We got our tree! I have to admit, up until it we dragged it into the house and set it up I had been kinda dreading the holidays. That’s unusual for me since I’ve always loved Christmas time. It’s just that we had such a wonderful time at Grizz’s family’s last year, I had wanted to make it a tradition that we go back for the holidays every year. Well for several reasons, we couldn’t make it happen this year.

Once our tree was up though I felt completely different. Something about the smell of a fresh cut tree and the way it instantly changes the mood of our home snapped me right into the Christmas spirit. I started the carols and Grizz built a fire. Yes, now I remember why I love December!

We got our tree in typical city-fashion, at a tree lot that was a 2 minute drive from our house next to a liquor store and a police raid in progress behind the block. Gotta love city life.

I would have much preferred to drive to a tree farm, select our tree and have it cut down especially for us. Yeah, my kids were not going to deal with the trek there and back well. So city-prices it was

They had fun hunting our tree down in the small lot though. It was fun to see my youngest wander around, taking everything in for the first time.

Rex is a seasoned tree hunter. Jack-Jack however was a little overwhelmed and stayed close to her big brother

We found our tree pretty quick

It was a long line that moved fast to have our tree trunk cut so that was nice

Which by the way, my kids were just mesmerized by the chainsaw. Go figure.

We were out of there in under 20 minutes. I was impressed

I love that Rex can help (somewhat) with carrying the tree. He loves the responsibility of helping dad with the heavy lifting and maneuvering!

The boys load up and we are on our way. I think this is the most efficient tree-shopping we’ve ever done.

After dinner came the fun part. Lighting it! I’ve always loved a tree with just the lights before the ornaments go on. There is something so completely pure about a lit unadorned tree.  Maybe it’s just me.

I wanted to try out some low light shooting I’d read in the ebook I bought last week so I set the camera on the tripod and let Rex man the remote while Grizz and I worked the lights. The kid LOVES the remote.

As you can tell, the Christmas lights being strung made for some really pretty painted lighting on a low shutter speed and ISO. I closed my aperture down to about f11 to create some twinkling on the still lights on the tree.

After the first quarter of the tree was done, we had to stop to put Jack-Jack to bed. Plus we were not getting much done with her wanting to “help”. I did a quick check on the shots already taken and decided to adjust the lighting in the room for the next set. I turned the lamp in the right corner off.

Much better yeah?

Grizz decided to have a little fun with it since he was pretty much holding the lights and feeding them to me the whole time

His attempt at giving himself a halo here… At least he’s keeping with the Christmas theme.

Here’s a painted Christmas tree. Pretty.

I believe he’s trying to give my butt a halo in this shot. Nice. There’s a little boy in even the oldest of men I swear.

We finish up and take our obligatory shot in front of the tree. Our family minus one. I’ll have to photoshop her in later

Rex absolutely loves our lit tree. He is 5 and is at the golden age where he is old enough to help, understand and appreciate the traditions. Yet he is still young enough to believe in the magic of it all. He hugged us huge after we lit our finished tree and told us how happy he was that our tree is so beautiful.

{melt}

We let him put the tree elf in before he went to bed. More decorating the next day

I’m really enjoying the holiday season now!