The Hunt

It all started with the "6" of us piled in the mini van all bundled up in search of the "perfect" Christmas tree. It was 33 degrees outside and very frosty!!! I thought that since we lived so close to the mountains that it wouldn't be hard to find a u-cut tree farm. Boy was I wrong.

I started the day before looking online for tree farms and found there to be a select few in our area. I took down the addresses and put them in my GPS system. Yes, I have a GPS in my van...when you live where we do, there is no other option. Needless to say, if we didn't have it we would have gotten lost!!!

So we went to the first of three. And what do you know...they are SOLD OUT. How can that be when it was only December 8th? So on to the next one. I am not sure the name of the second tree farm, but I will affectionately call it "The Charlie Brown Tree Farm". We didn't find a tree bigger than Sydney, nor were they full. At this point we have two tired ones and a cranky mom, so I decide to head out on my own at nap time.

I drive 30 minutes and came to a big farm that has a ton of trees and hot cider too. Now they weren't all big and full, but they had a better selection. As I am searching I call my mom threatening to buy a fake tree at Costco. (I may just do it Kelly!!) And right then I see it. The one. It may not be like the White House tree (pictured here) and it may need a little grooming at home, but it was the best one yet. It is now up and decorated to the best of my ability since my mom isn't here to help me. Gosh I liked having my mom so close.

Anyway, I have realized that there are nice trees here...but Oregon has the BEST Christmas trees in the world. So for all my Oregon friends....enjoy your tree, because next year I am coming down to get my tree!!!!

She did it again!!!

Well my friend Christine ran another marathon. Yes, she chose to run 26.2 miles in one day. This time it was the Seattle Marathon. As I was driving her into the city (at 7am) I kept looking at her and asking the same question over and over again..."Are you sure you want to do this again?" And every time she said "Absolutely". It was crazy to see people jogging to the starting line. I am not sure if they were warming up, or just crazy.

So I decided to go to the finish line 45 minutes ahead of when she was to cross the line. I watched people cross the line who either ran the marathon or walked. The walkers started 1 1/2 hours earlier. Some of the ladies that walked the marathon were so excited once they crossed. The tears of joy and accomplishment just poured out of them. So as I sit soaking up all the emotions...Christine stood in front of me saying, "Hello....I am done!!!" I couldn't believe it...she finished 13 minutes faster than her Portland time. I was shocked and mad too. I wasn't able to get the great pictures of her crossing the finish line...but I was able to snap a couple afterwards.

So congrats Christine on a great finish...being able to shed 13 minutes off a marathon time is HUGE!!! A job well done...I am proud of you!!!! No I still don't have the Marathon Bug!!!