The tradition continues...

This year was our 14th year of cutting down our own tree in the mountains near our home.  Granted we are a bit further away than we have been in years past, but the thrill of hunting for that "just right" tree is always a thrill, and a tradition that Mr. Mann simply would not hear of letting go anytime soon.  Secretly, I long for the year that I can pull a tree out of the box, as well as, one that would fit into the space without consuming the home! Given that I won't be getting an artificial tree anytime soon,  I knew I wanted a slender tree this year.  Last years was simply too wide for the space. 

 Quinn leading the hunt this year!

It didn't take long for us to find "our" tree.  About a 5 minute hike and there it was.  Of course, I don't have a picture to show you it standing in all it's grandeur.  I put Mr. Mann on that photo duty and somehow it got "lost!"  Or so he says!

This was probably the fastest we've ever found a tree.  Usually we spend at least an hour hiking around and then we go back to what usually is the first tree we saw.  And of course, this all happens in freezing cold weather and in at least 6 inches of snow!  Of course, this year would have been a perfect day to hike in the hills to find that tree.  The temps were in the 50's, there wasn't a bit of snow.  Nature of the beast, I guess!

Now that the kids are older, we put them in charge of cutting duty!

 They did great!

 I just got to sit around and enjoy the day!  Much different than in years past.  Like when Mr. Mann tripped and fell on the camcorder (you know those huge movie makers from years past!) and got a black eye.  Or the year Caleb pee'd his pants--granted he was only 2.  Or the year that the snow was so deep Emaleigh couldn't even walk in the snow and everyone had to park on the side of the very narrow road making travel insanely crazy!  Oh the great memories we made!  (Would love to share photos of those days, but those all happened before I understood the concept of backing up your photos.  Can you say, bummer here?

 Love that he is getting so big he is carrying the tree now!

 The height is always deceiving when it is standing amongst the giants of the forest!

 Our two precious gifts of the season!

So after getting this beauty home, we had a change of plans.  We initially planned on putting in the living room area of our open concept home.  But then, we joked about putting it in the center of it all!

Well, it turned out not to be a joke at all.  Surprisingly, we all really liked the way it was the center of everything we do.  It reminded us of how we need to have Jesus as the center of all we do!  While, I was the one that needed the most convincing, I am also the one that is probably the most please with the way it sits in all its grandeur!

Wishing you and yours a holiday season filled with much love and gratitude for all you have been given.