The Annual Cutting of the Tree

Josh had the weekend off after Thanksgiving and since he likely won't have another entire weekend off until Christmas, we decided we'd better venture out to get a tree.  Cause Lord knows I had no intention of cutting down a tree on my own with two kids.

This year we traveled to Sutton, MA (about a 30 min drive) to try out Sleighbell Christmas Tree Farm.  I had researched online to find a place that looked kid friendly, allowed you to cut your own tree, and wouldn't cost us my monthly diaper budget to purchase.  Other than the increase in blood pressure due to anxiety that our tree tie down job to the top of my Corolla was sub par, Sleighbell Tree Farm didn't disappoint.  They had a huge, picturesque farm, a gift shop filled with fun Christmas decor and wreaths, a tractor ride around the farm, food stand, and a fire pit where you could sip hot cocoa and apple cider.  Of course, we didn't get to enjoy most of that since we had two kids on the verge of meltdowns by the time we had finished the tree cutting/purchasing, but it sure LOOKED fun! Maybe next year? Ha!

Josh officially cut down his first Christmas tree and then quickly realized after the fact that we should have brought one of the tree carts from the parking lot with us.  Luckily, Mr. Christmas Cheer hasn't lost all of his once football glory day strength.  Especially since his three girls were no help.  We just watched from the sidelines shouting out tips for sawing and giving encouragement as we trekked back to the main lodge.

While he was getting the tree cleaned and stuff, we girls headed into the gift shop to pick out a wreath.  Ryan was given a candy cane which basically made her day and then she got to play with the snowman.  Around this time, Rory woke up and let me tell you, Josh and I attempting to tie the tree to the top of the car with the kids had to have made for quite the scene.  Just envision all doors open, a screaming baby, a toddler in the front seat turning on the windshield wipers and hazard lights and honking the horn, Josh yelling at her to stop, and me trying to console Rory all while haphazardly tying a way to big tree to my car.  It was during this moment that the movie Christmas Vacation came to mind, "I don't know what to say except it's Christmas and we're all in misery."  So true Ellen Griswold, so true.

  

However, we did all make it home, tree included and it did make it into our house....though the top had to be cut off because it was about a foot too tall for our living room.  Okay, this post really is starting to sound like a Clark Griswold movie.  But Ryan loved decorating it and I've only had to bust out the Super Glue to fix about 7 ornaments that have been dropped by the toddler but seriously, I just love Christmas time.

And as Clark would say, "Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas."

Christmas Prep

The countdown is on, one week left until Christmas Eve.  The month of December is flying, like Dasher, Dancer, Prancer style fast and so we've been trying to enjoy every minute so as not to loose one moment of Christmasy goodness.

Last night was Josh's work holiday party and I loved having a reason to dress up and enjoy a much needed night out sans toddler.  Not to mention, the food and sangria were great.  Especially the sangria. :)

Grammy sent Ryan the Little People Nativity set a couple of weeks ago and she just loves playing with it.  It is super cute with lots of animals and a manger that sings "Away In A Manger" which Ryan then lifts over her head and dances with on an almost hourly basis.  I've had a lot of fun telling her the Christmas Story of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and the three Wise Men and Angel.  I know she doesn't really get it at this point, but I like to think I'm planting a seed, even at 17 months old.  I plan to put it away at the end of the holidays and bring it out again next year so that it's exciting and new again.

Ryan has been surprisingly great with the tree so far.  I was a tad nervous about her pulling down ornaments or, God forbid, somehow pulling down the whole tree, but she has been pretty content just looking at the lights and pointing at the ornaments.  I especially love the early mornings, in her pjs, when she seems most in awe of her tree.

She's also loving the advent calendar that my Mom sent us.  We had one very similar in my house growing up (still do) and as children, we used to fight over who got to put the stuffed toy in the pocket every day.  My Mom quickly put us four kids on a rotating schedule.  In fact, once we were all  in college, Mom sent out a list of all the choices via email and we would email in our pick for the day every 4th day.  Talk about not being able to let go of traditions....do they have professional help for that?

For now, Ryan doesn't have to fight with any other siblings.  But, I will say this, she chooses the teddy bear or the snowman (or both) EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  Apparently she doesn't take after me because my favorite was always the candy cane.

My Christmas cards went out in a VERY timely manner by Scurlock standards and I've been receiving some in the mail daily.  It may or may not be the highlight of my day most days.

The snow from Thanksgiving is all but gone and though I'm pretty much 100% okay with that, I might be not so secretly holding out hope for a "White Christmas."  Snow or not, Ryan and I have been watching Christmas movies almost every day.  Her favorite is "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," where as I have a list so long of favorites that it takes the whole month of December to watch them all, but "Home Alone," "Christmas Vacation," and "White Christmas" are at the top.

We're planning to take Ryan to see Santa Claus this weekend since Josh is actually off work all weekend.  We'll see how well that goes, but I am looking forward to the pictures whether she is smiling or screaming. :)

Oh Christmas Tree

On Saturday afternoon, we headed off to Ellsworth Tree Farm in Northborough, MA.  Josh finished up his week of nights on Saturday morning and had to work Sunday so Ryan and I forced him out of bed around 2pm and out to the tree farm.  He doesn't really have a weekend off until just before Christmas so we had to take advantage of the couple hours of family time that were available because God knows I have to have my Christmas tree.

