From The Forest To The Family Room

When I was a kid I would spend a long day with my dad cutting down Christmas trees for our family, my grandparents, the hired couple, the community club, the church, and anyone else that might need a tree that year. The snow was deep, but there was always cocoa when we were done to warm us up again. I loved these days, and to top it off, few things smell better than a fresh fir tree in the house.

Devon, on the other hand, suffered from allergies and asthma, and as a result grew up with an artificial Christmas tree, pulled out of storage each year for the holidays.

Of course we are both fond of the holiday traditions we had when we were kids, but when we "grew up," then became parents, we had to establish holiday traditions of our own. Devon couldn't wait to get a fancy new model, perhaps a pre-lighted Martha Stewart designed artificial tree. But as much as I try to compromise in general, I had to put my foot down on this one! I just can't bear the idea of an artificial tree, and I'd really miss the evergreen smell to go along with the season.

The first year we lived in Vancouver we bought a real tree from a lot.

The second year we took Avery on a Christmas Tree Train out in Yacolt, Washington, along with Kelly, Kate, & Ed. It was just like buying a tree off of a lot, except that we took a train out into the woods to pick out our pre-cut tree.

The third year we went south into rural Clackamas County, Oregon, to a tree farm, rode around on a wagon, and chopped down our own.

Last year we stayed a little closer to home & went north to a Ridgefield, Washington tree farm. Devon & Avery did the chopping, again.

But this year we finally took the plunge and headed out to the forest to find our own (and one for nana Noma, too). Devon joked that if he chopped down a scrappy tree I might let him pick one up at KMart on the way home, but in the end he was pretty happy about the event, and even said he liked the tree smell. Tradition established! I knew I could win him over with a little adventure*.

Here are some pictures of our adventures, with our neighbors Melanie & Galen, and their children Sean (6) & Sarah (3), in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Carson, Washington. It was nice to have my new camera along, but it was a bit bulky for this type of adventure. But I managed, happily.

All bundled up and ready for adventure. Jordan had the best deal -- she got carried and got to cut down the trees with daddy, too.
She did do a lot of drooling on Devon's shoulder, but that was as bad as it got. Phew!
Heading out into the woods
Above photo by Melanie Payne

Waist deep snow really tired out Sean, Sarah, & Avery. Eventually they were happy enough to just sit and play for awhile while we searched for the perfect trees.
Above photo by Melanie Payne
Above photo by Melanie Payne
Above photo by Melanie Payne
This one will do. Jordan cheers on Devon while he saws it down.
We got it!
Heading back for cocoa
Galen with the Payne family tree
Above photo by Melanie Payne
The triumphant tree-cutting dads
Above photo by Melanie Payne

SarahSeanAbove photo by Melanie Payne

AveryAbove photo by Melanie Payne
Michelin man coat & crazy hair -- oh well. Above photo by Melanie Payne

The family sweater picture. I made each of the sweaters in this picture. I am most proud of Devon's but of course you can't see his very well.
Above photo by Melanie Payne

The Payne Family: Galen, Sean, Melanie, & Sarah

After getting the trees sorted out we went up the road a bit farther for some sledding and snow angels. Avery only went down the sledding hill once, and was soon cold enough to retreat to the warm van with Sarah, Jordan, & I.

My snow angelsAbove photo by Melanie PayneAbove photo by Melanie PayneAbove photo by Melanie PayneAbove photo by Melanie PayneAbove photo by Melanie Payne
Above photo by Melanie Payne

Being silly in the back lead to a nice nap soon enough
Waiting on the deck to get the house ready for the tree
Devon insisted on scrubbing the floors, first (who can complain? I tried not to, but I was excited about getting the tree all set up!)First the lights
More decorations
The decorating team
All done with their masterpieceJordan watched intently, and got to play with some of the decorations along the wayAnd just because -- since Avery & Jordan's birthdays are so close to Christmas I set up this birthday tree just for them.

*And, as an added bonus, I just saw on the news that fresh local trees are extremely more environmentally friendly than foreign fabrication artificial trees. While alive they contribute to wildlife habitat & the atmosphere, and when dead they are recycled & their nutrients give back to the earth.