Christmas Tree Hunting

We took our traditional trip to the Christmas tree farm in Vine Grove yesterday. On our way down Dixie HWY we stopped at the tank to let the kids burn some energy. It was fun to watch them climb around and explore, but our "pit-stop" wasn't without a cost. It started to sprinkle while we were there and by the time we got to the Christmas Tree farm it was raining pretty hard.

This picture reminds me of my childhood and the "family day" tank rides my Dad took us on.

We love the Creekside Christmas Tree Farm. This makes the 7th year our home will be decorated with one of their beautiful trees. It's not too big-- Just a nice family-owned farm with smiling faces and hot apple cider.

Usually all the kids want to ride on the cart, but this year Kimberly was the only "brave" one. Apparently it hurts your butt pretty bad!

This is our tree--what a beauty! Yes. I know. It's BIG. We had to cut a couple feet off the bottom (where there was a big bald-spot anyway!)

It was beautiful-even in the rain!

While Robby pulled the tree to the car the kids decided to roll down the hill.

--As if they weren't wet enough already!

Our "hunting" trips are always memorable. Sometimes everything is covered with a beautiful white blanket of snow (which makes it difficult to evaluate the trees!) Sometimes the handsaw they provide isn't quite sharp enough. And sometimes we get the tree home and realize that it grew on the way! But. We always come away with a greater appreciation for
each other and the world around us. And spending the day together in the great outdoors away from the crowded shopping malls helps us to reestablish our priorities and refocus on the reason for the season. It's not about the tree. It's about spending time as a family appreciating all that we have. It's about marveling at the beauty that is all around us. But most of all, It's about celebrating the gift of life we were given by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.