We look forward to this same weekend every year.
The first weekend following Thanksgiving is when we cut down our Christmas tree and sample all that beautiful, scenic Hunterdon County, New Jersey has to offer. We've done it every year since we moved out here. Last year was an eventful one which you can read about here if you are so inclined. No such drama this year.
Rosemont Tree Farm has always been our tree farm of choice and this year was no different. The selection of trees is overwhelming and the kids can get lost within minutes. Here they are before running off in different directions:
We finally identified our tree and were ready to take her home:
And guess who kicked some major booty and cut her down?:
Hours later the tree was defeated and victory was mine (Note how over the whole thing my daughter is):
Beautiful tree with needles like knives. Guess who forgot gloves and still has bloodied fingers? This tough guy, who is hiding it well as this photo was taken:
The tree was stuffed in the car and we headed out to lunch down on the Delaware River. It was an exceptionally warm and sunny day and a great time to be outside:
This year, we hit up the Frenchtown Cafe, a local favorite. This place is always on the money. Click on the photo below and you can read all of the positive reviews that have been posted. Lines wind out the door on weekend mornings but it is worth the wait:
Did it all end there? Hell no. That night, we made it out to the town tree lighting and even brought our ageless 12 year old dog, Casey, who I'm pretty sure made at least 50 people smile. She has that way about her:
Santa arrived dramatically via firetruck and my son reluctantly posed with him after making sure none of his classmates were around. My daughter, on the other hand, ate it all up:
It was the perfect weekend that felt like it was right out of a Lifetime movie ... without the murder or sordid affairs. Good times indeed:
John












Cute kids and a lovely tradition.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky you are to be able to go and select your own tree and have that spectacular pine smell throughout the house!! Here in Sydney we are lucky if our tree lasts more than a few days before it wilts....so envious!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely post John! Thank you for sharing. I loved the photo's of you cutting down the tree.. You're such a "Sap". LOL! What kind of tree did you get with needles like knives, a Doug Fir? They have the pointest needles of them all! We're cutting our tree down this year too at a local tree farm here in Alexandria! Nice tradition. Oh, and yes, the Frenchtown Cafe is definitely worth the wait! Have a good holiday! - Leslie
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was a wonderful day. When our girls were little we did the same sort of venture, now that they are grown, its just pull out the artificial one and deck it out. Enjoy this phase in life, it passes way too quickly.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great day, thanks for taking us along. :)
ReplyDeleteI could have made a thousand Clark Griswold references, but I held back.
ReplyDeleteYou're awesome, by the way.
Good times in New Jersey...Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWhy have you cut off your daughter's hand and surgically replaced it with a candy cane hook?
ReplyDelete