Our first Christmas together we got a $5 tree permit from the BLM and cut down a massive tree. It looked smaller in the wilderness. When we got it in our front room it took up half the space. It almost covered the TV. We had to sit on one end of the couch to watch movies. The next year we decided to just use an artificial tree that John and Misty had given us for a wedding present. The funny thing is that when we moved from Price to Cedar City we accidentally took Mom's tree. When we pulled it out of the box, it was pre-lite and a good looking tree. We did not even realize that we had the wrong tree until Mom told us that she could not find her tree and that she had ours. This year we went back to the $5 BLM permit and cut down another real tree. It is always fun to go up in the hills and search for a real tree; even if you get your truck stuck in the snow. One things about cutting down wild trees, compared to those trees found on Christmas tree lots, the branches and needles are thinner. There were not many trees to choose from. I thought about cutting down a bigger tree and only saving the top half. After only a half an hour or so, we found a good little six foot tree and cut it down. I
need to thank Skip for the use of his shovel. It was helpful in removing the snow from the bottom of the tree for easy cutting and it was helpful in getting our truck unstuck from the ice and snow. I would have to say, this is the smallest tree I have ever had. The trunk is really skinny too. I could pick it up with one hand. We got the tree home, up in our apartment and in the tree stand, but could not secure it. If we let go of the tree it would tip over. I even cranked the fasteners all the way down; half an inch into the tree trunk, but still it was loose and wobbly. I then went back to Dad's old, proven, last resort technique. I ran across the street and found some rocks. Placing the rocks in the bottom of the tree stand stabilized it perfectly. Jennifer got the tree all decorated and looking great. This tree serves a dual purpose. It is nice to look at and get us in the holiday mood and it serves as a baby-sitter. When Jennifer is doing things that require both hands, she can lay Seth on the floor near the tree and he will be content gazing at the lights. It is a shame we cannot have a tree up all year long.
