Traditions go on

Last weekend we continued our annual tradition of visiting the tree farm and chopping down the Christmas tree (actually "sawing" down if you want to get specific). As before, we went to Hidden Pond Tree Farm in Mendham. It's about 45 minutes from our house and is always a fun family outing. Unfortunately this year we left later in the morning than usual, and it was so busy already by noon that we had to wait in our car in line for an hour before we could even go park in their parking lot. But luckily that was the result of crowd management, so once we had our turn there it wasn't crazy and overrun with people. And we'd had the foresight to have the kids bring their electronic games to pass the time, but they actually had more fun climbing into the very back of the car and playing house until our turn came.



The tree farm offers free marshmallows for roasting and free hot chocolate and coffee (usually very much needed - you can see by our gear that it was definitely a New Jersey winter day). There are a couple stations set up for the marshmallows - this one is near the field where we cut the tree down.


Alex giving a scowl to Jim for interrupting his eating of the marshmallow.


Grace likes her marshmallows like her mama does - burned to a crisp!


As seen by the expression on their faces, sibling friendship and goodwill always seems to come out on this trip.


Jim celebrates the conquering of the Christmas tree. And will probably hate that I posted this picture here.


Apparently one of the most fun things to do out there is play some game you make up that involves running through the trees.


Grace and Alex posing as a "Christmas tree". I think Grace's scarf was the decorations.


For as much as a pain the needles falling off the live tree are every year, this couple of hours makes it all worthwhile.