OHHH Christmas tree....OWWW Christmas Tree,
thy leaves are so unchanging...

This year, since we have kiddos and they are starting to get older, I decided that Brian and I should start some Christmas traditions...so I asked Brian if he would like to start the tradition of cutting down our own tree. Now, please remember that I am married to a Chicago native...not much tree cutting or hunting or camping or hiking etc...goes on around there. I throughly explained to Brian what is involved in chopping down your own tree and he still said that we should do it. So the day before Thanksgiving we drove up past Kings Beach...paid $10 to get our tag and followed the map to one of the tree cutting areas toward Truckee.

Brian, Sean, Darby and I all piled out of the truck we borrowed from Grandpa and set out to find our tree...mistake number one...place your almost 2 year old boy in the kid backpack before starting your hike...we didn't so as we started the hike Brian had to help Sean on the rugged terrain (Darby was in a front pack on me). We then thought that we found our tree...mistake number two... it was slightly up hill so we had to hike up a little more and discovered that the tree was not regulation (too big) when we finally got to it. Huffing and Puffing from carrying two kids up a steepish hill we turned around and heading back down to the dirt road. We continued to walk further down the road from the truck...mistake number three...don't walk too far from the truck...the tree has to be carried that much further back to the truck after cutting it down. We then saw a nice bunch of trees down the hill so we heading down toward them...great idea since we were tired and didn't want to hike up another hill like we just had...that was mistake number four, we didn't figure that after cutting a tree that was down hill we would have to carry it back up that hill. We found a great tree we all liked and then started to cut it down. Like a pro Brian had the tree chopped down in seconds (I was surprised since the only tree he has ever cut was one in his parents front yard in a suburb of Chicago as a kid, which is a hilarious story in itself) as Sean, Darby and I sat and watched. As the tree fell I yelled TIMBER and clapped...Sean really loved that! Mistake number five...when cutting down your tree don't let it just drop to the ground...limbs break. After hearing the crunch of broken limbs I remembered that when I would go with my family A.J. or I would make sure that the tree didn't just go crashing to the ground. So we had our tree and we were ready to climb back up hill. Alrighty then...I was carrying Darby, Brian was carrying our 12 foot tree and saw and Sean was...uhhh?? umm?? Sean was not going to be able to make it up that hill and terrain. So, we decided that I would carry both kiddos up the hill (mind you I was shaking from exhaustion by the time I got to the top) not just because I am royally out of shape (cut me some slack, just had a baby 3 months ago) but also because Sean was crabby and hungry and did not want to be carried. WOW is it hard to carry a 21 month old who is 27 pounds when he really does not want to be carried as well as a 14 pound dead weight baby sleeping in a front pack. Finally I make it to the dirt road, unload the kiddos and sat to chug some water. I then turn around to see how far Brian has come with the tree and saw. Not to far since I only saw a tree flying around in the air and heard some echoing choice words that resounded off the mountain and canyon...just then a family hiking came walking by and asked if everyone was okay...Just fine I said...my husband is just trying to carry the tree up the hill.

About four breaks later, some comments about feeling like he was going to throw up, Brian was almost to the road while Sean and I cheered him on. Eventually, he made it to the road stating that carrying that tree that far and up that steep hill was the hardest thing he has ever done in his life. I gave him some water and told him that I would carry the front part of the tree and Brian could carry the back as we walk down the dirt road back to the truck. We picked up the tree and set off...about 20 steps later I was calling for a break. WOW, fresh cut trees are filled with tons of water and are exceptionally heavy!! I was shocked how Brian did it all by himself...What a stud I though to myself. But then, Sean kept getting closer and closer to the edge of the road where the steep hill went down and he would potentially fall. So to avoid him falling, Brian had to carry the tree to the truck by himself and I had to again carry both Sean, kicking and flailing, and Darby, sleeping. We finally get to the truck, load everyone up, and ate some lunch as we drove home listening to Christmas music. Later that night while decorating the tree, which is practically bald on one side where about 4 limbs were broken, I asked Brian if that was a tradition that we wanted to start every year...

surprisingly he said YES!

Next time it won't be as hard, we think, if we bring along a couple more people..like A.J., Grandma and Grandpa to help with the tree cutting, carrying and the holding of kids. Plus, find a tree that is up hill, not down hill. Just some tips for those of you out there who are thinking of going Christmas tree cutting. I can't complain about the price and experience though because we have a fond and funny memory of our first time as well as a 9 foot tree (after cutting it to size), a wreath that I made from the extra limbs, decorations I used from the extra trunk and limbs as well as a wonderful smell in our house all for the low low price of $10 bucks!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!