Finding that Chrstmas Tree

We packed up the kids, a picnic lunch, and some hot chocolate and headed up to the mountains to cut down our very own Christmas tree. Yes, some of our kids are a little young for this, but we like adventure, so off we went!

After our good-intentioned picnic in the icy-cold snow, (that actually turned into a picnic in the much warmer car), we trekked out into the woods. Kate was on my back and Ella on Jeff's shoulders, and so, with our four little ladies we were off on our mission to find that pine-smelling, sap-sticky, beautiful-in-its-imperfections Christmas tree.


It turns out that it was not as easy to find a Christmas tree in the woods as we had thought. Yes, we were in a forest full of trees, but none of them actually looked like Christmas trees. They don't grow so full, so pretty, so perfect on all sides, with branches down to the ground. They are skimpy, and bald in spots, too tall or too short or too dry. We kept searching untill the girls toes and hands were feeling too cold, then we headed to the car for a steaming-hot-chocolate break.


The girls were not ready to brave the cold again. And as it was getting late, and we had a Christmas party to get back to, Jeff grabbed his saw and ran out into the woods. It was between him and the forest now... and he was prepared to conquer! Meanwhile, us girls had a great time in the car with our hot chocolate, peppermint sticks and silliness.



Kate calling daddy and girls being silly.

How many times did Aubree go potty on this trip? Watch to find out. She actually went one more time after this video.

After searching for 1-2 miles, Jeff came back with a beauty. A Noble tree- the perfect height.



We had one extra permit, and decided to get a second tree to give to another family. We drove to a new spot in the back woods, and found a bushy Douglas Fir quite quickly. It was fragrant and full and a good height... but it was missing the bottom 1/3 of the branches. We went with it! Jeff tied the trees to the top rack of the Landcruiser while the girls and I gathered some pine cones. We were finally homeward bound-- too late for the party, but just in time for bed.

After getting the trees home, the girls chose to keep the Douglas Fir as our Christmas tree. It actually worked out quite well! The missing branches made it baby proof and provided room for the kids to play underneath! Jeff delivered the other tree the next day to a family that didn't have one. While the trip didn't go exactly as planned... we will always remember the adventure.