Goin' oN a TRee HUNt

while living in colorado,
we usually cut our own tree down
outside of winter park.
this year we found our tree virginia-style.
at james monroe's 3500-acre estate, ash-lawn highlands,
you're allowed to hike in and cut down your own tree.
so armed with a saw, a toddler, and an infant,
we drove the fifteen minutes with the usual
family combo of enthusiasm and poor-planning,
and hiked and scouted this year's Jehle Christmas Tree.
there were a couple of hitches-
we didn't realize how much walking would be involved,
and forgot the hiking backpack to carry hutch
(find the picture of him bawling),
and his need to be held made for a couple of
safety hazards in the actual cutting of the tree.
however, it was the first beautiful day
we've had in weeks, and it was great to be outside.
just making commonwealth memories, people.