Every year for the past 14 years (maybe more) we have trekked down to Centralia for our Christmas tree--except maybe one year when Oma and Opa were sick. We have gone to a tree farm and trooped up and down and around the field until we have found just the right tree. We have actual audio and video evidence of Oma's yearly admonition to "Be sure to cut it close to the ground" so we get the full tree (it's true--it happened every year). For a special photo album that the Chandler brothers (well their wives anyway) made for Oma & Opa one year, my contribution was two pages worth of Christmas Tree trek photos and memories. Some years we were joined by Chandler brothers and family, but most years it has just been us and Oma and Opa. We would get their tree and our tree on a Saturday morning. We would stay in Centralia Saturday night and help them decorate. Then we would come home Sunday and decorate ours that night. Even after Oma & Opa moved to Seattle three years ago, we have continued to go to Centralia. We would drive to Centralia, get our trees, have lunch at the famous Oly Club in downtown Centralia and come back to Seattle to decorate Oma & Opa's tree. Until this year. It wasn't because of the flooding, although that may have affected us had we chosen to go down there. It was soccer tournaments, busy schedules, the cost of gas, the time....we just couldn't do. So instead, we trekked down the road a few blocks to the Boy Scout tree lot next to the local Catholic church, which was the same place we went the year they were sick. We wandered around the parking lot until we found the perfect tree--or a least the best one available. Of course it was much more expensive tree than we usually get being a "city tree", but when you figure in the cost of gas and lunch in Centralia the other way it was pretty much a wash. We still helped Oma & Opa decorate their tree and then actually did ours the same evening. Oma even made chalupa for dinner which is one of our favorites. Many of you have probably been the recipient of my annual Christmas newsletter and photo of the boys. The photo comes from our Christmas tree quest. I did take pictures of the boys this year but it wasn't quite the same. We did have a snowstorm that day so it made it a bit more festive. I am so not into the season this year that I may not even get my letter out. So I share this picture with you 1) because I think it is funny and 2) it still represents the season and memories of the season. Who knows if we will ever make it to Centralia for a tree in the future (Oma is threatening to buy a fake tree). The main point is that we have many wonderful memories of Christmas tree quests that we will share forever. It will be something that will always be talked about. "Remember the year when..." So in the end, I am thankful to have so many wonderful memories of the quest for the tree!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
The Quest for the "Tree"
Every year for the past 14 years (maybe more) we have trekked down to Centralia for our Christmas tree--except maybe one year when Oma and Opa were sick. We have gone to a tree farm and trooped up and down and around the field until we have found just the right tree. We have actual audio and video evidence of Oma's yearly admonition to "Be sure to cut it close to the ground" so we get the full tree (it's true--it happened every year). For a special photo album that the Chandler brothers (well their wives anyway) made for Oma & Opa one year, my contribution was two pages worth of Christmas Tree trek photos and memories. Some years we were joined by Chandler brothers and family, but most years it has just been us and Oma and Opa. We would get their tree and our tree on a Saturday morning. We would stay in Centralia Saturday night and help them decorate. Then we would come home Sunday and decorate ours that night. Even after Oma & Opa moved to Seattle three years ago, we have continued to go to Centralia. We would drive to Centralia, get our trees, have lunch at the famous Oly Club in downtown Centralia and come back to Seattle to decorate Oma & Opa's tree. Until this year. It wasn't because of the flooding, although that may have affected us had we chosen to go down there. It was soccer tournaments, busy schedules, the cost of gas, the time....we just couldn't do. So instead, we trekked down the road a few blocks to the Boy Scout tree lot next to the local Catholic church, which was the same place we went the year they were sick. We wandered around the parking lot until we found the perfect tree--or a least the best one available. Of course it was much more expensive tree than we usually get being a "city tree", but when you figure in the cost of gas and lunch in Centralia the other way it was pretty much a wash. We still helped Oma & Opa decorate their tree and then actually did ours the same evening. Oma even made chalupa for dinner which is one of our favorites. Many of you have probably been the recipient of my annual Christmas newsletter and photo of the boys. The photo comes from our Christmas tree quest. I did take pictures of the boys this year but it wasn't quite the same. We did have a snowstorm that day so it made it a bit more festive. I am so not into the season this year that I may not even get my letter out. So I share this picture with you 1) because I think it is funny and 2) it still represents the season and memories of the season. Who knows if we will ever make it to Centralia for a tree in the future (Oma is threatening to buy a fake tree). The main point is that we have many wonderful memories of Christmas tree quests that we will share forever. It will be something that will always be talked about. "Remember the year when..." So in the end, I am thankful to have so many wonderful memories of the quest for the tree!
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2 comments:
That is one classic pose you have the boys in. I'm guessing they were either showing surprise at the beautiful tree, or in Tuckers case, pondering his unique hair.
your tree memories sound great. I can't even remember the last time I was involved in picking out tree. Must be highschool.
Thanks for sharing
That is great that your card picture is of you all hunting down trees. What a great tradition and memory you make every year. My parents still go out and pick out a tree on the mountain and cut it down (they also plant trees during the year too...) It has been a long time since I did that though. I am rather fond of my 3 foot charlie brown fake tree. No tree smell but no tree mess either...it's a toss up.
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