Sunday, December 18, 2022

Snapshots: The Annual Tree Expedition

We have once again braved the wilds of the New Mexico range to cut our Christmas tree. Come along for the fun . . .

First we stopped to see this abandoned adobe house on the neighbors' property. 



It's owned by our post office lady, and she told us we should go see it. So we did.


It was only about 10 a.m., and the children were delighted to find that the dirt tank near the adobe house was still frozen enough to skate on around the edges. Their cowboy boots were excellent skates.


Jasper elected to stay off the ice and monitor their activities with me from a distance.


The road to the tree area.

I left A. and the children playing at yet another dirt tank and wandered over whatever the Western equivalent is to hill and dale, searching for a good tree.

Actually the western equivalent to hill and dale is cacti and rocks. It's a bit tricky looking for a tree while still watching my feet. I found one, though!


Destined for our living room.


The view standing next to the tree.

A. performed his annual tree-cutting duty.


With Jasper's enthusiastic assistance, of course.

And away we went with our (soon-to-be) festive tree.


A. got it in the stand, and I put the lights on, but the kids put on all the ornaments.


The star is also A.'s job, because he doesn't need to stand on a chair to get it on top.


Enjoying the fruits of their labors.

There you have it! Our Christmas tree, snapshotted.

P.S.: Today is Jack's 8th birthday. Yay!

7 comments:

Kit said...

Happy birthday Jack, and may you have many more!

Gemma's person said...

Happy Birthday Jack. I always enjoy going with you on the tree search,very interesting trip. Look at that sunshine.You always find something interesting to shoot.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Jack. Your tree looks beautiful!
Linda

Mei said...

Happy birthday, Jack!

I remain content allowing a decorator to fetch, decorate, and dispose of my tree. Perhaps when we return stateside that will change.

Karen. said...

Yay, tree! Yay, birthday!

Melissa said...

I just love your tree! We're so hoping to be stationed somewhere next year where we can cut our own tree. Having a fake tree (for us) simply feels a little, well, fake. Also, the beauty of NM is next level!

Kristin @ Going Country said...

G.P.: There are always lots of interesting things to choose from. :-)

Mei: I have never heard of decorators doing that. Is it common in the U.S., too, or mostly in Japan?

Melissa: Thanks! The NM landscape suits me in a way that NY never did. And with the insane light here, it's almost impossible to take a bad photo. (Good thing, because I am not a skilled photographer.)