Every year when I was little, to officially mark the start of Christmas, we'd drive up into the Santa Cruz mountains and cut down our tree. We'd spend hours roaming through the tree farm trying to find the perfect shape to appease our whole family. Dad would get the saw going and cut it down and we'd tie it to our roof or throw it in the truck, drive home (sometimes stopping for Christmas goodies), and poor dad would spend the afternoon trimming, shaving, cleaning, and setting up the tree for us all to hang our ornaments where we saw fit. Since Tristan and I are out of the house this tradition hasn't really included the entire family anymore but it was great to be home for this years trip! (Poor Emma even had to go to Home Depot one year... gasp!!!!) So, Happy Holidays - here's to hoping whatever you celebrate it's a good one!

Uncle Tim and Dad ready for battle, Emma and her Keds.