O' Christmas Tree

When I was a child, the start of the Christmas season was marked with a family trek to the woods to find the perfect tree.  All five of us would load up in the old farm truck and drive to various corners of the woods until we spotted the tree.  Dad would then cut it down and place it in the bed of the truck.  Mom and Dad would bring it inside, find the best looking side, and the tree decorating would begin.  Such fond memories revolve around my childhood Christmas tree, not because the tree was important but because spending time with family was important.

When Josh and I were married, we started our family tradition with an artificial tree.  I enjoy putting it up early and not having to water the tree.  However, our tree is very large and since we are living in a condo, we didn't have room to store the tree.  As a result, our tree is in Kentucky and we needed to purchase a real tree this year.  Since we live in the Christmas tree capital of the world--or so it seems-- we had our own family trek to the woods  a Christmas tree farm to find that perfect tree.  Not only is it the kids first real tree, it's Josh's too!!  Hopefully this will become a family tradition each year and our children will reflect on these as happy memories, just like me.

 On a hayride to the trees...this is pretty much how every picture I try to take turns out.  There must be some trick to get ALL three looking at the camera AND smiling at the same time...I just haven't learned it yet!!

 Abby like this tree....

 ...and Micah liked this one.  They were excited to find a tree that was "my size."

 Micah is ready to saw.  Of course, all parenting advice would tell you to NOT let your children play with sharp objects!!

 Another example of the kids NOT looking at the camera in unison!!

 Daddy cutting down the tree.  It takes talent to cut down a tree while NOT getting your church clothes dirty!!!

 Hauling the tree back to the truck

 Every tree needs a star!!