A Trip to Jone's Tree Farm in Poulsbo

I remember as a young girl my family had a tradition of going out into the woods and cutting down a Christmas Tree and I swear there were times when I froze like a popsicle (imagine the daughter in Christmas Vacation) and thought I was dying. It always took so long and my mom had to have just the right tree. I knew that when I was older I would never subject my children to that torture . . . . well, you know the saying 'never say never?'

This last Sunday afternoon we loaded the girls up in the truck, grabbing a few oranges for the quick trip we were about to make to get our tree (Mistake 1: not feeing them lunch and just grabbing a couple oranges. Mistake 2: thinking this would be a quick tripp.) We headed towards Sawdust Hill road to go to the tree farm that the girls and Robb went to last year. Our tree lasted so long last year that we thought going to the same place would perfect. (Mistake 3: assumption of perfection)

We arrive at the tree farm and have realized that we should probably leave Button (we were still dog sitting) in the back of the truck while we go to get the tree. My suggestion. I just couldn't imagine trying to wrangle the two girls, get a tree and all the while I am wanting to take some pictures. We only have so many hands, right?



The girls were quite distressed over the idea of leaving Button all alone. The were sure that she couldn't possibly survive on her own and that we should just bring her with us. One of the kids that was there at the farm (possibly a son of the owner) came up to us and told us we could take our dog with us if we wanted. Robb thought, that would be much easier, giving in to the girls, and so we did. (Mistake 4: not leaving dog in truck) And so off we go to catch a ride upon the horse drawn carriage that will take us out to the tree fields so that we can start looking for our perfect tree (perfect tree...am I starting to sound like my mom yet?).





All the way out to the middle of the tree farm we headed while the driver and the riders sang Christmas carols. The girls had a great time. Olyvia was enamored with the large horses that were pulling us and Ellie was intrigued by everything. Eventually we got up to what the driver told us was the top of the fields and he let us out. And so we began the hunt for the tree, with two small children and a dog.

An hour and a half later we finally came upon the right tree, after many fine candidates were eliminated.







We all enjoyed some cocoa before heading home to set up the tree.





It is funny how as children we claim that we are never going to inflict upon our children that which was inflicted upon us. Then as adults, we do just that. I know that the girls will take from this more than I could imagine. In years to come, when they have their own children, they will instill in them the same love of family that we have.