Christmas tree hunt

Last year we started a new tradition of two Christmas trees -- a real one in the foyer for Caitlyn (and by next year, Nathan) to decorate and an artificial one in the family room for Santa to find. It's the best of both worlds: We put up the artificial one early (think: Thanksgiving weekend) to appease Caitlyn and Gene, and we still get the experience of chopping down a tree.

Today we went to a local tree farm with Grandma and Pop. Caitlyn did an excellent job of surveying the property for "perfect" trees, stumps of cut trees, spiders and groundhog holes. Here she is with her tree/stump/spider/hole-hunting game face on:

Nathan is on day five of some energy-sucking, fever-causing virus, hence his worse-for-the-wear look. He had a poker face through everything, even the "timber!" part ... until he heard a train whistle in the distance.

As soon as we got home, Caitlyn decorated the heck out of her tree.

Here's the final product, with the majority of its ornaments at a three-year-old eye level. It's perfect!