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O Christmas Tree


The story of our Christmas tree.
No one froze, no one forgot the hack saw and no one sang Deck the Halls( much to my chagrin), I love carols!

We set out for the mountains to find the perfect Christmas tree...
in a snowstorm.
 I kept hearing Beverly Dangelo's voice in my head from the movie Christmas Vacation saying..."Claaark?!"

I begged for Christmas music to be played but given there are a few Grinches in the family, it was just a whole lotta hoopla going on.  


We chose the "Prancer" route this year.
 The National Parks have a few places to cut so we headed to the one in Fraser, Colorado.

The snow stopped just for us (: 



Clay spoke to a guy coming down with a good tree. We were told to hike up and in for one like his so here we are heading into the forest.

This was some seriously fluffy snow.

The sun peeking through the woods took my breath away.



Audrey was the most dedicated in finding and approving just the right tree with Dad.

Chester, thigh deep, in a snow fight.



Hauling our tree to the truck. The snow started to flutter down. 
It was so pretty and not too cold.



Taking a haul break

We bought 2 tree permits so at the last minute Clay got one more and then slid down a very rocky slope unharmed. 
Such an Alaskan boy.



Tying the tree down is serious business.


Trying to get warm during lunch while goofing off 

And a little bit of club dancing on the way home

I am super in love with our tree. 
I don't know the likelihood of doing this every year but maybe we just will.


I am also in love with my family

Oh! And another tree joined the ranks. 
I surprised the girls after school with this inexpensive white tree that I trimmed in colored and clear lights.

Merry Christmas from the Collins

Take time to really look through the trees for the light.
 Life can be good if we look for the good.







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