Our First Christmas: Part Tree

This Christmas is mine and the hubs first Christmas together as a married couple. We have had about 4 together as a couple but since we had a long distance relationship for most of our time together, we never got to indulge or take part of traditions.

So this year, because we could, we decided to start our own. Because one day we will have children and we will want to have something unique for them to look forward to. It started this year with the tree. Oh, the tree.

Our first "couple" ornament.

Not long after we were happily wed we brought up the conversation of Christmas. Where we would spend the holidays and what we would get people were among the conversation, but those were dimmed by the radiance and importance of the tree. The debate began. Real or artificial? That was the question.

Mr. Russell grew up with a live tree every year. He and his family lived in the country on a lot of land. With goats. Do you have that picture in your head? They totally had a real tree every year. It just fit. Warm and cozy kind of home, warm and cozy kind of tree.

I grew up in the city. If you know where I am from you might get a chuckle from referring to my hometown as a city but when comparing it to the groom's homestead, it is a metropolitan. We always had a fake tree. It was just what we did. And I loved it. Easy set up, beautiful for 25+ days, and easy take down. What is not to love.

Case in point. We both grew up in very different households. And we both wanted to carry on our traditions.So after much debating and considering, I gave in. Write that down folks. It may never be written down again. So real tree it is in our house this year. And it may be the last.

This tinsel is my favorite part of the tree.

Yesterday N had the night off and we went to the most precious place called Merry Christmas Tree Farm. We walked down to the plethora of Leyland cypress trees, pines, and North Carolina furs. After about 30 minutes of finding the perfect tree and walking away to find another perfect tree (and repeat) we finally settled on a mighty fine one. She's a beauty. Once we decided, we had her chopped, shaken, and strapped to our car and we were on our way. Once home, we were ready to get her up and settled in.

A souveiner from our honeymoon to Disney World.

Another 30 minutes passed and she was in her stand and being decorated. We were loving our new start to traditions. Christmas music was on, Starbucks was in hand, and everything was almost perfect. Once the star was placed on top we snuggled her into her new home in the corner. We both took a seat to enjoy our masterpiece and I thought to myself, This is one of the prettiest trees I have ever seen. She is going to be the envy of all the little elves eyes.

There are even green birdies in our tree.

And squirrels. 

That thought came crashing down right when the tree did. Thats right. Our beautiful, perfect in every way tree was on its side with the star pointing straight at me instead of the ceiling where it belonged. All I could do was put my hands over my eyes and try to convince myself that it was a dream. Or a nightmare. I finally pinched myself hard enough to snap out of it and got up to help my husband stand up our toppled tree. No big deal, right? Wrong. Remember we had a real tree...that means we had previously put water into its basin. That water was everywhere now. I was mad. All I could say was, This would have never happened if we had gotten a FAKE tree.

And even peacock feathers that were left over from our wedding reception.

After some huffing and puffing on both of our parts, we got the ornaments picked up, the water sopped up, and the tree stood back up. But thats where it ended. We were tired.

And what tree is complete without a star perfectly placed on top. 

So today after school, we put the ornaments back on the tree. Our first Christmas tree. But not before we tied some rope to 3 bricks and then to the tree to hold her stubborn butt up. And then we kissed. I like that part of this new tradition. And I have to say, she is full of splendor. Would you like to see?

 She is just grand isn't she. I am in love.