Putting up the Tree

I feel like we are getting a late start at decorating since I was pretty sick over the weekend. Anyway, we decided to stop putting it off and get the tree up tonight. Decorating the tree at the Cochran house isn't always the happy, festive event that you see on TV and maybe experienced in your own home as a kid. We have a big, old tree (at least 20 years old) that is not pre-lit. It requires lots of "fluffing" to get it all spruced up. I absolutely love it, though, and haven't found anything I like better to replace it. Allan hates to fluff but is a pretty good sport about holding the lights and following me around the tree while I get them just right. In the past I've been super picky about having all the branches bent up just at the right angle and having the lights wound up and down every branch, but I've lightened up - no pun intended.

It took almost three hours, but we finally got the tree up and lights on (we had lots of distractions). Ornaments are going to have to wait until tomorrow...

Harper enjoyed laying under the tree. Maybe she was pretending to be a present or something.

She was getting tired, but I still made her fluff those branches!

Delaney was a super helper! She said I was the fluffer, she was the passer, and Daddy was the putter of the branches.

Harper lost interest pretty quick and decided to play Mahjongg on the computer. (Notice the ESPN on in the background. I have to let Allan watch what he wants to entice him to help. However, he did come around and put KEZK on the computer for some Christmas tunes.)

We had Harper plug in the lights for us - that's ok, right? Just kidding!

We even resorted to dumping some toys into the tree box and using it as a playpen for her.

The goofy girls also climbed onto the shelves and laid there for awhile. See what I mean about distractions?