12 Days of Christmas- Day 2

"Aunt Emily is coming!!!" Cassidy was way excited about the arrival of Matt's sister Emily. The world traveler was back in town fresh from Europe with a new degree from the school she attended. The last time they had seen each other was during Cass' first Christmas in 2009 so this visit was long overdue :-)

Aunt Emily joined us as we went in search of our Christmas tree. Usually we would have a plastic green tree, but we did not move it across the country. After learning that Christmas trees grow on farms and no forests are cut down, they put lots of good oxygen back into the air while growing and are then recycled after use for more soil to be put back into the earth and that the place we were picking up from grew their trees next door in Wisconsin, we were sold on the idea of a live tree. The 60% off groupon special didn't hurt either!

We drove about 30 minutes away, and found a perfect parking spot in the trendy town of Oak Brook that wasn't altogether a real parking spot, but close enough for us not to get towed. The trees were all bundled up and the first tree they pulled out was not what I was looking for. I tried to gesture with my hands more of the shape I had in mind and Emily translated perfectly so that the next tree we were shown was it! All of the people working were so nice and helpful that we barely noticed their set up was in front of and kind of part a wine shop/bar. Interesting. Once Fir-nando, yes I named our tree, was tied atop our car we were off!

Back at home, Matt and Emily set Firnando up and we baked all kinds of cookies while watching Miracle on 34th Street and pulling out ornaments. Firnando smells amazing and I have not cleaned a single bristle or green twig yet. I think it's a Frasier tree? Whatever species it is, Cassidy is very handy at assisting with turning the lights on every night :-)

PS- at one point during Emily's stay with us, I found her and Cassidy having quality bonding time over technology in Cass' room! I had to take a picture of that one.

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