Wow, what a December Saturday.

It was beautiful and sunny out today. And our family went out and got our Christmas tree. The boys have been excited all week to do this. Every time they would wake up either from the night or a nap they would ask if it was the day they were going to get to cut down a Christmas tree. And the day finally arrived, and it was probably the prettiest (or one of the prettiest) days that we have had for a tree cutting day. So we got all packed up today, stopped off for our usual cold sandwiches and then began the journey. We listened to Christmas songs and talked. We stopped off at the ranger station for our permit and map and then the fun really began. This is the FIRST year that we have been out with absolutely NO SNOW on the ground. I thought that it would be so easy without the snow on the ground.... Well, the driving was, in fact easy breezy. However, that usually present snow does pack down a lot of little seedlings and brush that really hung the kids (well all of us) up. But in the hiking the trees brushed against us, and we pushed branches away or even clung to them to steady ourselves, we came away with the refreshing smell of pine in our hair and lingering on our clothing. We entered and then hiked and hiked. Mike carried Jockey who was just about branch snap back height. We looked around and keep hiking. We crossed a little stream with care. The dogs excitedly got out of the truck and began to tramp in (on the way out, Zuma's previously injured leg was giving her troubles and she was wimpering.) We found a clearing and decided that one of these just had to be it. The boys were busy suggesting trees left and right. That is when Jockey wasn't BLOWING BUBBLES. That's right our littlest decided that the forest and bubbles were the perfect combination. While it was inconvienent that he wanted to blow bubble WHILE we were hiking, it did keep him busy during the time to survey, discuss and cut the chose tree. We found a good one. Mike took charge of the tree and Tigger, who didn't grasp the concept of not stepping on the trailing tree as we decended back to the road. I aimed the boys down the hill. It was rough going because it can be very slippery. I ended up having to carry Jockey most of the way. It's funny that it felt like we were so out there and it took a long time to get in and out. However, stripped down, it might be over A football field length, but not two. That's forest perspective for you. As Daddy loaded up the tree, I broke out the hot cocoa. Of course being HOT, I had to had a bit of fresh mountain stream water and it made it perfectly enjoyable for the kiddoes.

So this tree is the tallest tree we've ever had. Putting it at the highest part of our living allowed us that. It is a thick but not terribly wide tree, and wonderful NOT bare in any major/obvious areas at all... in fact it's hard to find a bare spot. I think it is one of our better/best trees. But from what Mike said, it had better be, because the thing is every bit of 100 lbs and Mike hauled it out alone. It is now finally set up. It took a while, especially since we needed to run out for more supplies because we have never had this size tree to cover with lights. The boys eagerly (an understatement) helped add items to the tree, and I slowly rearranged to create a balanced appearance. This year is the first year that we have needed a ladder (even Mike needed it to reach the top to place the star. The boys thought it an extra novelty to climb the ladder. In all previous years we had an abundance of ornaments at about 3' high, now we have them plethora at the 5' level, followed quickly with the rapid decent due to jumping off the ladder. The jumping got annoying let alone hazardous and almost drove the boys into a bedtime before the final light up and reveal. The boys are awed by the lights and the bells and all the little things on it. And it was perfect that the moment that we darkened the house and did the grand lighting of our tree for the first time, the radio came on with the sound bit from Charlie Brown's Christmas about what Christmas is all about: Jesus's birth, the celebration of the birth of the Savior of our world. It was a perfect way to finish the entire day. (Of course, that wasn't the end, there was garbage to pick up, pine needles to vaccum and all the snow clothes to pack away again... but you know what I mean.)

So we have two happy boys that were so happy with today that they didn't ask about presents at all. And they are even feeling pretty blessed and excited about sharing Jockey's bed for a camp out tonight.

This season has brought on silly songs from the boys, like 1) Rudolph the broken legged reindeer (our light up reindeer is suffering from a broken leg at the moment, and 2) Santa's dead... NOT as morbid as it sounds, really. We've explained to them that Santa/St. Nick is someone who once lived long ago, who gave gifts to others out of obediance to Christ's commandments and instructions. So when they asked if santa was alive like Jesus, we said no but we remember his generousity and obedience because it was Jesus he was obeying and Jesus first gave to us. So that's how they got that Santa was dead. I had to quickly admonish them NOT to tell anyone that because it might hurt someone's feelings if they thought santa was alive. "Ok mommy" is what they said.

So at the end of a long day, we are all tired. And I'll just have to get around to posting pictures tomorrow. Patience please. I'm going to go eat dinner now.
Good night.