I'm dreaming of a wet Christmas...

So we survived our first flood. Although our landlords just called it "high water". According to the weather service it was considered "major flooding". Either way we got thru it. It was a good learning experience. We learned to get out earlier than we would have thought. We missed our opportunity to leave. Good thing it wasn't a stage4 flood, we would have had to spend the last couple of days up stairs! We got to see what was happening at which stagees of the river, and we have had good family time.





From this last pic, I'll tell you that the river is normally about10' lower. On the right-hand side is where our fire pit normally would be seen.
Anyhow Christmas is under way and it is fun to watch the kids be so excited about it. They spend hours playing 'elfs'. They run around in their little elf hats and pretend that we can't see them. Here is our Christmas tree right after we got done decorating it.
Merry Christmas everyone!

White Friday -Christmas tradition

Christmas season is upon us and we are so excited! This is my favorite time of year. Before I get started I would like to thank all those who have sponsored Henry's bike project, it is much appreciated. It's not too late to join in, as we still could use a sponsor for the paint. (See Post Below)
One of my most favorite traditions is Christmas tree hunting. I think that I would like to rename it White Friday though, as a contrast to the oh-so-popular Black Friday (It's called Black Friday because it is a stain on the Christmas season)
Anyway, the day after Thanksgiving, we all load up and head out into the mountains above Leavenworth,WA to find The Perfect Tree. It is an all-day event, with mom bringing a picnic complete with Champagne glasses for our ginger ale. Usual it is so much fun, but this year was spectacular. The weather was amazing, the surroundings were beautiful, and I had such a great time. I found some time by myself as I was hunting and I laid back in the snow, and let eh sun warm my face. I felt so at peace. I almost felt as if I was a child curled up with my mother. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes (one that incidentally my company was founded on) "Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountain is going home; that wildness is necessity".
Anyhow, I digress. So it was a fun day. We had a great time, and found the perfect tree. Check out the photos and I'll write more at the bottom.

It was that pretty!




cousins




Wow! Huh?!


(Isn't she a cutie?)

So that is what it all looked like.
Tree permits are only $5 from the USFS, for any tree under 12foot. Although you do have to add in $ for gas, It is a wonderful and inexpensive family tradition that beats fighting off mean crowds in a Mega-mart just to get a good deal on some cheap junk that you probably don't need anyhow. Take your children to the mountains, let them feel the peace and beauty that is there.

Anyhow, Merry Christmas to all.