Christbaummarkt!

AJ, Stefanie, Dominic & Rachel

Time to find a tree. Just like in America we had options, we just had to do a little more research and translating to find them!  We opted for a tree farm versus a garden store or the local home improvement store.  We found this website http://www.pickyourownchristmastree.org/ and it really helped us find a place!  Isn't that awesome that they had links for foreign countries?

Steve, Stefanie & AJ

Dominic, Rachel & Missy

Although there were closer farms to our house, they unfortunately don't open until the 3rd weekend of Advent.  This is because many Germans wait until right before Christmas, some until Christmas Eve in fact, to put up their decorations.  Since Steve was going to be in the US for two weeks that left us with the first weekend of advent to find a tree.

GPS is potentially my favorite thing here in Germany.  We never would have found this farm without it and it was perfect!  There was a wonderful Christmas market with hand crafted Christmas goodies and tasty food.  After exploring, we found the wagon that took us to the Christmas tree farm. It was huge. It had snowed too, so we hiked up and down the hills through the snow looking for the perfect trees. The kids were eating icicles right off of the branches, like popsicles.

Thankfully at the top of one of the hills a little "hut" was selling gluhwein and kinderpunch. This warm mulled wine/punch is delicious especially when you are out in the cold. Also, it really warms you, it doesn't seem like that could be possible but it really is.

Missy, Rachel, AJ, Stefanie & Dominic

AJ & Dominic

Dominic

After what seemed like hours we found two trees. For our living room we settled on a precut tree for a more symmetrical look. For our basement family room we chose a cut your own tree.  This tree definitely has more in common with Charlie Brown's tree, but it looks sweet.

AJ

We have found that there is an extra bonus having two teenage sons.  They not only cut down the trees but they carry them too.  They even assist with tying them to the roof, although Steve closely supervises that!

We climbed back on the wagon for the ride back to the market.  After so much time out in the cold it is amazing how good a steak simmel (roll) and waffles taste while standing next to a fire.

Dominic, Rachel, Stefanie & AJ