The kids picked the Christmas tree, though they had to be disabused of the notion that it could be 20 feet tall, 15 feet wide, or just a seedling.

They cut the tree down, though some needed a little help getting the saw moving. (Oh relax, it wasn't a chainsaw.)

They carried the tree to the car, though they needed a little direction since they mostly couldn't see where they were going.

And they paid for the tree, though really we paid for it because although we're all about independence and self-sufficiency that's just not nice.

All in all, it was a remarkably relaxing and fun outing and it didn't even rain this year.

Super bonus: We stopped at the ranger station on the way home and bought a permit to cut down a tree in the forest. (Why do we need two trees? Um... why not?)