"Caution: Beware of Christmas Tree Cutters"

No lie, that was the road sign we saw today as we drove into the Rockies armed with a few saws and the very same intent. In Christmas' past, I've only ever gotten trees from the stock piles at Home Depot or from the overpriced roadside lot, so when Aunt Wendy invited us up into the mountains to chop down our own, all I could conjure up were scenes from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Oddly enough, it wasn't that far off!

Here's how it works:  In Colorado you pay $10 for a permit, then you pack the SUV with tarps, kids, saws, and dogs (not necessarily in that order), drive up the mountains, and then hike off into the woods in search of your very own Griswold Christmas tree.

Word to the Wise:  Dress warm and bring an emergency bottle of alcohol for anyone starting to show signs of grumpiness.  Scott...

Take lots of photos with Christmas card potential, too. 

Then, it's off to find that magical sapling. Brandon and I like to pick the saddest looking tree we can find - a true Charlie Brown type, if you will - and this little guy marks the first of many ceremonious cuttings to come.

When all is said and done, you drive to the fundraiser buffet at the local fire department on your way out and stuff your face with chili dogs, hot chocolate, and pie while gawking at the monstrous trees strapped to the other cars. Thanks to Scott and his pickup, carrying our loot of 6 trees back home was easy peasy.

As for ours though...

We clamped it inside the Thule ski rack on top of our car. 

We're actually thinking of throwing some lights on it and calling it good.