We started out our Christmas season this year by, yet again, heading out into the mountains to cut down our very own Christmas tree.
It's funny - I just went back and read the post about this from last year and I totally let myself get suckered into it again. I'll admit, I had high hopes. The kids are older, I'm in better shape and I fit my snow pants (actually, one pair is way too big. Woohoo!). I digress. I am apparently an optimistic person and admittedly do not give up easily, so we decided to try this as a family again this year. So. Yeah. Um, we won't be doing that again next year. First off, it was really cold. Single digit, even went into the negatives, kind of cold.
I purchased this awesome balaclacvavakavala thing from Costco, so I suited up as a Ninja Mommy and was all set to go. Lots of layers for everyone and a thermos full of hot chocolate.
We headed north towards Lowman, aiming to go to the same spot we did last year. Little Man started losing it about 15 minutes before we hit that spot. He is not a fan of car rides.
We saw where we wanted to park and Papa pulled a U-turn, using a plow pull out area (that wasn't plowed) to turn around......and we got stuck. Really stuck. There was actually someone sitting on the side of the road RIGHT there who hoped out to help. That is not normal - these are single lane mountain roads where you may not see anyone for a WHILE, but 'tis the season for Christmas tree cutting! She had a shovel - our "prepared" behinds somehow did NOT have our giant case of tools with us. How is it that we have a "seven" passenger vehicle but once it is loaded up with us, the kids, car seats, gear and coats there is just about no room? Once the dog is in there too we are full to the gills. Might be time to check out a Suburban. Anywho - back to our being stuck in our 4-wheel drive vehicle in the snow. So, the shovel and the good Samaritan and me pushing did not get us out. We finally had to unravel the winch (yay for having that level of preparedness!) and hook it up to a tree across the road. That finally got us out. After all that fun, it was time to park and suit up.
We got the kids all bundled up - Little Man crying the whole time - and loaded up in the carriers. Little Lady is really at the limit of fitting in the carrier anymore - but that was really the only option for her. I had Little Man on my back, and then of course slipped on the ice and fell. I landed on my side, so he was fine. I really didn't hurt myself - amazingly - and I'm crediting my fitness level for that. Another win for CrossFit.
We hiked up and over the hills, heading away from the road (tree has to be at least 300' from the road).
It is honestly beautiful out there. The views were probably the highlight of the trip.
We found a tree that looked nice an full and Papa chopped it down. Little Man continued to cry.
Once it was down (after I caught it from falling on Little Lady's head and blotted my then bleeding hand), Papa wrapped it up in the tarp to drag to the car. I then picked up Little Lady, carrying her in my arms through the snow while Little Man continued to cry on my back. Another win for CrossFit. I was ahead of Papa and eventually lost sight of him. I yelled several times for him. No answer. Really? There is nothing out there - there is no way he didn't hear me. Something must be wrong. So - how do I proceed? Trudge back to check on him or just keep going? I ended up having to leave Little Lady sitting under a tree and hiking back up a hill as fast as I could to try to see what the issue was. She was in my line of sight the whole time - but I do not like to have them out of my reach out there, so I was none to happy about this. When I got to the top of the hill I could see him - taking a completely different path back to the car. Of course. He said he couldn't hear me because of his hat.
I retrieved Little Lady and trudged back to the car. She was now crying at this point too because her feet were cold.
I took this picture when I got back to the car as a reminder NOT to do this again next year. When they are older, maybe, but they are just too young for this stuff now. What? Oh, you want to know what that stuff on my eyelashes is? That is ice. Yes, I had ice frozen to my eyelashes from the steam of my breathing.
Next year we will maybe go somewhere that we can point to a tree and someone else will cut it down while we sip hot chocolate around a fire.
Memories are great. Traumatic ones are not.
The next day we set about decorating the tree. This tree has not been fun. It's needles are vicious. It has some serious self defense mechanisms built in. I am very much ready to get rid of it. Lots of lessons learned this year.
He was more interested in taking each ornament out of the box than putting them on the tree.
He did get to help put some up higher.
All done.
We also did lots more advent calendar activities, like checking out lights.
We stuck close to home this year and were not disappointed.
One neighborhood was all we needed - they were decked out.
The last weekend before Christmas, there was a super special activity on the calendar.
A Daddy Daughter Date to the Nutcracker.
They both got all dressed up.
I painted her nails for her.
I gave her one of my old necklaces to complete her outfit.
She was very excited.
You may have noticed we also treated ourselves to a nice DSLR, so I'm having fun with pictures now. You'll probably notice a slight improvement from the usual pictures which have all been done on my phone.
She had a GREAT time. They went to the ballet and then dinner at Boise Fry Company (her fave restaurant). This is going to become a tradition. I can't even tell you how good this was for her. For both of them.
Christmas Eve was super busy, picking up my sister from the airport and going to the children's mass. We then had to get ready for Santa.
He was very generous! A bike for Little Lady and a car for Little Man.
He looooooooooooooved the car.
Little Lady had written a letter to Santa with certain requests.
He got pretty close to the list.
This guy could care less about the books or stocking stuff he got.
He was all about the car.
They also noticed Santa left a Nutcracker and finished the cookies we set out. The reindeer had taken some big nibbles out of the carrot we left too.
They checked out their stuff.
He took this for several spins.
Yay, floss!
Some Christmas classics on dvd.
Wait - what is this!?!? An ORANGE in my stocking!?!?!?
With pictures, timing is everything.
He eventually got around to checking out his stuff.
She finally put the books aside to check out her bike.
And then, of course, they had to check out each others gifts.
One may have been a bit more popular than the other.
Then it was time to move over to the tree!
This was the only way he would come over.
Mika kept us company too.
We all got lots of very nice gifts
from very nice people.
The kids couldn't want for anything.
This guy did have to take a nap break, it was so exhausting.
He eventually got through it all.
This one kept taking reading breaks.
So many new things!
Handmade gifts are always the best.
We headed outside later that day to try out the new gear.
She did a great job.
Such a big girl!!!
He still finds playgrounds more exciting than his new car.
He was giving me kisses through the bars.
No fear.
The sun started to go down
and the temperatures dropped,
so we headed back to the house
to enjoy our Christmas feast!
Turkey, cranapple sauce, roasted carrots, roasted Brussels sprouts with maple horseradish glaze and paleo biscuits (with a little splurge of grassfed cheese ((the cow, not the cheese)) tossed in).
Overall, it was a great holiday and the beginning of a nice visit from my sister.
Spots are filling up fast, so reserve your space for next year! ;)
