Playing Catch Up

Things have just been too busy! We went Christmas tree shopping on Dec. 1st. It has become a tradition to go to Christmas Knoll, a place off of Hwy 99. Grant's parents discovered it, and for several years, we have attempted to all go together. There always seems to be a conflict that keeps the entire Matthews group from going together. Last year, we were missing Ben and Cindy. This year, it was just us and Grandma, Grandpa, and Alex. Stuart and Carolyn went the same day as us, if that counts for anything. At least we try. Maybe some year we'll all be able to go at the same time.

It was a very cold day and rather breezy up on that hill, but at least we got there before it started raining. Here we are on the "train." They have a tractor that pulls a trailer behind with hay bales to sit on that drops you off by the section of trees of your choice. Eleanor loved the train. She rode on my lap until we stopped, and then she decided she wanted to sit on the hay bale all by herself. She was a bit reluctant to get off right after she had obtained her very own seat.

We found our tree and stood by it while Grant went to get the saw. Eleanor saw me pointing to it and took off her mitten so she could poke it, too.

Pictures with our tree.

Then, we and our tree were picked up for another train ride. This time, Eleanor had her very own seat next to Grandpa.

Quite content.
Then, we watched our tree get wrapped up tight.

Eleanor with Daddy and Alex, standing on the "train."

We went inside to get warm with hot chocolate and cookies. Check out that moustache!

And here's the real train: the Noel Express.