Christmas Traditions: Tree Hunting

So, it's Christmas tree hunting time; every year, we go to a Christmas tree "farm" and cut down our tree.  One year, we were even dumb enough to buy a "balled & burlapped" tree (a tree with the roots attached in a burlap sack for planting).  That was a nightmare, but that's an in-person story.  We always have a good tale to tell when it comes to getting our tree.  Typically, we misgauge her (yes, our tree is a girl).  She has historically been too wide, too short, too tall, too heavy (see balled-and-burlapped tree) - you name it, we've had it.  So, this year, we were pretty excited with our find (yea!).  Our tale came from the getting of the tree.

You see, the Midwest is known to be a pretty changing climate.  Today's winter is not the same as next week's.  And with busy Christmas weekends all around, finding time to go cut down our tree, and avoid unpleasant weather, often is tricky.  In years past, it has been frigidly cold or snowing or, dare I say, a weird 60 degrees.  This year, we got rain & cold.  Not cold enough for snow, but cold enough for hats and gloves.  And did I mention rain?  While walking the acres of a farm for a tree?  Wanted to make sure I mentioned that one.

Since we were all bundled up, that's always a fun time for pictures, right?  And my boys, they are always up for a perfectly posed shot.

We do enjoy getting to wander the trees in search of the one we will take home, even with a little one in tow.  This is not a memory I made as a kid, mainly because my mother is allergic to evergreens.  Of course, amidst these memories, are dirty coats and gloves from the mud and falling rain drops as we explored.  Hopefully, you don't have to look too closely to see those.

And then, when you find one that could be fitting, someone must stand guard.  Here was our guard.  He looks threatening, right?  I wouldn't challenge him.

Then comes the fun part: sawing down your tree!  The last few years, we have had our son be a part of cutting the tree - he is pretty good at it (it is NOT an easy task).  When I have helped in previous years, I know that the beginning is easier than the end, so I can appreciate the need to stop and have some one else take over.

After the tree was all cut, we waited patiently on the side of the road for the bus, but it was full and passed us by.  Our daughter wasn't thrilled to wait and wait only to see the bus pass her by.  She made sure to point out that he was "gone" up the hill.  So, the boys stood in the middle of the road so we wouldn't get passed up again and had fun singing in the rain.  Then we loaded the bus and had our tree wrapped and tied down on the car.

So, the hard part is done.  Next step: decorating!  Make sure to come back to see her all dressed up!