For the second year in a row we drove to Idaho City and cut down our Christmas tree, making the event an official holiday tradition!

Last December I wrote about two separate activities I hoped would become Christmas traditions: cutting down our own tree and a Christmas book advent calendar countdown. Alas, I don't think the books are going to stick. It was just too much effort and money to wrap 24 books, plus trade out the books I didn't care for and actually build a collection of 24 books - I think we have 19.

But the Christmas tree trek prevailed and boy, is that tree a thing of beauty!

It rained the entire time we were searching for a tree. It rained hard. There were flash flood warnings for Idaho City that day. But we didn't let that stop us, although the downpour did quicken our pace.





On our way home, we stopped by the same restaurant for lunch as we did last year, Trudy's. It's a great place. I had the chicken strip basket. Everyone else stops there too and the parking lot is lined with cars and trucks each hauling at least one tree. It's a sight. It makes us feel good about our new tradition.

This year we had the genius idea of cutting a tree at the maximum height - 12 feet - and using the extra branches to make wreathes and decorate the mantel. This genius idea probably saved us at least $50, if you don't count the gas to and from Idaho City - which I don't. Our ceilings are 8 feet high and we ended up with about 4 extra feet to decorate with.



I am super, super pleased with my new found wreath building talents. Like way too proud of myself. I made a second wreath for the back door but the photos didn't turn out. You can trust that it's just as awesome - like the rest of our decorations!



It was Wyatt's turn to place the star on top of the tree. And this year I let Henry and Wyatt decorate the tree all by themselves. I actually do this every year and then rearrange all the ornaments once they're in bed. And that's what I didn't do this year. I just left the tree alone and it looks pretty sharp. And I feel good about my ability to let go of perfection this year. Life's too short, you know.



We're all set for Christmas now. This year we're trying the four-gift approach that's all over the Internet. I'm sure you've heard of it. One gift you want, one you need, one to wear, and one to read. I actually came across this idea last year but we'd already placed our presents under the tree. I share that because I really just want you to know that I was ahead of the trend.

Anyway, that's our plan. I think it's a splendid idea. I think we (the collective we) get too caught up in wanting stuff we don't need. Stephen and I are also making most of our gifts and we've set a budget that we're sticking to. I am very excited about the whole thing. It just feels good to change you're perspective a little. Not that my perspective was so far off from what I've just described - but it's a bit more dialed in now. Or something. Whatever. I'll let you know how to goes!