The Kies Family: The 2012 Christmas Tree

Gettin' in some 'Grammy book time'

Kennon, Uncle Bill, and Maddox. So I guess he would be Great Uncle Bill to the kids.

a little smooch from KTK

Maddox and Kennon got their official personalized letter from Santa. Super cool...well really more cool to Mom at this age but in time......

Decorating Grammy and Papa Dick's tree

So with the warm weather today we decided to venture out to pick out our 2012 Christmas tree. The farm we normally go to ( since 2004) was almost out of trees last year so we knew we'd have to find a new farm this year. We went to Trees and Traditions in Leclaire, IA, as recommended by my friend Megan. We LOVED it and really enjoyed the farm more than our usual. Unfortunately we found out, as the worker boys were tying our tree to the top of Sienna ( yes....they do it for you at this place.....!!...they have this completely cool car loading station that you pull your car in between and they step up on the stand and tie on the tree.....) that this is their last year. The owners are retiring. Total BUMMER. The kids both had a ball wondering around and looking at the trees. Maddox kept calling the saw a 'sweep'. She found her own 'sweep' ( a long stick) and kept trying to cut down her own trees. It was super cute. Everyone was really friendly and there were TONS of photo spots. Kennon even got to sit on a TRACTOR...he is sooooo into tractors/construction equipment right now. This was a 1956 Oliver and apparently Grandpa Orville used to have one on the Kies family farm. Eric wasn't too far off when they asked us to guess the year of the tractor. Kennon loved sitting up on the seat and attempting to turn the steering wheel. They still use the tractor despite it's age. Maddox was too afraid to get up on it, for fear it was going to start up....still fearful of loud noises even in her old age :) So the tree is up in the tree stand, slightly crooked and we are thinking Blake the Elf is going to put the lights on tonight. Kennon is really oblivious to Blake and I really thought that Maddox was going to start behaving a bit better since Blake's arrival this AM but she promptly threw a huge fit when we got back from the Christmas tree farm wanting to watch cartoons. Eric and I have decided we are going to have to develop some sort of visual chart to ration out her cartoons as she is literally ADDICTED to them. The other pictures are from our visit up to Grammy and Papa Dick's for our belated Thanksgiving and Uncle Tyler's birthday celebration. We had a fabulous time seeing the Denver clan and Grammy was in tip top shape!! She cooked up a fabulous Thanksgiving feast fit for a king. Carter and Maddox played like they were best buddies. It was really cool to see, given the fact the Knowles family will be midwest bound very soon. The kids helped decorate Grammy and Papa Dick's tree and spent time playing with the toys. We were sorry we didn't make it down to Washington to celebrate Thanksgiving with Grandma Jean Grandpa Jim and Great Grandma Reta. We all got the terrible stomach flu the week of Thanksgiving which completely turned our plans upside down. Luckily before we got sick Grammy and my Uncle Bill were able to come over for quick visit to see the kids. Uncle Bill had flown in from California for Thanksgiving. He looked great and is battling back at his Parkinsons with a good medication regime that allows good functional mobility and quality of life. Kennon totally loved him....you can see he is giving him a kiss in one of the pictures. So nice to be able to spend time with family. We are so blessed. Have a good week and enjoy the pictures. I managed to get some great shots at the tree farm. Our babies are growing up.....they look so old already!!

Carter James putting some finishing touches on the tree. We are so excited to meet your new little brother in February Carter !!

Uncle Tyler reading to KTK

Aunt Brooke and Maddox

Whooo Hooo!! Cake. See how close Maddox is to the person with the cake. Happy 32nd birthday bro!! Nice shirt..... :)

Maddox and Kennon on the antique sleigh at the tree farm.

Eric and Kennon on the 1956 Oliver

You can't tell but we told Kennon to give the Grinch a hug....he has his cheek plastered up to the statue. Super cute.

We took a tractor ride to the spruce section and then walked back to the fir section. I'd probably be considered a tree snob. I like firs over spruces. Just my opinion :)