Christmas Tree Hunt, 2013

Early snows and bitter cold meant we missed the tiny window when we could still get up the mountain road to find a Christmas tree. This year, we decided to try our four wheelers. It was epic. And brutal.  I don't think we made it 1/2 mile up the road, and it took us HOURS to get both rigs unstuck and back down. In the meantime we found a few trees. Number One and I are bone tired. Here are some photos.

Sawed Off got tired of waiting for us to dig/lift out/free the four-wheelers.  He took matters into his own hands, grabbed the saw and headed into the forest.  He came back with his very own Christmas tree! 

H-Bomb decided he wasn't going to be left out, and took off to get his own tree too.  Sawed Off offered assistance.

In the meantime, Number One freed his big four-wheeler from the snow...for a moment.

It was so peaceful and calm up in the mountains.  You notice these things when you're lying on your back in the snow after working so hard to dig and lift huge machines out of the holes they've dug for themselves.  Although Number One had left most of our picnic back at the truck, I was really thankful for a coke and some fritos.  Otherwise I don't think I could have made it out alive.  I'm not joking.

H-Bomb dragging his tree out.

And Sawed Off decided to dive off the edge of the snow bank.  Seconds later I think he regretted this...

H-Bomb walked back to the truck on his own, not wanting to wait for his parents and the continually stuck four wheelers.

Number One and I settled on a tree for the whole family!  

Once we finally got back to the truck, the boys had fun playing on rocks and snow.  And of course I made them pose for a few pictures after we drank our hot chocolate.

These are a few favorites.  If we do nothing else right as parents, our boys will grow up loving each other and taking care of each other.

And then this happened.  I guess it's not a successful Christmas tree hunt until someone cries.  One to many dives into the snow bank (without gloves or coat!) I think...

Happy Christmas, everyone!!

Christmas Day Picnic, 2011

This is how we celebrate Christmas on the ranch:

Mia, dog of the desert, loves a good hike.
We found a warm, sunny spot on the rocks for our picnic.

The boys were sent out to gather firewood.

I am supervising the operation, right before I take over!

Some of the wood is a bit long...

H-Bomb is a good wood stomper!

Cheers!

Playing on the rocks. Notice the coats are gone; it was a beautiful day!

Picnic time! Cas, Number One, Mia and I.

David, Cas, Number One, enjoying the sun and the champagne!

Time to head out.

Happy Christmas, Everyone!

Gingerbread House: 2010

Every year, we make a gingerbread house. Last year, we made a house AND a santa sleigh with reindeer that we bought on clearance the spring before. This year, I got a gingerbread house from Bountiful Baskets. The only drawback (I think) was that it didn't come with any candy for decorating, which negated the inexpensive cost of the house because we still had to buy a ton of candy. Anyway, it was fun. It went together fairly well, although a wall by the front door was broken when we opened the box. Once it was assembled, we had to wait 24 hours before decorating.



I was worried the house would collapse in the night (the walls are quite thick), so I put an extra layer of icing all the way around the bottom. I'll let you know after Christmas how my bamboo cutting board survives this ordeal...


So, day two, we decorated. We had m&m's, hershey's kisses, sourpatch kids, sweet tarts, mini candy canes, sprinkles and more! It was a blast. H-Bomb discovered that if you twist the sourpatch kids, they make GREAT icicles!


When we decorate a gingerbread house, there are absolutely no rules, we all just have at it. There is no stifling of creativity in this house! Candy is eaten, and some is even put on the house! Everyone sort of decorates the space in front of him/her. Even Sawed Off had a turn with the icing bag! (below)


I decorated the chimney myself! Brown, red and orange "brick" m&m's, with H-Bomb's twisted sour patch kids for smoke!

(notice H-Bomb's icicles under the eave!)

Sawed Off and I decorated the roof on this side.

Sawed Off with the sparkly green gel.

The back of the house, complete with marshmallow snowmen and m&m's wreath!

The front of the house. We had some issues with the sparkly red and green gel icings, but H-Bomb declared that they were "blood and guts" and explained "they forgot to take down their Halloween decorations!" Perfect.

the aftermath.
(and Number One's side of the house!)

Happy Christmas!!!