It's been a Fairman family tradition ever since I can remember to cut down a Christmas tree, but I've never experienced a more beautiful tree farm in my life.  I may dislike shoveling snow and driving in snow, but walking through a Christmas tree forest filled with beautiful white snow was pretty spectacular.

However, I have a confession to make.  We didn't actually cut down a tree.  We bought a pre-cut one from the farm.  I know, I know, BLASPHEMY!  But, despite the fact that we live in Massachusetts where there are about a zillion tree farms, tons of trees, and tons of water, the "cut your own" Christmas trees were outrageously expensive compared to California.  So, a decision had to be made, big slightly cheaper pre-cut tree or small expensive cut your own tree.  I ALWAYS want big trees, so to get the most bang for our buck, we went for the big one.  In the Ellsworth barn, they also had beautiful wreaths in all sizes that you could have decorated any way you prefer for relatively little cost which I thought was really fun.

Overall, it was a really fun experience and should we end up elsewhere for Josh's job next year, I'll always remember our snow filled Christmas tree getting adventure.  I'm not sure it could have been any more perfect unless we hiked out in to the forest to chop one down "Christmas Vacation" style.

Oh Christmas Tree

I've been a bad blogger.

But in my defense, Josh and I have been home in Bakersfield for just over a week and we have been enjoying all things American and Christmasy.  There is nothing better than being with all of the ones you love during the Christmas season.

The day after we arrived back in Bakersfield, we set out with the rest of the Scurlock sibs on a hunt for the perfect Christmas tree.  Our journey took us out to Shafter where we searched high and low for the best-looking tree.  And of course with my amazing tree searching abilities, we found it.

Josh, Brandon, Kristin, and Me

Then we had to cut the thing down.  It was a group effort.

 But one person really did most of the work. :)

It was such a fun day with all of the family.  I only wish we were in town more so we could stuff like this a little more often. 


Brooke, Cole, Me, Josh, Brandon, Kristin, Caleb, Jeff, and Jacob

 When we got home, we I decorated.  So now the tree is done, and it is beautiful.  And it finally feels like Christmas time.  And I am so glad to be home.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Tis the Season

Josh's finals for Term 1 came and went.  He did very well on all of his finals and we were both thrilled with his grades for Term 1.  What a relief it was to make it through his first term of medical school!  We only allowed ourselves one day after finals to relax before flying back to California.  Our flight out of Newcastle left very early in the morning, but I didn't mind.  I was so ready to be back on US ground. 

We were picked up at LAX by Josh's Dad and step-Mom.  They drove us the two hours home to Bakersfield.  We decided to stay at my sister-in-law Kristin's home.  The first couple of days were spent visiting family and friends, catching up on sleep, and getting some much needed doggie time! 

Abby, Oliver, Doyle, & Pip

But after about three or four days, I decided that Christmas could not possibly happen if we didn't immediately get a Christmas tree.  Now, in the Fairman family, it is always tradition to cut down your Christmas tree from a Christmas tree farm.  However, I had a difficult time convincing Josh that cutting one down was necessary.  So to the generic parking lot with Christmas trees we went.  I don't know if the sales person was just really good, or if Scrooge had gotten ahold of my Christmas spirit for the night, but to Josh's and my surprise, I picked the first tree we looked at.  I guess I can't complain too much, we still got a great looking tree.

Next up on the list was taking it back to Kristin's house to be decorated.  A Christmas tree is never complete without lights, ornaments, and of course a star!

My handsome star hanger upper.

My Mom has always done an annual Christmas letter and card for all her friends and family.  Now, with a family of my own, I decided that this tradition was something I wanted to carry on for myself.  So I had Christmas cards made and sent them out to all our close friends.  Here's what the card looked like.

I had so much Christmas shopping to catch up on when I got home, that Christmas Eve was here before I knew it!  Yet another tradition (can you sense a theme here?) is getting new pajamas on Christmas Eve to hang your stockings in for Santa Claus.  I think Josh was a little embarressed of my childish ploys (thats nothing new), but he played along well and was such a good sport for the pictures.  Here's us in our new Christmas PJ's.

This was the first year where I actually got to stuff stockings.  It was so thrilling!  Santa was good to us.



Christmas day is always a busy time for us.  We are blessed to have our families so close to each other (all in Bakersfield), but sometimes that makes for a very hectic holiday.  In order to make it to all our families houses, we had to wake up fairly early on Christmas morning.  Some of us were not ready to get up. :)

But once he saw that there were stockings and presents, he cheered up rather quickly.

Kristin, Me, Josh in front of the tree.



Josh and I both got new wool coats for each other for Christmas.  A very fitting gift since we live in super cold England.

Next up on the list of things to do was Christmas morning at Dad Scurlock's house and then breakfast and presents at Mom and Dad Fairman's. 

Opening presents at Mom and Dad's

Josh getting a little Pip loving.

After breakfast, back to Kristin's we went to get ready for the day.  Dinner at Grandma Wetterholms, dinner at Dad and Donna's and dinner at Grandma Catie's were all on the agenda.  And we were able to make it to all of them.  It was a wonderful first Christmas.