This last weekend we went Christmas tree "chopping"/hunting with the Emily's parents. "Chopping" because we didn't actually chop the tree down much to my dislike. I even inherited an axe from Emily's Grandpa Roper (at my request) just for this sort of occascion. Anyway I did get to use my brand new bow saw I got from the Ropers for my birthday so I guess it wasn't all bad that we sawed the tree down. Although it just doesn't have the same impact as actually chopping down the tree and cleaning up the cut with the bow saw.
This was also Zach's first Christmas tree chopping excursion. Last year he was just to little to be out in that much snow, plus we are pretty sure no one would have survived the car ride. As you can see this year Zach was prepared for the snow in some new winter clothes. He hitched a ride with Em while we were hunting for a tree. The Ropers have been known to wander for hours looking for the perfect tree but in the last year or so I've been planting little bits of Smith practicality, like let's hike uphill so we can drag the tree downhill! Of course this year we ended up dragging the tree uphill to the car.
Zach was a little timid at first. But he got the idea after Ray did a few snow angles. He didn't mind being in the backpack while we tromped through the deep snow. Em, Barb and I all had snow shoes on, they weren't essential but if you've got 'em you might as well use them!
After we had bagged our tree we let Zach play in the snow on the road where walking is a bit easier. He loves to wander off on his own and explore new things.
Zach just being cute and Em always has the camera at the ready.
No trip is complete with out Zach up on my shoulders, at least until he gets a bit bigger.
Em had to carry Zach, not because I'm soft and out of shape but because I had to drag the tree out. Luckly trees in Colorado are tall and skinny and pentiful, so the forest service doesn't get too mad if you top the tree so long as you scatter the rest of the tree. Barb end up carring our tree out so I could help Ray drag out the Ropers' 18 footer! We carried more than we needed because we left the tape measurer back at the car. (rookie mistake)
Zach loved sliding down the snow burm on the side of the road. We will have to take him out sledding soon. (we also forgot the sled, another rookie mistake)
He still had fun until he didn't want to wear his mittens anymore. 
We ended the day with a little High Five practice for a job well done.
10 comments:
Yay!
1- FINALLY. I was starting to feel like a stalker, checkin in daily with no reward. ; )
2- CUTE! Now you just need to take pictures of you and Zach laying under the tree, smooshing your eyes around so the lights look funny....
Hooray for pictures! Peter and I were starting to get desperate. This is just the surprise Jay and Peter will need to refresh them during finals. Thanks Butch and Em!
I am so impressed with Zach. That looks BRRRRRRRR. Too cold for Rosie.
you should send some of the pictures to Patigonia!
Seriously what the heck!!! Why is your family the cutest thing I have ever seen! And also, could you please give us some of that snow, because it is nothin but warm here.
Get out of here Ingonan! Was it really cold there? It's hard to tell, because Zach seems to always have rosy cheeks.
Alycia's idea is a really good one, Em.... hint, hint.
Ahh, this looks like so much fun! I don't miss the cold so much, but I do miss snowy winters...if only there was a way to have both :) I'm so glad you have a REAL tree, those fake ones are just a little painful (must be because of my background, haha)
Pete-o, it actually wasn't too cold that day. We were really lucky and got a "warm" one.
whoa, that's what real snow looks like?. . I forgot. It's still summer here. Brodie, you couldn't handle the 18' by yourself? You must be getting old.
What's this about the Ropers wandering for hours looking for the perfect tree? We would NEVER do that!
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