The wonderful Hales joined us at the tree farm the day after Thanksgiving (which we actually held on Friday this year to accommodate Caleb's schedule. Kind of fun!) on a hunt for Christmas trees.
Here we see Emme coming to the rescue of Malan, who is under (mostly friendly) attack from cousin Luke. I guess Emme didn't know it was all in good fun, because poor Luke ended up with Emme's BOOT PRINT on his face. Ah, cousins.
Caleb and Jane staked our claim, just in case those sneaky Hales tried to snatch it out from under us.
There was a bit of a mishap when cutting down the Hale's tree and poor Joey was nearly crushed to death. But his cries of, "Leave me! Save yourselves!" brought Malan, Luke, and Emme to his aid and he was pulled from under the weight of the piney limbs just in time.
Finding just the right tree was trickier this year, mostly because that used to mean I picked the tree, but this year both Malan and Jane had strong opinions about which one each thought was best. I think we struck some sort of deal and bribery was likely involved, but we finally reached consensus and Caleb got to work cutting it down for us. Trees in the south are of different varieties than those we're used to from the colder Northern/Western climates. We chose a Virginia White Pine with beautiful long, soft needles, about 11 feet tall, and I think it is my most favorite tree ever. The boys hauled our trees back to be shaken and loaded on the vans while the kids played on the farm toys and took a barrel train ride.
At home we heated up some hot chocolate, found our favorite Pandora Christmas station, and set up the tree. I love this tradition so very much. For us, it's the perfect start to the Christmas season.
Sure hope you are enjoying this time of year, and all the traditions and grateful feelings and good family time that come with it. It can be a stressful time too, so here's to taking some deep breaths and trying to enjoy the hustle and bustle. And here is some good advice along those lines from a very wise friend of mine.
Sure hope you are enjoying this time of year, and all the traditions and grateful feelings and good family time that come with it. It can be a stressful time too, so here's to taking some deep breaths and trying to enjoy the hustle and bustle. And here is some good advice along those lines from a very wise friend of mine.
5 comments:
Running off to a meeting at work, but I wanted to say that looks like so much fun, a great time, and an awesome tree! Merry Christmas in advance, in case I don't get to wish you one closer to Dec. 25! Love and miss you all!
Leave me! Save yourselves! Ha ha! that made me laugh and the boot print! phhhh! so funny. What a fun tradition! I wish we still did a live tree for the Lodge tree, but so many tip-overs ruining the carpet made us shy away. How have you not had that!?? What a great time you all are having back there. Love the faces in the picstures. When you come out, I really need some one on one camera lesson time. Mwah! :*
You should print these in a book. Such a wonderful story teller you are, especially through your photos.
I find this to be our most refreshing tradition! (you capture it SO well!) I love it so much! We have yet to actually cut our own though. Either way, I get the fresh smell of pine! There simply aren't words for what that does for me!
I followed your link to find out what your wise friend had to say...that really meant a lot. Thank you!
Merry Christmas Kate!
Ok your Christmas posts have just totally made my day, even though I'm reading them the last week in January. I am cracking up here at the boot print and at Joey's predicament. So funny. So glad everyone is ok and lived to tell the tale. Love all the pics, beautiful as always!! You are just amazing with that camera Kate!
Post a Comment