Tis the Season

Between finishing up the most successful SV Turkey Trot in history, and dashing off to get a Christmas tree without snow, it's hard to narrow down the line between the Fall and Winter albums on the iPhoto end.  Whilst getting a Christmas tree falls into the latter, it usually is accompanied by snow.  Interestingly, the trip to the North Pole occurred prior to Thanksgiving and has resulted in our kids feeling that Christmas is a million years away, even though it is actually a much smaller gap between the two holidays than in prior years.  Although I did pack some hot cocoa into our tree hunting supplies, it was not nearly as appreciated as in years past.

While it may still feel like Fall, the temperature is dropping and we've managed to check a few things off of the holiday list.

1.  House is decorated
2. Tree has been "hunted", and trimmed
3. Enjoyed Christmas Vacation
4. Mailed out holiday cards
5.  Written letters to Santa
6.  Taken an excursion to the North Pole aboard the Polar Express
7.  In process of hanging outdoor exterior illumination as I type

The Polar Express was magical, fun, and entertaining.  Unfortunately, the destination consisted of the back of a Pear packing plant and lacked the usual luster accompanied by a traditional North Pole esque setting.  Luckily, Santa's beard was VERY real.  In fact, Santa managed to hit on Nene, not once, but TWICE during our return back to Mt. Hood.  Upon disembarking he even managed to pick her out of the crowd and call out to his "sweetie".  I'd like to say it was her good looks, but I think the red flannel nightgown and Santa hat may have had something to do with it too.

Santa asked the boys what they wanted and Miles asked for Lightning.  However, Carter managed to make us all sniffle when he asked for "his whole family".

This last weekend we met up with our family friends to hunt for a Christmas Tree.  I honestly did not understand why all of the boys insisted on packing Nerf Guns and plastic rifles.  Turns out they took the term "hunting" quite literally.  Well hunt we did.  No snow, but to a new location up Mt. Bolivar.  After a few swigs of hot cocoa, we headed back to a nice family meal.

This evening we continued our holiday indulgences by writing our letters to Santa.  Hopefully if I followed directions carefully, Santa will write both of them back with a postmarked letter.

In other news we are now the proud owners of five chickens.  Long story short, Carter couldn't let his buddy's move stand in the way of saving some chickens.  The good news is that we've already gotten four eggs out of the deal, but the bad news is that one of the chickens has been eating the eggs too.  I questioned this rationale, but Bradley's been studying Chickens for Dummies, quite feverishly.

Looks like it might be roast chicken for Christmas Dinner.  .  .