The Bullard Christmas tree farm trip most always began the same - current family vehicle loaded down with us five: Dad (Rod), Mom (Rhonda), me (Ashley), middle brother (Cade), baby brother (Chase). Once crammed into the car, Rod and Rhonda would kick-off the caroling, I'm pretty sure with "Over the River and Through the Woods". True to form, at least one of us kids was against the world, or feeling just the opposite. Wishing ourselves adopted by some other family, who didn't torture their children in such ways as caroling and traveling millions of miles all the way to Gilmer, to saw down our Christmas tree. So at least one mad kid, with the remaining two belting out those carols with the hopes of further infuriating the mad one. :/
Once at the Tree Farm, we would pile out of the family vehicle and onto the hay bale-lined trailer, on which we would grab at the available hand saws, and fight over them, arguing who was going to get to saw the tree down that year. As Mr. Youngblood drove us out into the middle of the tree field, and we barely escaped limb and extremity loss - then the fun began. We would race all over that field, darting in and out of the rows of tress, shouting "This one! I've found it!" "No this one, it's PERFECT!" Much to our dismay, no matter which tree we thought was most amazing, Rhonda would have the final say. There was the checklist: Perfect, full shape; not too tall, no holes, straight trunk."
After about two to three years of hearing us complain about how she ALWAYS got to pick the tree, and once she realized just how many homemade ornaments we were going to bring home each year of grade school (I believe I was in the 2nd grade when this began) - we started another new tradition - the KIDS TREE! Now we got to pick out our own tree!! AND we got to put our stringed popcorn, and all of those homemade, clothespin reindeer, Styrofoam cup angels, and coffee filter snowflakes - all over it! Everyone was happy! Well at least 3 out of 5 usually.
So back to the farm. After body-tackling each other to the ground over who got the SAW, and successfully felling the trees, we'd wait for the tractor to come back and get us. They'd shake and wrap the tree, and then we'd giggle as Dad fought to tie those trees down to the top of the suburban or van. On the way home we'd stop at eat the Lock Stock and Barrel Saloon for burgers! Once they went out of business, the tradition became La Finca - best hamburger at a Mexican food restaurant! Mmmm!
Then we would carol all the way home. Or maybe do a Chinese Fire Drill. Or play a game where we tried to get people in the cars next to us to look over at us. Or there was the one year that Cade was so mad at us - he had tried to run away at the tree farm (off into the trees), but we found him, and as we were Decking the Halls, we heard Cade mumble something. "What was that Cader?" "Tree's gone," he replied nonchalantly. And YES, the tree was GONE folks. That was a special year. We rode in the bench seat Ford from Wholesale Supply (all five of us), and the wind just up and scooped that tree right out of the bed! We all turned to look, and sure enough, there was the tree hopping and bouncing down the rode behind us. Oh the memories!
Once in the driveway, the tradition always took a turn for the...well, it started an uphill climb we'll say - for Dad anyway. For us kids, it was like a treacherous bridge you see on Indiana Jones movies - where the wooden planks are missing and you aren't sure if you'll make it across. We always prayed the neighbors weren't home when we got back with our tree, because after we unloaded our beloved fresh-cut trees, and cut the mesh off of them, the battle began. The battle between Rod, the tree, and the tree stand. It NEVER went in without a hitch. It was war, and it was never pretty. We would try to stay inside and untangle lights and check for bad bulbs, while Dad had it out with the ole tree stand. Every now and then Mom would go out to check the progress, especially once she heard the chainsaw crank up. I won't share those conversations here in such a public place, but I'm sure your imagination won't fail you. :)
It was our tradition! It was fun and exciting, embarrassing and tortuous - depending on the kid and the year, but nonetheless we made memories! And we are carrying on the tradition. My little family has been cutting our tree down at Danville farms ever since our sweet Dylan came into the world. We haven't missed a year at Danville (in the past 8 years), with exception to last year when Philip and the kids came home from a trek in the woods with two serious, for real Charlie Brown Christmas trees. My brothers and their brides cut their trees down as well. And THIS year we had a very special treat.
Today, we ALL went to the Tree Farm together. What a sight it was. All of us traipsing over the field, searching for the right tree. Laughing about the memories from days gone by, and thankful we all lived through those wonderful times. I pray my kids carry this tradition on with them. And I am thankful for my parents, and that making traditions, and having fun as family, was a priority. It's what we did. We made memories that have lasted and will continue to last us a lifetime! Merry Christmas!
