How to find the Perfect Christmas Tree

So, we decided that due to our busy schedules this year we weren't going to be able to go on our annual Christmas Tree Pilgrimage on a  weekend. Instead, it would have to be after school/work one day. We didn't really take into account the fact that is would get dark while we were hunting. It did. I must admit, there was a moment or two when I thought I could possibly be stranded in a Christmas Tree forest with 5 little people and require a search and rescue team.... a little scary! However, this family's got skilz and we made it work-without a flashlight... unlike some peeps who came prepared!

I must say, I think we have a new tradition! Momma doesn't particularly LOVE crowds and neither does Bud. Together we can be a bit much for Hubby I think (poor thing). But here's the thing... searching for a Christmas tree in the dark is virtually crowd free!!! As Puddin would say, "Yipee-Hallelujah!"

Yes, you have the dynamic of making sure you don't loose any children, but, as we discovered, they don't wander far when they can't see! It's a win-win I tell ya! And if I must say, This is my all time favorite tree evah!!

So here is our "pilgrimage" in photos.

 Christmas tree farm arrival...still some sunlight. 

 Look intimidating for the "crowds"

 getting his game on...

 ...and they're off!!!

 The pilgrimage has begun!

 The fresh air was exhilarating! It smelled soooo good! About this point, one of the kids was left carrying the pole and the other 4 were cutting loose!

 Balancing on tree stumps was a very popular past time...

 as well as sword fighting!

 We still had some light as we entered field #2 in search of the perfect tree. We even managed to wrangle the kids back into the task at hand....

 for a moment anyway!

 And a quick stop for a photo...say "Cheese!"

 Remember "Where's Waldo"? Well, here you have field #3 and Where's the Fabulous 5?? Can you spot them all? They are all there- promise!

 Finally, after moving to field #4 and losing sunlight, we thought we found the right tree! Everyone was on board, this was the one, except Momma. Something just wasn't right. But the daddy and the kids sure are cute!

 Bud was standing firm on his decision until little sister stepped in and they had a "meeting of the minds". She's little, but sure is Spunky!

 We found it!!! YAY!! Right before the camera died too! At this point we had already lost the saw and pole in another field and had to go back for it. It's easy  to get distracted when you are having fun with this crew! After playing a bit of  "Marco Polo" Christmas tree forest style we found each other again and got to work. Yep, it's dark.

And wouldn't you know it... as hubby is sawing by the moonlight, not only does the camera die, but the saw blade breaks! I don't know how he managed to finish the sawing process but I do remember this is when I started to wonder about the possibility of an emergency rescue!

Once we made it back to the barn safely with everyone in tow, the "farmers" prepped our tree and tied it to our van as we sipped hot chocolate and then...we went on a HAYRIDE IN THE DARK! It was so much fun! Cold, but fun! The stars were beautiful and the moon was so very bright. It was fantastic! but- no pics...dead camera.

Finally, after stopping for a quick pizza at a converted gas station because everyone is starving and cold, we finally arrived home with our "Torpedo" Tree!!

 picture, coutesy of my Iphone.

 unwrapped

          So... there you have it... how to find the perfect tree! Definitely a tradition we plan to keep! 

6 weeks

Wow! has it really been 6 weeks since I last posted?

That's crazy! But, when you have nothing to do all day but sit around and eat bon-bons while your toenails dry, time just gets away from  you. ;)

Well, when we last visited, blogger was under an old format and my kiddos were just getting their summer on. I can definitely say, it is on, and in full swing. 

Our full swing looks a little like this:

swimming lessons, night time swims, eating our weight in popsicles, cleaning out the fresh produce from Publix (more than once), going to VBS (twice), celebrating hubby's birthday, Puddin and Daisy's dance recital, Christmas in July, making some new kindergarten friends (preparing), counting how many days until my birthday a bazillion times x2, having our first sleepover, meeting Farmer Jason (live and in person!!), going to our first surprise party, throwing a going away party, buying another stroller, going to the ER, planning another birthday, shopping at the farmer's market (always a favorite), learning patience (again and again and again), and spending as much time as possible with some very, very special people to us before a really big move. But more on that later.

