O Tannenbaum.

Because it is our first Christmas as a married couple, when we talked about our Christmas tree for this year, we decided we had to buy a real one. It just seemed most appropriate and festive. And, we didn't want a Walmart, pick-it-out-in-five-minutes tree. We wanted to do this thing the right way: an all-out Griswold, Christmas Vacation, chop down our own tree adventure we were envisioning. So, to the Christmas tree farm we went! 


One of my dad's very best friends and some good family friends of ours own Mainstay Farm in Burleson, TX. It....is the coolest!! If you have not been, you NEED to go! They are a wonderful family and it is a neat experience. We are going to make it a family tradition to go every year, for sure!

Our parents and Hailey were there with us on Saturday and we had such a great time picking out our tree. We rode around on a tractor, scouring the land for the finest and grandest tree for our lil' apartment. Our 3rd floor ceilings are very tall, so we have the room for the height but seeing as how we had very minimal ornaments (as in....a grand total of 4!), we decided that going for a smaller tree would be more economical for our wallets. Paying rent and buying groceries this month are probably more important than me buying sparkly ornaments to adorn a 15 foot tree ;) So, we decided a sweet little 7 footer suited us better. Also, many of the 'traditional' Christmas pine trees do not have great branches for hanging ornaments, which led us to our Fraser Fir aka "Fairytale" tree, below, that is just perfect for decorating (which, we all know is super important, right!!!)

After picking out our tree and a quick stop for ornaments at Walmart (budget decorating this year!!), we came back home, lit a fire, set up our tree and began transforming the apartment into a winter wonderland. Ok, so...what this really looked like was me decorating and Justin beginning his second batch of homebrew! But, we had a great time and I am finished decorating. I think! (I'm sure there are a few things I will be adding here and there!!)  

Here's a little preview of our place all jazzed for the Holidays. It's only 24 days away, so if you don't have yours up yet....do it! Before you know it, it'll be time to take them down (I get sad!!!). 

Those sparkly pinecones are cinnamon scented....YUM! $4.00 @ Walmart :)

Love it, Mom!!!!! Mean it, girl ;)

Justin is already getting tired of me asking to have a fire. I want one EVERY night - even if it is 70 degrees outside!!!! I love them :) I really must have a circulation problem, I'm thinking!!

Still need to jazz this lil' guy up :)

Thanks, Mom, for the beautiful arrangements and wreath. They are all just the perfect touches to our apartment and I am so thankful for your talent! :)