Oh my aching back...

Chad had to work and I couldn't go treeless for one more day so I loaded up the kids, hit McD's, cranked the Christmas music and headed off in search of the Tree of My Dreams. After the 4th farm we stopped at I decided there is no such thing as the Tree of my Dreams but... The Tree of my Budget instead. Who would have guessed chopping down your own tree in the Land O' Trees could be so pricey?!?

This was the 1st farm we stopped at but the trees were all too perfect so we left.

How hard could it be to chop down a Christmas tree... on my own with the two little tykes... Well lets just say it has been 2 1/2 days and the majority of the muscles in my body are still aching.

She loved running through the forest of trees yelling, "chase me Tucka... chase me".

I can't get over (and hopefully never will) the breathtaking, rustic beauty of Oregon!!! I have friends that ask me all the time, "When is the best time of year to come up to visit?" I say any time except for maybe January-March then we'll come visit you and take a break from all the rain.

Here were some of the sites along the way.

OK back to the story. We stopped at this hidden farm owned by a really old Scandinavian couple (I'm talking really old the owner was in his late 80's, 90's...he might have even been a100). With Tuck strapped into the pack on my back we hiked down the hillside to cut our tree. Finding the Perfect Tree was a cinch here. No matter how big or small every tree was $30. We found one and I started sawing away. I kept sawing, and sawing, and sweating, and sawing. After about 10 minutes I took Tuck off my back and wedged the pack into the muddy slope and called Chad. Completely out of breath I complained, "Why did I have to get this tree today, without you, I can't cut this, it's too hard, how did the pioneers do this, I need help....." .

Ten more minutes of sawing, kicking, pushing and a loud and large Crack Crack, Crack up the middle of the tree trunk the noble was on its side. I heard a, "good job mommy" from my little 3 ft cheerleader. Now I just had to drag the once 10 ft. now 8 1/2 foot tree and 2 toddlers back up the hillside and hoist (with the help of an ancient little Scandinavian) this awkward and incredibly sticky tree onto the top of our Cruiser. Note to self: Fun tradition, but next year don't leave home without Chad.

Luckily the farm owner hooked up his tractor and came to my rescue.
We loaded it into the back and he hauled us to the barn.

***Finishing touches***

Our little girl gets carsick. As we pulled into the driveway she groaned and then lost "it" all over her car seat.