Christmas Tree Hunting

Today we went on a journey. The route we took brought back some very fond memories. For at least me anyways.
We decided to find a different tree farm this year since the one we had been going to didn't have tall grand firs. Like everyone else I took to the Internet to acquire a list of all the tree farms in the area. It not only covered Western Washington but parts of Eastern too. There was one that stood out. It was located in Skagit County. Big Lake Tree Farm!!! How many years had I gone past that tree farm and noticed it but never let it sink in? Too many to remember.
We made our way north on I-5 and got off at the College Way exit. Has Mount Vernon ever change! We made our way thru the numerous lights that it now has and out of town we went. I told Mark, "We will be coming up to a sharp right turn that takes you on to Hwy. 9. Be watching for it!" Guess what, that sharp right turn no longer exists. It is now a round about. On we went. Past the golf course, reminding him of every sharp turn on the road, past the Big Lake Bar and Grill and there it was! The Big Lake Tree Farm!!! What a wonderful place. They have lots of tall trees and acres and acres of them. We got out of the car and there it was. The most perfect tall grand fir I had ever seen. When Mark measured it, it was tall alright. About 3 feet or so taller then what we needed. So the hunt began. I found the perfect tree at every turn, most of which were to tall, some to short. There at the back of the lower property was the tree. Full, 8 feet tall and perfectly shaped.
When we left the tree farm we decided to go out via Hwy. 9. There it was the road to Lake Cavanaugh. It was very hard not to turn up that road and continue on to "the lake". I miss it, but I have my wonderful memories. I think we will make The Big Lake Tree Farm a tradition from here on out.

Halloween 2008

I have been chosen as the parent to put on classroom parties for Angels class. Here are a few of the boys decorating their cupcakes. This was just one of the activities they participated in that day.

This is another. This is Angel trying to get the hanging and swinging donut. The kids thought this was great fun.

The biggest event of the day was the launching of apples. We made it a science/math project. The idea was to see how far it would travel and at what velocity depending on angles and force. The kids just thought it was great fun shooting the apples. They could care less that it was raining that day. We also played bingo, and pin the leaf on a tree. They had many healthy and not so healthy treats to eat with goodie bags to take home. Even Mrs. Marcus had a great time.

That evening we went trick or treating with some friends over in the Silver Lake area. Great neighborhood where they decorate the houses. We lucked out that it was a fairly warm night and no rain. Angel was, as usual, the only girl. The kids ran from house to house and had a wonderful time. As you can see Angel was a bumble bee and was dressed appropriately for the cool evening.