It is almost Christmas.
Today the Smith family is going to get their Christmas tree.
"Come on, Jay and Sarah.
Let's get going," says Dad.
"Where are we going, Dad?" asks Jay.
"We're going to the Christmas tree farm."
Jay and Sarah are excited.
"All right!" they cheer.
When the Smith family arrives at the tree farm, they see thousands of Christmas trees.
"Look at all the trees.
They are planted in straight rows," says Sarah.
"They have many kinds of Christmas trees," Dad says.
"Yes," says Mom, "those are white pines.
And these are spruce trees."
Picking a tree is not easy.
Some trees are too small.
Some trees are too big.
Some trees are not straight.
"How about this tree?" says Jay, pointing.
"It's too thin, Jay," Dad says.
"What about that tree?" suggests Sarah.
Mom disagrees. "It's too twisty, Sarah."
Then Mom finds a tall, straight tree.
"I like that tree.
It is a perfect Christmas tree."
"Wow! I like it too," says Jay.
"It's beautiful," says Sarah.
Dad agrees. "Let's cut it down."
With a chain saw, he cuts through the trunk of the tree. "Timber!"
"Stay back, Jay. It's going to fall," warns Mom.
Mom and Dad go to pay for the tree, and Sarah and Jay enjoy a hot cup of apple cider.
The tree farm makes delicious hot apple cider.
Soon, it is time to go.
"Thank you very much.
Enjoy your tree," says the man at the tree farm.
"Merry Christmas," the Smiths say.
In the parking lot, they tie their new Christmas tree to the roof of the car.
Then they drive home.
Cutting down the tree is only half the fun.
When they get home, it is time to decorate it.
"Brush the snow off the tree," says Mom.
"I'll get the Christmas tree stand," says Dad.
Dad puts the tree into the stand.
Without the stand, the tree cannot stand up.
"Now we can decorate the tree."
"First we must put the lights on," says Mom.
Sarah makes sure that every lightbulb works.
Dad and Jay put the lights on the tree.
"Look at this one.
It's pretty," says Sarah.
"The tin soldiers are my favorite," says Jay.
"Now, Jay and Sarah," says Mom, "you can put some tinsel on the tree."
When they are done, Sarah is pleased.
"Wow, it looks beautiful."
The tree is almost finished.
It looks great, but there is one thing missing.
"The star!" says Mom.
No Christmas tree is complete without a star on top.
Dad lifts Jay up so that he can place the star on the top of the tree.
"Perfect!" says Mom.
"This is the greatest Christmas tree ever," says Sarah.
And everyone agrees!