Riley and Avery

We went again to Pike National Forest to cut our Christmas tree. We went further into the forest this time. Funny thing is, we brought our snowshoes in preparation, but never used them. Rudi went to scout a little while I got the kids bundled up, and we kept thinking, we'll go just a little further and see if we can see any promising trees in the valley, then we'll go back to get our snowshoes. Just a little further, a little more, etc. We never went back for the snowshoes. I had Avery in a back-carry and fell on the ice once with her in it. Her response was "Hey, that messed up my hat!" We did find a nice tree, not too much different from last year's tree. Perhaps a touch better. But hey, it's a real forest tree. Riley was a real trooper, going up and down hills and through deep snow. Avery was not happy. She said, "I'm not lucky. I'm outside. I'm not lucky because I'm outside!" It was cute. She's not an outdooor kid at all.

Rudi was having a bout with his stomach, and I wound up dragging the tree out with Avery on my back most of the way. That was hard work, and I was sore for days. Didn't help that I was thrown off by my winter jacket and Avery's winter jacket and didn't get a good carry in the carrier. That put a huge strain on my back. That and dragging the tree uphill nearly killed me.

We did set up the tree the next day, totally violating my rule against putting the tree up before Avery's birthday. But Rudi set the tree in the stand that night, and try telling kids it's not time to decorate the tree when it's standing right there. Avery didn't mind, and it's her birthday afterall, so if she says decorate the tree, we will.

We stopped at Starbucks after ward and had a much-needed hot beverage. That was nice. Nothing like hot chocolate after hiking through the winter forestu