Oh Christmas Tree

We have a family tradition of cutting our own fresh tree. It started with my (Janel's) family when I was a little girl and Warren and I chose to carry on the tradition with our own family. We have always had a fun time and it is a good memory.

We went to get this year's tree this past Saturday. We will definately not forget this one....

Our plan was to leave home by ten and head up to the tree farm and then make it to pizza in time for lunch. We actually made it out of the house before noon which is a feat in itself. We then had to make a quick stop at Wal Mart to look for some warmer waterproof gloves for Ella. She came in with me and santa was there, so she had to say "hi" and sit on his lap. (That reminds me, I still have a picture of Ella with santa to pick up at the Wal Mart Photo department.) Anyway, we then went to look for mittens or gloves for Ella and they only had really thin little gloves or thick ones that were way too big, so that was a wasted trip.

Next, we had to stop at the shoe warehouse to return their inventory receipt which they had inadvertently placed in our shopping bag the night before. Of course, I had to buy another pair of cute shoes for Ella since they were such a great deal.

We then headed to the tree farm and ended up getting there around noon. The kids had eaten a late breakfast though so that was all right. I put Chloe in the Baby Bjorn front carrier and strapped on my snowshoes and Warren pulled Ella and Sophie in the sled. Sophia didn't seem to like the sled ride much as she started whining almost immediately after we set out.

The close tree grove wasn't good enough for us, so we decided to trek up the icy hill at the top of which Warren got the brilliant idea to let go of the sled and let Ella and Sophia slide down alone....right into a tree. So, Ella and Sophie were both crying at that point. Sophia pretty much didn't stop crying for the remaining 45-minutes that we were there trying to decide on the perfect tree.

Warren and I finally found a tree, but Ella refused to leave unless we cut down the one she wanted (a Charlie Brown Christmas tree). While Warren tried to pry her away, I headed out of the tree grove and back up the hill toward the barn. Did I mention I was now carrying crying Sophia and still carrying Chloe in the front carrier.... oh, and I was pulling the now empty sled as well?

With an aching back and crying toddler, I made it back to the barn with Warren and Ella close behind. Some nice warm apple cider seemed to help calm Sophia and warm us all a little bit until Sophia tried to walk away and tripped and hit the back of her head on a shelf and with good reason commenced crying again. It wasn't so bad that a snack of pretzels on mommy's lap in the car couldn't cure.

We finally made it out with tree in tow and ended up having a nice lunch a Random Lake Pizzeria (our favorite place after the pumpkin farm and tree farm trips).

On a side note: Warren had to cut the tree really short when we got home because there was a big knot where it had to go into the stand. It is about two feet from the ceiling and looks a little funny, but it is nice and full of braches, ornaments, and love.