"The most endearing of Christmas symbols"...

If you have been following our blog for the past 4 years you are aware of our annual tradition of cutting down our Christmas Tree. Weston talked about it for years while we were in school as he watched his favorite Christmas flick, Christmas Vacation. Therefore, every year since graduation we have been (as Chevy Chase says) "loading up our rear wheel sleigh to embrace the winter majesty to pick out the most endearing of Christmas Symbols."

Every year Weston has had a just a "wee" bit of trouble cutting down the tree. One year the tree farm gave us a "weak saw" last year he had "pulled" a muscle in his shoulder. Well, this year we made double sure we got a great saw and when it came down to cutting the tree the darn thing kept binding up again! Hmmmm. ;D I was feeling the pressure that my sons really needed to see the tree get cut down so I was forced to take matters into my own hands! 

It was a little tougher than I thought BUT....

I prevailed! 

I have to toot my horn just a little bit. Weston..... he laughed..... but I know he was secretly just as proud as I was. ;D 

Since I cut down the tree, of course I made the boys haul in my kill. 

Trying to get both boys to smile at the same time didn't work all that well. They were both completely distracted by the surroundings....

Warren trying to assist me in my request. 

One out of about 50 pictures where Warren wasn't pulling a goofy face. 

Ben explored EVERYthing. It's times like these when I seriously consider moving out to the country. It really is tempting!

All loaded up now its time to play! 

Tire Rolling Directions: Get a tire and go to the top of the hill. Yell "tire rolling!" and chase your tire out into the woods until it hits a tree but watch out for the rivine! Good old fashioned fun. The boys could do this all day if we'd stay that long.

Our failed Christmas card picture. For some reason Sam's couldn't get this picture to print clearly. Go figure.  

It was very convenient the missionaries were coming over for dinner that night. I think Weston must have planned it! 

The next day the boys spent most of the day working on our exterior illumination. 

A first for Warren this year was his first viewing of Christmas Vacation. It was closely monitored and all "adult content" was skipped but he, as all the Hall men in the family, found much happiness in it. Having just got done helping dad with the lights that day he found it especially funny, belly laughing through the whole thing. This is a clip of the part when Clark is trying to rig up the lights and takes his frustrations out on santa and the reindeer. I have to admit, its pretty funny. I mean who doesn't occasionally snap and have at least one uncle eddie in their family? ;D 

(If you are receiving this via email you will not be able to see the videos here. You will need to click on the blue Halls Rock link below which will take you to our blog and you can view them there.)