had been cleaned. There were only a few other kids around so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Dad got 100 ticket Jackpot with his first and last tokens. The boys had a blast and Amelia slept soundly in her stroller the entire time. Later that night we enjoyed cake, ice cream and presents.

The easy way to decorate a cake:)

The morning at Chuck-E-Cheese

Dad had lots of fun:)

Baby Amelia slept the entire time

Thanksgiving Highlights

We spent Thanksgiving up in Olympia with the entire family. There were 18 of us 6 of which were under the age of 4.

Aunt Chelsea gave Amelia an adorable headband

Jena with both new babies

All the Russell Grandchildren (look at Russell)

Cousin Drake and Amelia eight weeks a part

Our first family dance party. All the Russell children remember when Dad would come home from work and crank up his stereo so we could all dance in the living room.

The cousins all posing for a Christmas Pajamas picture. It was quite the circus.