Tree cutting tradition

For the past 6 years we have purchased a permit to cut down our Christmas tree in a designated portion of the National Forest. It is a tree thinning program that is good to support, but also gives an extra special feel to the season. In fact, we have never purchased a tree from a lot. When we first were married our "Christmas tree" was a tree-like plant that could barely hold the weight of two ointments. Then not too long after we moved up to the mountains, we started our tree cutting tradition. It snowed last night, which made it seem even more Christmasey during the tree-hunting.

Here we are before and after we found our tree...well, when Tyler and Tate found the tree while Carmen (my friend who is literally hours away from having her third child) and I stayed back to chat. Chase cuddled up with me in my jacket all snug in our totally-worth-every penny Ergo!