'tis the season

thanksgiving is over, and tree time is here. the day after thanksgiving seems like the perfect day to find a christmas tree, and that's just what we did. this year, we visited summer's tree farm in middleton. the day was a warm sunny one, and the trees smelled heavenly.

ah, late wisconsin fall. you never fail to disappoint.

the hunt was short, with eagle-eye david leading the charge.

the official decision: another year, another scotch pine. they're just so bushy and full and affordable! and easy to cut down (or so david tells me).

ben anxiously awaits the hanging of the lights on the tree. look at the excitement in those eyes!

once the decorations were hung, christmas tunes were hummed, cider was sipped, and the fireplace stoked, we settled on the sofa to enjoy the glow of the tree. it was then that we realized that we were not alone in our enjoyment of the tanenbaum. from the steps, a tiny black paw repeatedly swiped at the ornaments. crazed glowing green eyes peered from below the banister. aretha was attacking.

a few ornaments were relocated to safer spots, and the attack was over. holiday peace prevailed.