The Rest of the Story

So, for several years now, perhaps the whole time we've lived in Kingwood, we have bought our Christmas tree from Tinsel Time Tree Farm.  It's both a tradition and a ritual for us.  We pack a picnic and plan to spend serious quality time at the farm, riding on the sleigh/ hay ride, swinging on the rope, enjoying the open fire if it's chilly enough and wandering around in search of the year's "winner".
Choosing our tree this way reminds me of the book The Three Trees where each tree had a dream and each played an important part in Jesus' story.  It may sound silly, but I know that the tree we pick each year is the luckiest tree on the lot.  I would say our house is joy-filled in general but at Christmas time, it's doubled, maybe tripled.  Any tree would want to be a part of that.
I think I enjoyed this year's outing more than most simply because it was a break in an especially busy period for us.  I soaked in the stress-free time with the whole family.  And I laughed harder than I have in awhile.  It was fun.  Disaster threatened when we had to choose between two trees and Sophie's got the thumbs down.  She decided she was NOT coming home with us.  I'm not sure what changed her mind but we managed to take a pretty cute family photo despite her disappointment.

Photo explosion starting HERE:

 sisters fireside

 the rope swing was a hit as always

 gettin' by with a little help from her sis'

 sleigh ride

 I'm Three!

(Not for long...)

 Budding photographer

 Sophie's tree

Sophie when she realizes her tree isn't "the winner"

 Dog pulling tree

I thought this was cool

 recovering

 Grace lends a hand

 Mia called a quick time out from sawing to get a picture with her find

I think she may have picked last year's tree too

 Daddy takes over and the tree comes tumbling down

 Portraits

Maggie G

 They wanted a room mate picture

Too cute

 Madeleine Noel

 Chris takes a turn

He has my vote for America's Top Model :)

 Sophie's too

 Tree Hugger

 Ella wins for biggest grin

Giving him the Heisman

but in a good way

 Sophie recovered enough to say, "Merry Christmas every one!"

How many more pictures like this will we take?  The Odyssey is a very old friend (very....old)

See you back here next time!