Tree Hunting

Since we are staying home for Christmas this year, we decided it was finally ok to get a real tree for the year since we would be around to enjoy it. So the Saturday after Thanksgiving we headed out to one of the local u-cut farm to find the perfect one.

The boys started by finding trees that they were bigger then:

 Then the real hunt was on!

Clark let the charge and was super excited when he claimed he found the perfect one. He "whistled" until we all found him the point it out as he let the way.

 Then we realized he was talking about the BIGGEST tree in the distance and had to explain there was no way that tree would fit on the car let alone in our house. We needed to find a from one of all the ones around us. Once he understood that, he started hunting for the perfect, more reasonable sized tree.

 Soon it was found.

Logan hugged the one he wanted and Clark had to walk around it to see if from every size before he agreed it could be our perfect tree.

 Once we all agreed, Daddy got busy cutting it down

 Logan hunted for perfect sticks and pine needles hoping to stow those away in the car to go home as well.

 Clark sang songs, whistled

 and took breaks to encourage Dad in the cutting process.

 Finally, we got it cut down. Then managed to haul it back to our car at the farm entrance....a ways back. (Who picks trees close to the car....you got to walk a while first!)

$15 later for our beautiful grand fir and we were ready to load the van.

 We didn't take any pictures of the tree in the van, but lets just say it was a TIGHT fit. We decided it was easier to put it in the van then on top and after a while of reconfiguring seats, readjusting tree position, putting the drivers seat as close to the steering wheel as possible....assuring I was driving home....we finally got everyone in with the tree and all doors closed. We must have looked so funny in our 30 minute ride home or at least I did so close to the dash board, but it was part of our fun adventure.

Once we got home, Dad worked on securing the tree to the stand outside and tried to leave as many dead branches, old bird nests, spiders, etc outside as possible.

 Clark had a great time being a super cute super hero model for pictures with the tree before moving it inside.

 Finally, the tree made it inside to the perfect spot in the living room. (Can you see that since we actually live in a house currently with vaulted ceilings that we took full advantage of it!! It's so tall, but fits great and we love it.)

 Later that night the parents added all the lights

 and then the next morning all of us helped put all the ornaments on to complete the perfect tree look.

We definitely have enjoyed having a real tree and I love how good the house smells.

Nothing makes your house smell like Christmas quite like a fresh cut tree....if only it didn't shed all those needles, but it's just a small sacrifice to make for the rest of the fun.