So, since I deprived you for so long of the sight of my precious babes, here are some pics from our traditional FeedTheDucksBeforeSundayEveningService activity.

It seems like every where you look in our town there is some sort of development going on. new roads, buildings, backhoes, and orange cones are everywhere you look. Well, when the new hospital was built last year they added a park area across the street that included a really great duck pond. last year we visited and I think the ducks were new to the whole, people with bread crumbs thing. This year the ducks have multiplied, and man, they know what's up now! So we started saving all of our crust crumbs throughout the week and on Sunday, after we are up from our nap and before we head back to church, we grab the crumbs and head to the duck pond. It has been a huge favorite!

 There were so many ducks- it was crazy! The pond was full of goldfish and in some of the pictures you could see the gold flecks just under the surface.

 My precious Monkeys!!!

They are so close to being 4 (and thrilled about it, too!)

Daisy aka Sassy

Puddin... my almost kindergartener!

 and baby BUD!!  He has a crazy, crazy love of this red hat!

He wears it every day, all day, even to church!

 Bud thought the ducks might like a corn dog too. (gag!)

They did eat the breading but nothing else!

And finally, when we were fresh out of bread and about to head back to the van I turned around to see "BIG RED". Apparently, she had not had her fill of snacks yet and came to see what the hold up was.

At first, the kids were intimidated, but very quickly that canged, and they decided they needed to pet her. I don't think she bargained for that. They were quickly in hot pursuit! Poor Big Red, her little legs could only carry that nig body so fast! She was waddling with all of her might!

Finally, after we had the kids called off nd Big Red safely back in the water, we turned to see Big Red's Possee!

Also, VERY unafraid of us!

Big Mistake!

So there you go, just a typical Sunday afternoon around these parts!

And, btw, no ducks were harmed in this misadventure!

Rewind... The Hunt

Every year we have a 9 ft. artificial tree for our main tree in the living room. We were married in December and the tree is actually from our wedding ceremony. Sweet, I know. But, I was over it. Does that sound too terribly bad?! I have wanted a real tree forEVER! I remember as a little girl we had a live tree and the last one I remember was when I was 6 years old. Life sort of got in the way for my family and a lot of things changed. Anyway, that real tree with my aluminum foil star on the top has always been one of my fondest Christmas memories.

So, this year- I bucked the system and left our wedding day tree in the attic. A beautiful Saturday rolled around and hubby wanted to know what we would be doing for the day. My response... cutting down a Christmas tree! The look I got back was priceless. I think my enthusiasm won him over though! So we loaded up the youg'uns in our antler clad minivan and set off for the Christmas tree farm. It was *magical*! We had so much fun! (except for the part where we trekked through a field where most of the trees had already been cut. I was "driving" the double stroller and between the ruts and the stumps it was a tough go!)

Here are a few pictures from our trip. Btw- I think we just added a new tradition to our Christmas-ing! Our poor wedding tree may never see the light of day again!

Our arrival at the Christmas Tree farm

Surprise! Santa was here too! Puddin is delighted!

Monkey See is not so sure! All month long he would say, "i not wike Santa... you tewl him I want a speed wacer car".

And their off!!! (Puddin is waaay off in the distance and Monkey's are in hot pursuit!

But where are the Wonder Twins???

Hangin back with Momma! (poor things really wanted to be out and running free with everyone else but there were so many stumps I was afraid they would fall. Plus- they run every which way but loose and it is just plain exhausting!)

A little sword fighting with daddy and some found sticks...

checking out the trees..."Momma- I think these are waaay too little!"

Posing for a picture! (what's with the leg, Puddin?)

And again... the leg. This must be her signature pose... oh my!

Still hunting

we found it!!!

(the one directly behind us)

Ta-Da!

Daddy gets to work

so pretty!

Done! They packed up and headed off so quickly!

Daddy stopped to pose with the babes.

*hubby* He had to carry the tree he-man style since I was pushing the stroller and our littles are just too little to help carry it... for now!

Having some hot chocolate after all of the hard work!

lip smackin good!


Even the babies had some in their sippy cups!

Definitely a fun day! And we will definitely be back!!