O Christmas Tree

It's that time of year again when millions of families around the globe open their doors wide and anxiously welcome none other than a tree into their home. My husband and I joke every year as we strap a tree on top of our car, haul it off the car, cut the truck to "revive" it and lug it into our family room to be hoisted up and adorned with lights and bulbs, as if we are honoring it. I mean, isn't that as funny a tradition as we have? It's pretty comical to our family, but nevertheless, we do it because we love it. Now, some of you may be saying "Buy a fake tree. Then you don't have the hassle." Oh, but then, you see, I'd REALLY be laughing because for our family, it's not really the end product of HAVING a Christmas tree that's the magic. It's the selection process...the challenge of finding that perfect tree each year. And THAT, my friends, is why we continue to put a living plant the size of a car in our home each December.

This year, the experience was just as fun. Even our little baby, (22 months old) knew that something fun was going to happen. The older two had been waiting on pins and needles for Dad to come home. As soon as he did, and we shoveled down a meal, we piled on our coats, hats, gloves, and boots and climbed into the car. We started at Wal-Mart. Our oldest son immediately knew that this place would not do. "They are too short," he exclaimed. So, we piled back up and headed off down the road to look for another Christmas tree lot.

The second one was different in the fact that they were natural trees, not farm grown trees, so they weren't that perfect triangle shape that we are all accustomed to. The girls were happy with any tree really, and found quite a nice one. But our son was more picky. He would look over each tree held up for him, study it and eventually shake his head and say, "It's not the one." So, down the road we continued.

At the third place, we were greeted by a man dressed as Santa in full beard and Bermuda shorts. He handed each of us a candy cane. Well, as luck would have it, Nicholas immediately spotted "the one", to the delight of the rest of the family as we were frozen by now. After paying the man, loading it up on the car, and tying it down, we were headed home.

Now...we have had beautiful trees before. Honest! I don't think we've ever had a tree that I think, "Man, that's an ugly tree." And this year is no exception. And not only is our tree a beautiful tree, it is the BIGGEST tree we have ever had in our home. I don't think one can really tell how big it is until you see it, so...I included a picture.



Which brings us back to the beginning. Don't you find the tradition of a Christmas tree comical? HO HO HO.

Cars Movie Soundtrack (Sheryl Crow - Real Gone)

Racers...Start Your Engines!!!

Okay, so I am stilling kicking myself that this weekend, on my trip to Arizona with my wonderful husband, I forgot my camera at home, and now I have nothing to show people exactly how cool the trip was.

My husband sells insurance for a company, Allied, and they invited him and me down to the NASCAR race in Arizona that they were sponsoring, (the Nationwide series). So, we went, but I did have my doubts. My husband and I are not even close to racing fans. I've never watched as much as a race on tv. Plus, I really didn't know what type of crowd to expect. I mean, I have no tattoos, body piercings, (including my ears for that matter!) and I typically prefer not show my stomach in public settings. So, I thought we might stick out like a sore thumb. Nevertheless, we decided to go...

And boy, am I glad we did! NASCAR is an experience! Something everyone should go to once in your lifetime. Picture with me 43 cars racing around 180 mph all at once. It's MADNESS!!! And it really is just indescribable. You can't help but catch the "car fever" as you walk around the arena, watch the pit crews, see the fancied up cars, and hear the roar of the engines. If all that wasn't enough, my husband and I were given the rare opportunity to wave the official flag for the qualifying laps. Before each race, every car has to qualify for their spot by doing two laps at their top speed. Kyle and I, separately, got to wave the flag for the cars as they did their qualifying laps. Which again....CRAZY!!! Picture, if you will....(since I don't have a picture to show for it!!! ARRRGGG!!) standing up in a bucket area of sorts directly above the finish line of the track as a car speeds right underneath your feet at 130 mph! It was HOT, for lack of a better description. It really sends chills down your back to watch.

All and all, NASCAR was awesome! The remainder of Kyle and my trip was absolute heaven! We lounged by the pools, actually slept in until 9:00!!! It was GREAT!! Thanks grandma and pa for watching the kiddos and thanks Babe for being my everything.

(Because I didn't have my camera, I posted the next best thing for ya....a clip from CARS the movie. ha ha)