Thanksgiving Recovery and Getting a Tree

 We loaded up late Saturday morning to go pick out a tree. Ryker took the opportunity to commune with nature and to honor his Grandpa Leo.It was cold, foggy, icy, and snowy, but DeA always looks pretty.The going was pretty smooth until we hit the cloud layer, then the snow turned to thick ice and the road was not great. The kids pointed at a cluster of trees at about the time I was looking to turn around. Right as I parked, a Jeep came down the hill and we had to figure out how to let them by. They offered to pull to the edge if I would drive past them on the hillside. They promised to pull me out if I got stuck, so I started sneaking past them when I slid into the ditch. I just kept the gas on and the wheels pointed to the road when finally I shot out, straight toward the steep edge. After wiping my brow and checking my drawers, I noticed that the Jeep was already halfway down the hill and I don't think would have pulled me out if I hadn't escaped the ditch. I was able to carefully turn around at a switchback and crawled back down to DeA and the kids who I don't think had any idea of my little adventure. They were busy climbing the steep hill to the cluster of trees.

It was a little hard getting to the tree on the steep hill, but I let the teenager handle the power saw like a responsible adult.It was a snowy wonderland.

The kids didn't accept the help of the saw, they wanted to do things the right way, and that way is with the axe. 

It was hard and awkward, they had to swing left-handed.

The others were ready to use the saw, but Rock persisted and saved Christmas for all of us.

DeA was ever the pretty supervisor.

Leo tried to help by gnawing off the twigs and branches of the bushes.

So, um, the tree turned out to be pretty big, probably too big.

We crept out of the icy area and into an opening to continue the traditions with the eating of MREs. 

Rock took the opportunity to pose for pictures.

Why?

The kids love the goodies in the packets more than the actual meal, and Jens was a little bummed that the candy wasn't better.

DeA lasted about two minutes outside before sitting in the warm truck.

Mmm, chili macaroni, just like Uncle Sam used to make.

The England Family Christmas tree.

On the way down the hill, the kids started talking about Christmas when they get older and have their own families and DeA pretty much lost it when she realized that we only have one more Christmas before Rock leaves and things will never be the same again.

Yeah, the tree was way too big and kept tipping over and spread throughout the entry of the house but no one would let me chop off four or five feet. Instead, we weighed it down with two 35lb plates.

The Christmas girl claimed to be too tired to help put the lights up.

Beautiful DeA did most of the work, with a little help from me.

After a brief re-charge, Jens jumped in to help.

Things got a little iffy toward the top of the tree

We lopped off the top to make things look prettier and to make our lives easier.

Very cozy.

Jens wanted s'mores but couldn't find an adequate stick, so she used the fireplace shovel.

If it works, it works.