Our "Fist Christmas Tree Together" Adventure

So, my MUST for the holiday season is a fresh REAL tree. This, for anyone who knows me well, knows is by far my favorite part of Christmas. The smell of a real evergreen tree truly can't be beat! This year was no exception, and though I am far from home, a Christmas tree is a Christmas tree no matter where you are. Sam has gotten used to the convenience of a artificial tree but, this is one area to which I hold my ground. So he lovingly conceded but, not without setting a few ground rules, we were to buy the tree from a Christmas tree farm he and his family went to every year when he was growing up. I happily agreed to his terms and this weekend we went on a Christmas tree hunting adventure. It had just snowed the day before so all the trees were covered in a layer of fluffy white powder, it was magic. It didn't take us long to identify our tree...because when you know, you know! So, presented below you will see our first ever Christmas tree hunting adventure.

A forest full of trees...let the Christmas tree hunt begin!

 

Look, we found our very first Christmas tree!

Cutting down our tree. He's so very manly!

Hunt and gather in the Christmas tree forest!

For those longer journeys into the Christmas tree farm.

And, away we go!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree how lovely are your branches.

A home full of Christmas cheer!

 Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our family and friends!

A "Christmas Under the Spires" Adventure

Each year the little town of Oldenburg, Indiana hosts a festive holiday event: "Christmas Under the Spires". It's a great opportunity for everyone in the little town to show their Christmas spirit as they put on craft fairs, choral performances, highlight Christmas decor in local shops, and even invite old St. Nick to meander through the town spreading holiday cheer. We enjoyed the small town feel, away from the city, for the day. During our time in Oldenburg we visited with Sam's grandparents. Sam's grandfather builds beautifully handcrafted holiday creches, and the shop was buzzing the entire day with amazed and rosy cheeked shoppers. The shop is tucked into a beautiful old building, his displays adorn the walls of what was once the old meat locker. A shop full of character, run by a man full of character, in a town full of character.

It was a perfect day.

Grandpa Kirschner in his element.

Outside the Creche Shop.

Holiday chicken? Cluck cluck!

Christmas Under the Spires 2013

An Adventure to Clifty Falls State Park in Indiana

Thanksgiving has come and gone and in the Kirschner family that means a big family reunion trip out to Clifty Falls state park in Indiana. The Friday after Thanksgiving always marks the first day of family fun at the park, and the Kirschner clan claims the space until Sunday morning. The weekend festivities include nature hikes, board games, euchre tournaments, and the legendary annual family football game (which usually ends in arguments, sports injuries and of course a team of victors who are all too happy to remind the other team of their defeat).

The lodge is nestled in the woods atop a hill that overlooks the Ohio river and the quaint township of Madison, IN. I was honored to have been invited to this beautiful weekend with Sam's entire family. They warmly welcomed in to all the family traditions including the girls shopping trip in the town center while the boys stayed back to play the annual football game.

It was weekend for the books. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the weekend. 

Indiana State Park!

A Saturday morning wilderness adventure.

A family tradition. ...but really, who needs an explanation it's us and a larger than life otter, 'nough said.

And, my favorite moment of the weekend. Waking up to a pink sunrise over the river.