After my sister, mom and I returned from Jazzercise (which is seriously the lost art of exercise… so fun!), we piled into my mom’s mini van and headed to the Christmas tree lot to select the winning pine.
When we arrived, we debated about which size we should select an ended up choosing a 7-foot tree.
Ryan and a man from the Christmas tree lot got the tree on top of my mom’s van, and then my mom and Ryan fastened it securely to the roof rack.
They did a good job because we made it home without any issues.
Then my mom, sister and I unpacked ornaments and other Christmas decorations, one of which was a giant picture frame that included our family’s Christmas card pictures, beginning from the year I was born.
Four years later, my sister joined in on the fun!
And now we’re old bones McGee. 
Time flies!
The rest of our day was spent around the house, putting up Christmas lights, rummaging through drawers of old clothes to make a pile to take to Goodwill and playing cards. 
After several rounds of Kings in the Corner, Ryan taught me how to play poker.
It was actually really fun, though I don’t see myself gambling anytime soon.
I am not a fan of gambling at all. One time, when Ryan and I were on a cruise in college, he wanted to gamble for a bit on the ship. I went along to watch him play a couple of rounds of roulette, saying that I thought gambling was a huge waste of money. (Aren’t I a treat? 😉 )
Naturally every time he bet on red, the ball would land of black and vice-versa. Ever since then, Ryan calls me his “unlucky penny” and the “black cloud of doom” of the casino. 😀
Dinner
While we were playing cards, I helped out in the kitchen, preparing turkey chili, butternut squash fries (prepared like turnip fries) and corn bread for dinner. 
The highlight of the meal was homemade pumpkin pie that my mom made from an actual pumpkin… no canned pumpkin allowed! 
I’ve never had a pumpkin pie made without canned pumpkin, and it was incredible. My mom did a fantastic job.
Today
Today we are planning on to spend some more time in St. Pete before heading back to Orlando at a decent time. We’re hoping to bust out our Christmas decorations today!
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Seeing everyone’s posts on Christmas trees makes me want to get ours soooo badly!! My dad won’t let us for another few months 🙁 I love that your mom made pie out of real pumpkin- yum!
Few MONTHS?! Honey, Christmas will be over by then! 🙁
Our tree went up yesterday too! Why wait another moment to start the Christmas fun! 🙂
My tree and decor was up before Thanksgiving! I love it and I don’t think it’s a faux pas!
Mine, too! 🙂 I put mine up the weekend before Thanksgiving. I’m going to enjoy it as long as possible!
aw, I wish I could have a real tree in the house. I bet they smell wonderful 🙂 We picked out our tree yesterday as well, but had to resort to Wal-Mart since my husband is allergic.
What a cute baby you were!
I can’t wait until the Christmase decorations start to go up around here! Well..I’m leaving today, so I might miss it at the family house, but I’m putting up my tree this evening!
Such cute baby pictures. It’s always fun to find little things like that 🙂
All this Christmas talk makes me so excited! You and your family are all so beautiful 🙂 Have fun decorating!!!
I’ve never seen anyone go Christmas Tree shopping in shorts. That would never happen in WI, where I live!!! Brrr….
Julie,
I was going to say the same thing! I was very envious of Leslie’s tank and shorts… never in Chicago either, as you know!
I love seeing all the Christmas tree posts! My family does not want to get one until next weekend, which I am bummed about, because I am ready for a Christmas tree!!
I enjoy playing poker with family members. We usually bet with small coins or pieces of cereal it is always a fun time!
Have fun decorating! 🙂
Love how you are wearing shorts and a tank to pick up a tree…ONLY in FL. 😀
Cute christmas pics. I think its better to send stuff like that out as cards instead of the generic card..Soo much more personal.
LOVE the indoor pool.
My tree is going up today! I put up lights yesterday. You & your sis are gorgeous 😀 Yayyyy for Christmas!
Candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup! Your post reminds me of “Elf”.
It was so crazy to see you guys at T-day and now doing Christmas things wearing shorts. Oh Florida!
I don’t set up our tree until the 1st. Well, it’ll probably end up being next weekend. I hate that the stores want everyone to start celebrating so early. Makes me SOO sick of Christmas by the time it actually comes.
Then again, my grandparents owned a Christmas tree lot when they were alive so I was around them year-round. That part is not very special to me!
It’s possible to make pumpkin pie from an actual pumpkin?? Who knew?!? Haha. I don’t know if I’m quite ready to graduate from the canned stuff…
I LOVED the idea of a pumpkin pie without canned pumpkin. Would you mind sharing the recipe?!
😀
Julie, you and your sister are so beautiful! Also, that dinner looks delicious! Yum! 🙂
Those christmas cards are too cute! You and your sister look gorgeous!
The food looks soooo yummy!!!! I’m don’t really see the point of gambling either….
That dinner looks amazing! Hope you got a good Christmas tree, I linked you on my blog today 🙂
It’s so funny to see someone Christmas tree shopping in shorts and it be sunny! In Chicago we’re bundled up and in hats, scarves and gloves!
I know that I’ve never shopped for or put up a Christmas tree in shorts like you did! I guess it’s all in what you are used to, but up north we have to go out with everything covered in order to stay semi-warm!
But it is fun to get snow during the holidays! So I guess I’m not moving south anytime soon.
There are more fun games to play than gambling if you ask me!
Haha at being able to go Christmas tree shopping dressed like that! It snowed where I live (London) today! 😀
You and your sister are so pretty! 🙂 And that pumpkin pie with real pumpkin looks delicious!
I feel like I dont even have time to put up a Christmas Tree with all the studying I need to do! Maybe for the last 2 weeks before Christmas!
Oh, and loved the photo flashbacks!
sounds like so much fun! I have been putting up Christmas decorations and baking – next weekend is tree time!
The pie looks great!! I’ve never had a pumpkin pie without canned pumpkin either! You lucky duck!! 🙂
I’ve never heard Kings in the Corner, but I’m definitely checking out the rules to the game right after this. I love games. That turkey chili looks incredible, and it’s making me so hungry.
I am just so jealous that you are getting your christmas tree and are in shorts and a tank top. That just blows my mind considering it was just 29 degrees here a few days ago. I miss wearing shorts and tank tops 🙁
I’ve been seeing all the bloggy Christmas tree posts and now I am so excited to get mine! Looks soo fun! I’ve never had a real Christmas tree, but I think that I’m getting my first this week! It’s going to be a little guy because my philly apt is small, but I’ve always had a fake one growing up so I’m excited for this new tradition of getting the tree!!
I have never tried pumpkin pie made without canned pumpkin… but I will need to try it! 🙂
I haven’t started decorating yet for Christmas, but I need to get on the ball! 🙂
Hi. I’m a relatively new reader to your blog. I love how you mix food, exercise & your personal life to make such a fun site.
A few years ago, my mom got me using real pumpkin in pies, muffins, etc. Once you start using it, you’ll never go back to the canned stuff. Surprisingly, pie pumpkins are super easy to prep. You can even do it in the microwave!