Here’s the final picture of our tree (see post below for our adventure in getting the tree):

Our Decorated Tree

This has been quite the adventure…we’ve attempted to go three times to get our CHRISTmas tree.  The first time (on a Saturday), our local store ran out of tree permits so we drove to a neighboring town.  By the time we got the permit and got back up on the mountain it was too late (we had to pass the trees, over the mountain, to get the permit), so we decided to go after I got home from work the next day.

Of course, getting everyone out the door on time doesn’t work out the way you plan, so by the time we got up to the trees the second day, it was too dark.  We tried using a flashlight, but how well do you think that worked?  So we let the kids play in the snow a bit, then returned back home.

Have I mentioned that every time we’ve attempt this, we stop by fast food, either dinner on our way up, post-dinner on our way back, or both.  Then of course the gas.  So by now I’m thinking is it cheaper to go buy a tree, or take three days to get it from the mountains…then of course I’m reminded of the family time we’re enjoying.

So on our final attempt, this past Saturday, we were successful.  Whoops, how many days before CHRISTmas? 

Hopefully we created some good memories…in fact we’ve also had some great views of wildlife.  During the first attempt, just getting over the mountain to get the tree permit in the neighboring town, we passed through three different herds of deer, either crossing the road or very close to the road.  We took some pictures with my phone, but by the time we took them they were too far away.  On our third attempt, we also ran into some moose (see pictures below).  The rest of the way up we were discussing the correct plural form of moose, I personally liked meece or mice, however come to find out the plural of moose is moose, it’s just how you word the sentence.  So we saw some mooses. 

We had just come up to them and were still a ways back.

After splitting up, one of the moose returns to join the other on the other side of the road.

Joining his buddy.

Have I mentioned the further up into the mountain we go, the more “blizzardy” conditions we’re seeing, more snow fall and more wind…in fact lots of wind.  I’m sure passer byers were thinking why are these people stopping by the side of the road NOW?!

So needless to say, we find a good spot (we hope) and venture across the road, up a 10 foot bank of 3-4 foot snow:

We just get up the bank.

Lots of snow and wind.

Of course Sue stays in the car with the two little ones, nice and warm.  Here’s a picture of the bank as she’s taking pictures from the car:

That's me and the kids at the top.

Then we disappear for a bit…

Cheeseball. Where's the tree?

Good food. Where's the tree?

In record time we emerge…

There they are.

Whoops, what happened to the kids?

Push, Pull

Almost there...

So total height: 17ft, however recognizing it was already tall, I cut off about 2 feet…so we dragged 15 feet of it back to the car.  Once getting home, noticing it was 15 feet, we had to cut another 5 feet off so it would fit into our house.  We’ll have to post some final decorated pictures.

So after tying the tree to the car, the kids played in another bank of snow.

Taylor did most of the digging.

Dad and Taylor. Jacob started digging a hole on the right, but didn't get too far.

Two peas in a pod, I mean hole.

Taylor, Jacob, and Trevor.

Jacob’s snowball fight:

So Trev, did we have fun?

Boy…this creating memoris is alot of work…and expensive…but we had fun!

What do you think Kara?

Here are some pictures and videos from Jacob’s school CHRISTmas program on Friday, so handsome:

Jacob Singing

Jacob's Class

On my way into work today, the temperature was 0 degrees. It’s now 10:30am, the fog has burned off, the sun is shining, all the trees are covered in white (and very pretty), and it’s warmed up to 5 degrees.

This doesn’t do it justice, but here’s a picture from my office (click to enlarge):

There's a blanket of snow on everything

Taylor’s CHRISTmas Performance pictures and videos:

So Cute

On Saturday we received between 6 inches to about a foot of snow, it’s snowed lightly every day since.  The temperature as I write this is 8 degrees.  Today is was gorgeous and clear out so I had to take some pictures.  These pictures don’t do justice, everything is in a blanket of white.

View from House

Check out the mountains

Lot's of snow

And more snow...

For thanksgiving we made a last minute decision to go to California. We had a great time visiting family.  We didn’t take as many pictures as we should have, but here is a picture of Kaylee, Trevor, and Jacob up at Apple Hill.

Good friends

Every year for the past 16 years there’s a farmer out here that blows up all the remaining pumpkins, the first saturday after Halloween.  We missed it the last two years, but made it this year.  Before they started shooting at the pumpkins (which were covering the dynamite), he stated he put in 30% more dynamite that the previous year.  The force of the blast scared us all.  Here are some pictures (click to enlarge).

Climbing the fence to get the good view

Piling up the pumpkins

Enjoying the view...

Just about ready

Here’s a look at the crowd:

The intro from our gracious hosts/shooters:

Here it goes…

Our reaction:

We took the above pictures/videos with our camera.  Here’s another version of this year’s Pumpkin Blow (from someone else) as well as previous years:

Click here for 2006 (I believe)

Click here for 2007

Click here for 2008

We took a Sunday drive this past weekend up our road:

Fun in the river

Watch out

I don't like posing

So cute