Oh Christmas Tree!

Proud papa with his tree!

This year our search for a Christmas tree seemed a little treachorous.    A couple days before we went up, it snowed about 2 feet and we were expecting another 6-12 inches over the next couple of days, so if we were going to get a tree, this would be our one and only chance to get one.  We normally get one from the Ashley National Forest, but  the road was too steep for the amount of snow we had.  So, we went up to the Hoopes Lake area in the Uintas to find the perfect tree for our little trailer.  Since, Zach's dad was working that weekend, his mom and Brands came with us. 

Brands doing all the work while Zach "supervises".

Sticking the tongue out helps with strength

With all the snow, the drive was sketchy at best, so I insisted that Baby Teddy and I sit in the back so we wouldn't have to see how bad it was.  Half-way up there, Nancy was wishing she sat in the back because we nearly died a dozen times busting through snow covered roads.  She was ready to just cut a bush off the side of the road and go home, but Zach and Brands would not have it. 

Feeling Tuff

When we finally made it up to the forest boundry, the long awaited searching commenced.   This year, Zach was bound and determined to get a Blue Spruce for our tree.  After what seemed like hours, Zach finally found the "perfect" tree, so Baby Teddy and I went out to see what he picked out for us.  It wasn't too shabby, but he had to get the one at the bottom of the hill we were on.  I wondered if they'd even get it out of there.  But, after a few minutes and lots of excitement from all parties, they drug it up the hill and onto the road.

Happy Tree Hunters

Frozen and ready to get back to the truck.

It was pretty cold, so Ted, Nancy, and I all went back to the truck to warm up while Brands and Zach picked out another tree for Nancy.  I've been told that Nancy is a tree Nazi and only the best, most perfect tree will do.  But, I came to find out that Brands is much more of a Nazi because it took them FOREVER to find the right tree.  When they finally cut it down and drug it to the truck, they realized they cut it too short and Brands was angrified!  He told Zach they should add another foot to the height of it, but Zach thought it would be plenty tall.  He was wrong!  But, by the time they put it up, it didn't look bad.  In fact, it was one of the better trees they've had over the years.

Hauling the Beast to the truck!

Baby Teddy's First Christmas Tree

The Youngs' Tree (Nancy, Allen, & Brands)

In all, it was an adventure and a fun story to tell about Baby Teddy's first tree.  By the time we got home that night, it was dark so we set the tree outside over night and then brought it in and decorated it the next day.  Word to the wise, if you ever get a blue spruce for a Christmas tree, be prepared to be poked, stabbed, and brutalized by its needles!  They are unforgiving, and Zach refused to help decorate it because I'm too much of a perfectionist.  What a Scrooge!  I would have taken any kind of help with this tree.  But, after it was all decorated, it looked splendid, and I enjoyed the smell it brought into our home all month!

The finished product!