O' Christmas Tree

This year we got to cut our first tree off our own farm!  The boys were all pretty excited to head out one night to find the perfect tree.  Yes, it was after dark, but it was only a week until Christmas so you do what you have to do :)

 

 All bundled up and ready to go

waiting on the 4 wheeler

Kale found the "perfect" tree right off the bat, but we kept looking until we all agreed on one...

 and finally found one

the boys watching Jason cut the tree down...they brought their own saws along in case they needed to help him

all cut down and headed back to the house

Jason told the boys there might be a squirrel in the tree so they anxiously waited for one to appear (with their guns....just in case)

looking for the squirrels

thank goodness there wasn't one!

the finished tree

and yes, it is in a different location than we originally set it up. 

 

Fun in December

Lane with our "book tree".  The boys got to open one Christmas/winter book a day in December leading up to Christmas Day.

 

packing cookies up to be delivered to some special people the next day

 

the boys eating breakfast...Kale wanted Lane to sit on his lap, but agreed to me putting their chairs next to each other instead

Lane sitting on "Santa's" lap telling him what he wanted for Christmas :)

Decorating Eckler Tree

We all made it to mom & dad's house again this year to help decorate the tree. After dad gets the lights all put on the kids' excitement over helping only lasts a little while and the big kids, aka mom & the girls, end up doing most of the decorating :)  It is still fun and everyone has a good time (I think)!

Grandpa Harold & Laner ready to go

waiting for the lights to be done...

helping hold the lights?!?

checking out the ladder....I'm pretty sure I have a similar picture with Kale & Cooper from last year or maybe the year before

helping hang ornaments

the tinsel queens :) & Laner

good thing Stephy helps!

and what would the day be without a rodeo?!?

 

I'm not sure, but I think the cowboys beat the bull...

Callao Lights

 The boys, especially Kale, were very excited about all the Christmas lights this year.  One night we drove to Quincy and went through the Avenue of Lights and one Friday night we went with the rest of the Pollard gang to see the lights in Callao where you get to walk through everything.  They loved it!

Kale turning the ferris wheel

Uncle Justin helping Lane

all the little kiddos checking out some elves

a picture with Mickey & Minnie and a random puppy that the boys were pretty excited about

"riding" in the sleigh

of course we rode the horse :)

Kale & Rhett had a really good time "driving" the sleigh

they must have had a rough ride :)



Making Cookies

One of our many times to bake cookies during Christmas time...

the boys cheesing with their new aprons ...pockets filled with sprinkles too

the hard work...

Brotherly love :)

and the best part

aren't they talented?!? :)