Costco Surprise

For the past several years we've been picking up a Christmas tree from Costco.  They are all noble firs, 8-9 ft in height, and we've always had great luck in a beautiful tree.  Here are the kickers - they are only sold the first weekend in December (at least at our location), and although you can "select" your tree off the back of the semi truck, they don't unwrap them!  So you essentially select your tree that is closed and ready to be tied to your car.  It is such a good deal and we've always been pleased, so there's never been an issue with this.  WE LOVE COSTCO!  (Amelia even says it is her favorite store).

This year, Papa Altick helped me pick it up with his truck because Brad was out of town the weekend Costco had trees.  I selected one with my mom and the girls, but we could not tie it atop my car, so I returned with Papa and his truck.

We left the tree on the porch for almost 2 days until Brad came home and could cut off the truck to get to the fresh part of the tree.  He took off almost 6" and then set it up inside. I make this part sound easy, but the trunk was so thick it actually took Brad 40 minutes with a rusty dull handsaw, an attempt with a jackhammer (sorry I did not get pictures of this), and use of a hammer and flat head screwdriver to get the inches off the truck.

When we finally propped it up in the tree stand, the top part was too tall for our ceiling - had to cut some off the top too.  Then came cutting the twine wrapped around the tree.  Our first time viewing the tree!

It was utterly ridiculous.  Brad and I laughed aloud as christmas carols played in the background.  The tree is enormous (both tall and wide) and completely inappropriate for the space we have for the tree.  Oh well!

Amelia said next year she wants a bigger tree.