Tree Hunt

This year just for fun (and because Sherman threw out our fake tree) we decided to go cut our own. A much involved search was on. Not for the trees but everyone's snow gear. There was a lot of questioning from the kids on the necessity of snow gear because we currently have no snow on the ground. I assured them that there would be snow up to their hips(this afforded my quite the look from my eldest son who was also the most vocal in questioning).We were short two pairs of snow suits. We loaded up and went off to the Good Will to see if we could find some, then head out directly. We left the house at about 9:30 making a pit stop to let Gramie's dog out again before the GW. It was a fruitless venture so we turned to Target next door instead. On getting back into the truck we discover that two of the boys felt they really didn't need their heavy coats at all and had left them at home. So after dropping me at the door to Target Sherman headed home for the neglected coats. By the time he got back it was nearly 11:00 and we figured we better grab some burgers for lunch. At the drive up we ordered our lunch of burgers, chicken, and salad only to be told they were not currently serving lunch. Sherman asked when lunched started. The reply was "11:00", less than 5minutes away(Seriously people?). We drove away, laughing, to hit the McDonald's at the other end of town on our way out.
When we got up to the cutting area there was a great deal of debate over where to stop. After dropping off the hitch-hiking snowboarders, several drive by stops and one false stop we found a place where a lot of people where stopping (bad sign, not good). We unloaded, got everyone bundled and booted and started the three hour tour. In snow up to our rears (I know amazing right?) we trudged through the woods. Up, down, back and forth looking for those elusive "good trees" we had seen everyone else pulling out. Tuffer and Matthew having ventured the furthest out said they found a good one and to have dad come and get it. Back up the hill through the deep snow I went to get him where he was sleeping in the snow with Boo on his chest (what the french toast!). I didn't feel too bad then sending him after the boys even though the tree they pulled out was a little lacking and somewhat reminiscent of the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. On the way home the boys and I where trying to convince him to do a "swap out" tree, which is against the rules so we were stuck.
I just hope, like Charlie Brown's Tree, that it will magically be full when all the lights and decorations are on it. At any rate the experience was worth it if only for the memories and laughs. What a Great day!!

Happy Holidays!