Dave had the opportunity to cut down our Christmas tree this year. I did it last time because he had left his snow pants at home accidentally (a likely story).

Trevor sledded and Gavin gaped at the white stuff falling on his face while Dave and I picked the tree and sawed it down.

This time, we have a truck with 4WD and we were able to bring it down to the cutting area. Quite a difference from that long trek up the hill dragging a heavy tree behind us to the parking lot the last time with our Kia.

.

The boys won an award for their tandem costume at the Mason's annual Halloween party.


But you can't forget the butter!

.

The stack of trees never really went up like everyone expected because of the damp branches, but every once in a while a tree or two would dry out and catch fire.

Trevor stood as close as the Fire Department would let him, which was very close. We only felt the ice crack once.

.

From the snowy north country.

.

The yearly event of sending Christmas cards is a sport unto itself. There's a tremendous amount of work involved -- writing the list, buying the cards, writing them out with personal messages, addressing, stamping, mailing. And... if you make your own missives, you might as well start the process in January of the year before.

How about some recognition for the people who got hand cramps after writing out 200 "Happy Holidays!" message. Or for those who resorted to sticking on three postcard stamps because they ran out of first class postage. Here are some of the best cards from this year:

Best Homemade - Juvenile



This is Trevor's card which he made out of a potato stamp, an eraser and a Sharpie.

Best Homemade - Adult

This card was so well-crafted that it was days before we realized it was homemade. I expect to see this crafter demonstrating her techniques on the Martha Stewart Show any day now.

Most Nostalgic

This card is a photo of the Rutgers Gardens in full bloom. Dave lived there during college one year. I remember doing homework at his kitchen table listening to moustrap after mousetrap snap shut. How is it we have fewer mice here in rural Vermont than at the Gardens, in the middle of New Jersey?

Best Photo

The Best Photo category is a tough one. There are so many adorable children who arrive in the mail every December. Drooling babies, grinning toddlers, toothless middle-graders... and always at least one teenager with his Sunday clothes and a grudging half-smile. But this card screamed just two words... "Help me."

Dave's Pick

Singing frogs -- they couldn't lose!

Tara's Pick

I love the colors and the artwork style. So many holiday cards are electric red and green -- the pastel blues, browns and greens on this card were a refreshing change.

Congratulations to the winners -- see you next year!

.

It was a quick visit, we essentially took the subway from Madison Square Garden, got out and saw the tree (and the crowds) then went back underground and got into the car. I think Trevor was more enthralled by the subway system than by the big tree itself.

.