tree hunt

We used to enjoy an annual "day of decorating" during which the entire house was transformed and the tree selected and decorated on the same day. But once the twins were born, Scott and I realized that trying to manage the daily ins and outs of a large family plus decorate an entire house meant that instead of it being a joyful, fun day it was a stressful, crazed, get-through-it kind of day.

And so, we busted up our decorating. Because we aren't trying to decorate everything at once, we all savor our time together. And an unexpected benefit was that we had more time to enjoy all the little things which mean Christmas is coming.

Phase One: the house. We transform our cozy abode into a magical, Christmas wonderland. 

Phase Two: tagging of the tree. During the weekend after Thanksgiving, we all bundle up to enjoy a long, long, long stroll through the woods while 10 people try to agree on the perfect tree. After we find the tree, we stop in the ornament shop where everyone chooses a new ornament for the tree. Our goal is to be able to send each of the children off from the nest with a nice, big box of Christmas memories from all of our years together.

Phase Three: killing the tree. A week or so after the tree is tagged we return to the farm to chop the tree down, bring it home, and allow it to dry out before draping it with electric lights. 

Phase Four: trimming the tree. Within the next day or two, we work together to fill it with memories and more memories. This time as a family is by far one of my favorites every year as each Little Rutherford shares stories and laughter over all the ornaments as they are brought our of the bins.

And so, in the spirit of enjoying the season a little bit at a time, here are some pictures of our afternoon adventures while scouting out the perfect tree.

Elyas clutching a chocolate chip cookie and asking Santa for trains for Christmas. Unfortunately, we learned that the trains Elyas desired were the ones circling the trees on either side of Santa.

Keats with Santa. We didn't realize Santa would be at the barn when we arrived to tag our tree and Keats was particularly excited!

Abigail talked with Santa about his life in the North Pole, being married, working with elves. Only when she was getting down did she remember to ask for gifts.

Aidan really wanted to talk to Santa, but he was very nervous. He didn't stay on Santa's lap for very long!

Alas! My favorite Christmas tree cannot be hand selected and chopped down. And so, I gave it a hug and went walking through the woods with the family.

Elyas, ready to be carried.

Scott teaching the children the southern art of grass-gnawin'.

Aidan -- like father, like son.

Elyas preferred studying the grass to chewing.

Elyas continuing to help us look for the tree, even as the sun begins to set.

Dawson and Tucker finally found the perfect tree. They proudly posed victorious with our tagging flag.

The whole crew (minus photographer Scott) and our new tree.

And now we can see Scott and the tree.

Isabelle all smiles as we begin the walk back to the barn and our van.

Scott and Aidan, with appropriately grass-stained knees considering all the tumbling down of hills which occurred.

Heading west.