A Busy Week!

After our tour of the Midwest, we were exhausted but so happy to be home. I did do a little unpacking that evening (always vow not too, but always do). But we were motivated because we were planning on getting our Christmas tree the next day (Sunday). I of course thought we would get up early and get going, but we went the slow and easy route:) 

We were excited to go back to Hilliker's Tree Farm in Tomah and by the time we left, it had started snowing. Of course, this adds to the beauty and magic of it all, right? It did! It was the frigid cold that was horrendous. I brought all I could think of for the kids to be warm. Last year, we were able to drive down and pick the tree, and one of the guys hauled it back up to the shaker thing. That is what I was assuming we would get to do again. I could always pop back in the car with Collin to warm up. 

Nope. You have to ride the wagon thing down there, so we followed and got on. As soon as we got on the road, I should have made him let me and Collin get off. It was SO cold. I couldn't force him to put his head or face on my chest. He kept wanting to look around, always in the wind. He started getting really red and I started to freak out. The wagon leaves you there! Down in these steep ravines filled with gorgeous trees. You cut your tree and wait for the next wagon. I told Dave I trusted him and said I was walking back to the hut thing. Well, then Kate freaked out and didn't want me to go. So she came with me too. Luckily, I caught a wagon - yeah! Not so luckily, a million other people wanted rides too. We stopped so many times, loaded so many people and took forever to get back. And oh yeah, Collin started to cry halfway through. It was kind of a nightmare. 

Very beautiful and I love their trees. Tall and skinny!

I started the Suburban, climbed into the way back (more room) and I nursed Collin while Kate had a snack (they don't have much of a building or hut at the farm and it was a very busy weekend day for them). After screaming for awhile, Collin fell asleep nursing. Finally, Dave returned with a tree, apparently, the one that Kate wanted before we abandoned Daddy:) We went and saw Santa (pretty good one!) Kate was shy at first, but then after getting the tree, was his best friend! We carefully drove home and started decorating! Not the easiest with a mobile Collin and 'want to help so bad' 4 year old:) But we did pretty good for a half day's work!

Well, I guess this is the year we are not too shy!

She was so excited to decorate

This guy helped from the sidelines:) 

As most of you know, it is almost physically impossible for her to look at the camera right now

It is quite cozy here now. Especially with a fire burning!

The week was quite busy with Dave's work schedule out of control and Kate having two dance performances right at supper time. I had to carefully plan out my days to make sure I had everything I needed, wouldn't be late and could literally handle it all by myself - my new best friend is a hiking backpack I got to be used as a diaper bag. That way, while all bundled up, I can hold Collin's car seat and Kate's hand when we are out and about. I was so glad that one of the days I decided to pack heavy snacks and all her clothes and we just killed time at the library before her performance (after picking her up from school). I knew we would be late if we went home:) We have so much fun at the library and I just seem to relax while I am there. 

Collin at the library, army crawling around!

It was the first time I allowed Kate to play the computer games,
she liked it for awhile, but then wanted to read books.

They do little Christmas dances and then start a new routine in January for the big recital in May. This year, Kate's song was Santa Claus is Coming to Town (she has been singing it ALL the time:) and her class got to wear winter/Xmas pajamas - perfect! This dance year is so different than last year. We went to the first performance last year and she wouldn't get changed into her outfit or line up, we ended up abandoning ship and leaving. So, we are pretty proud with how far she has come this year:) I'm so glad I recorded some video as Dave missed both performances this year because of work:(

They performed at the high school one day...

And at the "nursery" home in New Lisbon another day:)

How cute are these little gals?!