The Tree is up (still)

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Originally uploaded by toby.

Well we're certainly on top of Christmas this year.
As previously promised, we trucked on out to Taylor Christmas Tree Farm at half past eight on Sunday morning. The stress levels started to rise as we realized that we were running late and that our Passat wagon just isn't up to our demands now that there are 4 of us. There's a minivan on the way as soon as we can afford it - my goal is Sept 06 when the mortgage gets renewed but anyway, I digress. Basically, the car is too small and its just very difficult to feed and entertain the little 'uns when there's not even enough space for us in the front with the giant child seats taking up a third of the car's length.
Apart from a couple of coffee spills and my realization that the windshield washers no longer work, the journey turned out to be a little better than anticipated. It took less than an hour and we only had to stop once for Emma who had still not been fed.
When we got there it was COLD - I threw Alex in the boot and started getting him layered up and my hands froze very quickly. The poor child was also chilly until I got the fourth layer and gloves, boots and hat(s) on. Another reason a minivan is coming - it would have been so much better if I could have done it without having to have a door open.
Zoran and Milena were waiting for us there and helped us to get organized, although Alex wasn't very keen on them helping him get dressed - little monkey. By the time we were ready to set off, the car park had gone from 6 cars to 30+ - good job we didn't leave it another hour! Ana was so worried that Emma would freeze solid that she said that they were staying in the car instead of coming with us. After a short "discussion" I managed to "persuade" her that things may be better than her vision or frostbitten children. The place was quite quaint with an open bonfire burning at the centre of a few barns with the smells of hundreds of pre-cut Christmas trees, hot chocolate and burning pine filling the air. Kids of all ages were excitedly queuing for their ride on the tractor or horse-pulled cart which would take them to the field of trees where they would find the perfect specimen to fill their living room with Christmas cheer.
As we queued, we read up on the benefits of each of the trees and decided that we liked the sounds of the Fraser Fir, given that it lasts a long time and has a great scent. The ride was short but fun as we sat on bales of straw on top of an open cart behind a big blue tractor. We were dropped off at the Fraser Fir field and proceeded to wander between the rows of trees, each being between 6 and 10 feet tall. As we walked, field mice dodged under our feet through sets of tunnels they had created under the snow-covered dead grass.
I decided that I now didn't like Fraser Firs because we had a hard time finding one that was perfect. I need a reality check sometimes but my idea of the perfect tree is one that's denser with longer branches - we later decided that a Balsam Fir would probably be chosen next year.
While I ran after Alex who had decided it might be more fun to break into an adjoining field, Zoran started to saw down the tree which he had originally found and which we all agreed was the pick of the field. We managed to get a couple of pics of the tree-sawing moment and then we grabbed Alex and started dragging the tree back to the place where the trator would pick us up again.
The boys walked back to the farm and left the ladies to take the tree back on top of the tractor, thinking that they would get back before us. Well we got back to see the horse-drawn cart loading its passengers so Alex had a chat with the horses and we took the photo op as we waited for the ladies to get back.
We sat by the fire and looked at the tree baling machine at work and waited some more. Then some more. Oh dear - it was a good 5-10 minutes later that they eventually arrived back - I had feared they would be frozen with Emma screaching her head off, but she was asleep and Ana was smiling - nice.
Zoki paid for the tree (Thanks again Zoki!!) and we got it baled while Emma was put into the pre-warmed car and Alex was fed and then walked I know it sounds like a dog, but you have to tire them out before a car journey!) I went back to take a look at the pre-cut trees as I was convinced that a Balsam Fir would look better in our living room, but gave up when I again couldn't find the perfect one.
I strapped our felled tree on to the roof of the car and off we went, spilling another cup of coffee on all my papers of course.
Once we got back we put the kids to bed and trimmed and erected the tree ready for decoration when they woke up. We spent the rest of the afternoon threading baubbles (sp?), singing and dancing to Queen on Live Aid and helping Ana dress the tree. She did a great job and I totally love the tree - it looks fabulous.
But if it starts to look crappy before the big day, I'll go out and buy a Balsam Fir and we'll have fun redecorating!