annual tree hunt

As always seems to happen during the holidays, we had a busy December around here.  It started out with a sledding adventure and snow hike for our annual christmas tree hunt.  We went up to Snoqualmie pass again to find our (not so) perfect tree.  On our first trip up we forgot our tree permit, so instead we spent the afternoon sledding with our friends Phil and Audra.  Josephine totally loved it and kept insisting we go higher and higher up the hill.  She went on both a straight and disc sled...definitely a testament to her adventurous spirit and good balance to stay on them both.

The next weekend we headed back out with permit in hand to get our tree.  I carried Josephine (and 18-week old fetus, mind you) on about an hour snowshoe hike.  It felt really good to get my legs working and breathe some fresh mountain air.  Josephine was pretty happy for most of the hike and she got to mess around in the snow a bit when we finally found our tree.  It was the most gorgeous tree we've ever found in the woods.  Playing in the snow didn't last long though until she started to have a melt down.  Hence, we only got this one picture.

 I decided to head down the hill with Josephine while Matt wrangled the tree down the hill.  We got back to the truck to warm up and waited...and waited...and waited.  Finally I was getting worried so I asked Josephine if she wanted to go back up the hill.  She responded with a firm "no".  So I rephrased and asked if she wanted to go find daddy.  Again, a resounding "no".  I told her, "ok, but I'm telling daddy you said so."  Thankfully Matt showed up shortly after and we headed home, all warm up and tired.

I'm really hoping we will be able to keep up this tradition next year, although it will certainly be more challenging with a 2.5 yr old and a baby.   It's become one of my favorite things about the holiday season and an experience only the Northwest can provide.  I'm happy to be passing it on and I can't wait until the kids can help us carry out the tree.