Celebrating the Beginning of Christmas

Our tradition the last three or four years has been to go to the Murphy's shortly after Thanksgiving and eat together then chop down our Christmas Tree. This year was especially exciting as we have snow!

Carolyn is an amazing cook and out did herself today. She made brunch with so many tasty delights, the most amazing to me was this special braided fruit bread you can see in pic bottom left. With the advent candles in the center of the table and snow shining brilliant white outside you could definitely feel the beginning buzz of Christmas in the air.

First order of business is of course to sled.

You never know what a two year old will do. Whether be afraid, stand back and watch or jump into the  mess with the other two. He jumped right in.

 This is the last cedar Christmas tree on the Murphy farm that is big enough to cut. Looks like we will come up with another plan.

Hiking to our tree.

Passing the sheep

Discussing the plan of action.

and the boy becomes a man...

 well not quite a man, but he is so excited to chop down our tree this year!

The heard is watching.

 Corbin does a great job! I am so proud of him.

 and down she goes...

Here we are with our pretty tree.

 and of course we need to sled some more. This year being pregnant and also at a barn with sheep, I wanted to tell the kids the Christmas story in the barn where they can really see what it would have been like for Mary and Jesus. It was such a special time as you can see them understand just a little bit more and it show in their eyes.

I love this picture. It shows life in its truest form. Addie fell on her face in the sled trying to get in her sled for the picture. Poor girl she is so clumsy. Perhaps dance class is helping with this.

Inside we warm up with hot chocolate. Kids watch a movie and adults play a game.

Everyone has had too much fun to handle any longer. We always have a good time with the Murphy's

Perhaps the days of Corbin falling asleep on the way home is over. He collected a little tree souvenir.

Christmas is coming .... the goose is getting fat.... right now I'm the goose :)