Traditions

"Dad, this tree won't fit in our back yard.
  It's not going in the yard, Russ. It's going in the living room" 

(Great movie, isn't it?)

We started the Christmas season with our annual tradition of going to cut down a tree.  Now I know for my Wyoming kin that this doesn't compare to taking the snowmobile up to the mountains, riding all day in search of the perfect tree and heading down the mountain when it is pitch black with snowflakes falling the size of quarters, but we'll take what we can get!  We do trek to the town of Indianola for a visit to the Walnut Ridge Tree Farm, so that counts for something!

 Just like the other kids, Hinckley had a blast.  I am quite sure we have another outdoor child.

 Grant showing off his "brute" strength...

  McKay can't contain her excitement about finding the perfect tree!

Ahh...brotherly love.  

  Every young man should know how to cut down a tree...

 And so should a young lady!  

Taking it all in...

Day laborer, cheap rates...

Showing their younger sister how to find out how old the tree is.

We had a great day with cooperative weather.  It really was another beautiful day in Iowa.  But, if any of you recall, it was the week after Thanksgiving last year when we got hit...and hit hard.  Here's hoping to a white Christmas!  My kids are ready for some snow!