tree hunting {our Christmas tree 2013}
This weekend we descended on the Christmas tree farm in search of the perfect tree. Not really the perfect tree. We were looking more for a tree like an oversized version of Charlie Brown’s. One that we can hide all the holes with homemade ornaments. It works for us.
I really think the kids go along just to for the poles they find on the ground. They spend 97% of their time playing chase with sticks. Don’t they know they could poke an eye out? 
There are guys available to ‘chop’ down the trees, but I won’t go for that. I need pictures of my family cutting the tree not some random high school boy. You can tell how patient Chris is in these pictures; all the kids like to take turns sawing on the trunk. He is such a phenomenal dad. The random teenage boy was on the other side holding the tree so it didn’t fall on anyone.
This year the older boys wanted to carry the tree. It was weird and awesome at the same time.
We always take a family picture in front of our tree. It is the only picture we repeat every year. I’ve thought about the years to come – the years that maybe not all my kids will be home to go pick out our tree. Hopefully, there will be years with in-laws and grandkids. Lots and lots of grandkids to descend on the tree farm!
After the attempt at getting a ‘smiling’ shot…the crazies broke loose. My 7 year old blondie – that kid can make some faces. He is always making us laugh.
These were supposed to be our ‘sad’ faces. I have no idea what Chris is doing. That must be the face a sad dancing chicken makes. 
Chris snapped this next one with a phone…the side of our tree hunting I usually don’t have pictures of…
“PLEASE just look at me normal and smile. PLEASE. Just one time.”
And then my 7 year old decided to bite his boot. This is why he has such a great immune system. 
Next, the kids took turns with my camera taking pictures and telling us how to pose.
I love this next picture. My seven year old had the camera. He wanted us to look at him and smile. Chris is totally focused on the camera, while I am watching my kids doing who knows what. I never see myself make this face, but I guarantee I make it a lot. It is usually followed by, “Aaahhh….be careful! You might poke your eye out with that stick!”
Just a reminder that registration for the SnapShop: DSLR opens today at 8:00am US Central. The SnapShop: Phone course is already open for registration. Both courses begin on January 5, 2014. For those new to my blog, SnapShops are my online photography workshops. In a very brief summary, the DSLR version goes over composition, storytelling and how to shoot using your manual settings. The Phone version covers all the same composition and storytelling components, plus additional things regarding phone cameras. The Phone course is designed for those that don’t have a dslr but want to learn fundamental ways to improve their photography regardless of the camera they are using. It is also for those whose photography knowledge is limited to just holding up their phone and clicking the round button to take a photo!
You can find more information about both courses and register for either course on the SnapShop Workshop website.
