A tree that actually smells!

We finally got a Christmas tree that smells like a Christmas tree!  We had an artificial tree for several years.  That was for me.  So much easier to just pull it out and have the lights already on there and we had one that looked pretty good.  Until last year when Hubby informed me that he really preferred real trees because he liked the smell.  I had not known this up to that point so we decided to get a real tree last year.  We went all out--drove an hour to a Christmas tree farm, played on the toys, cut the tree down ourselves, the whole shebang.  Only to get it home and realize that it had no smell to it whatsoever.  Nothing!  We spent $90 on that stupid thing, and that doesn't include the gas to and from. 

That is not the case this year!  I am sitting in front of our gorgeous tree and enjoying the smell of it permeating the entire house.  This thing is strong!  And I have to admit I'm loving it!  The best part?  We drove maybe 3 miles to pick it up and paid $40 for it.  And it is just as pretty, if not more, so than our tree last year! 

No decorations yet--we got home too late.  Tomorrow!

 I also have the rest of my Christmas decorations up.  Usually I don't have everything up this early.  In fact, I have a little light that you can count down how many days until Christmas and I didn't realize before today that it went above 25 days.  But since Baby Girls #1 and #2 are going to the grandparents next week I wanted to get everything up before they left so they could enjoy it for a little while.  And they enjoyed being able to help me set everything up.  And let's be honest, it is so much easier to get everything out without a 2 year old wanting to help. 

They're a little hard to see, but I love snowmen!  I have a lot of them, but I always want more!

I seriously love these Hallmark things that sing!  I only have two, mainly to help Hubby's sanity.

My attempt to keep the more breakable items out of reach of Baby Girl #4.  I'll let you know how that goes!

You can't see it, but these are right next to Hubby's homework table.  It's because he loves them sooooo much!

 That last picture is a singing village of Disney characters.  My grandparents put them up for so many years in their home at Christmas time.  My Grandpa took a lot of time to get them situated just right on their organ.  I remember as a kid just sitting and watching them for the longest time.  About 5 years ago when they were downsizing Grandma asked me if I wanted it.  I said yes, not really thinking at the time that I would use it that much.  But I've put it up every year and it makes me smile every time I see it because it makes me think of Grandpa and Grandma's house.  And I love to watch my girls sitting in front of it listening to the songs, just like I used to.  And I remember how big Grandma smiled when I told her how much my daughters loved it.  I like having a piece of her in my home like that.