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!!

Grace in Small Things: 7 of 365

Oh it has been so long since I started this.  In the meantime, there have been many small things and many days and many friends, family and events I have appreciated and loved.  Too many to list.  But I'm starting again today.



Things I am appreciating today:

1.  Hot water and heat, after going more than 30 hours without natural gas, and the gas company who worked to restore service when every single home/business in our town was without. 
 
2.  The friendliness, love, acceptance and inclusion of extended family members, each of whom mean more to our little family than they know.  And they are wonderful cooks!  

3.  The generosity of various people around town who let us have pallets which allowed us to build a wonderful chicken coop for less money than we had planned on.

4.  Reconnecting with dear old friends from far away lands, and enabling further reconnection between them.

 

For this cowgirl's feelings about and inspiration for this, go here.
Here are all of this cowgirl's Grace in Small Things posts to date.
For more information, go here: Grace in Small Things: A Challenge for All of Us.

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!

Christmas Tree Picnic, 2011

This year, our schedules didn't allow us to get up on the mountain when the roads were relatively clear, so we had to go up the back way. We drove as far as we could, sliding around, until we saw a decent place to look for Christmas trees. Luckily we didn't slide off the road OR get stuck!

Snowshoes really helped us navigate the snow, even though it wasn't too deep, it was light and fluffy and would have been hard going without the snowshoes.

The sun was shining; it was a warm and beautiful day. Perfect for Christmas tree hunting!

Snowshoes take a bit of getting used to.

And of course the boys ate plenty of snow along the way.
Sawed Off's cheeks got cold and red.
H-Bomb said it tasted like sugar if you ate enough of it.

This tree will do for this year.
It's shorter than we've had in the past, but that's okay. It's a pretty one.

Number One cut it down. We need to remember to get a new saw blade before next year.

H-Bomb and Sawed Off found their tree too. I made them pose for some pictures. It was a beautiful sunny day!

Sawed Off's crazy eyes.

And here's their tree!

The Best Brothers Ever!

It was fairly heavy, but they drug it a little way.

Look, it's a picture of Mommy!

Hot Chocolate time! We also had cheese, crackers, sausage, cookies, the works.

A toast to a quick and successful Christmas tree hunt!

Happy Christmas, Everyone!