-18° !

We wondered if winter would come this year. Only a few days ago it was raining. But now we know it is really here. We are bundled up and heating the car engine, and putting the snow tires on. The dogs and cat, are anxious to be in the house also. Too cold for them.

There's a Christmas tree lot behind my house! The forest service thinned all the smaller trees and for the time being until the chipper comes they are laying in abundance just waiting. Most of of them are too thin and straggly, none of them are thick and full as you would find if they were commercial trees, but some of them are just right, and fun to hunt for. The sawyers were obviously thinking of Christmas when they cut them because they have all been cut down to the right height between 6 to 10 feet. I had heard the chain saws going out in the woods, and wondered what was up. Then one day I decided to go for a walk and discovered the treasure, Christmas trees cut and ready everywhere.

We decorated our tree last week. Here's some pictures of Lisa doing the Christmas tree light dance. Oh, the wonderful entertaining distractions of life.

And the finished product.

But wait, no Christmas tree would be complete without the family picture in front of it.

We have had basketball games and band concerts, and christmas programs this week, but the thing I got the picture of was Lisa cleaning the laundry room. Gotta love this girl!