Getting the tree the old-fashioned way...did we just cut down someone's grandma?

Well, Christmas time is here, and that mean I need a tree. And none of that fake, artificial, weak, pre-lit junk for me. No, I need a REAL tree. The look, the feel, the smell...it's better than cotton! It's the Evergreen of our lives! So two mornings ago, we got up just after light, grabbed Amanda, Hope, and Spencer, and hiked up to the top of the mountain.


It's a pretty good grade on the hike, but not too bad. I found a really cool walking stick a few weeks ago that I take with me in case my ankle slips, but I barely even need it. What you really have to watch out for are spider webs threaded across the path.







Hannah's family cuts a tree every year, so she told us a little tradition. As I understood it, no matter what anyone said about how good a tree was, you were supposed to disagree until the perfect tree was somehow discovered. So we talked about a lot of trees, and disagreed on them all.




And then, we found the one. She was up the hill, above a tomb, and not planted inches away from another tree (it could possibly have been a scared tree planted in honor of someone's grandma, but who knows...?). We didn't have to cut her at the base, and we got a good seven foot tree. I sawed a little (I really wanted an axe, but no one here has one) and then all the kids took a shot, or at least posed with the saw in hand.




Then, we decided kicking it was more fun. So each of the kids gave it their best kick and the tree stood tall. Then Hannah got back in there, sawed a little more, and kicked it down. Amanda even yelled "TIMBER!"









We were quite proud of our little tree. But we don't know what it is. It's not a fir, or a spruce. It's too prickly. I think it's a pine. And you better watch out, because those needles are sharp! We carried the tree down the mountain and left it outside over night because we didn't have a tree stand yet. Hannah made one yesterday, and now...



...the tree is gracing our living room with it's lovely presence. We don't have lights, which makes both Hannah and me sad, but we do have silver garlands and ornaments cut out of paper. These make us smile. And we have those snowflakes in our window!







Tonight, I'm going to get crafty, and make stockings. You remember that Skittles costume? Oh it's handier than you think! And, I've got to make a star to top the tree. Cardboard and foil are some of my favorite friends!

Can't wait to get home a see how YOU decorated for Christmas!