thank you, everyone! my kids say the tree is the best one we've ever had, my DH and I are not so sure! haha! This was the first year we decided to cut our own, and the tree farm we went to was severely lacking in options. this probably WAS the best tree they had, although not what we would have chosen given more selection. Still, it's really for the kids, right? so if they are happy, we are happy!