Our First Family Tree Cutting Expedition at Richardson Christmas Tree Farm

**Disclosure: We received a complimentary Christmas tree for the purpose of conducting an accurate review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

This past year, I have really been working on checking items off of the bucket list pretty rapid fire. One thing that I had never done **until last weekend** was cut down a Christmas tree. In the past, I have had allergy issues with Christmas trees. So, we have opted to have an artificial tree. However, this year we had the opportunity to visit Richardson Christmas Tree Farm we would cut our own tree to spice things up a little bit. **And, the pine tree we chose has not been bothering my allergies! Hooray!**

When we visited Richardson Farm this past fall for the Corn Maze, I was pretty impressed by the overall warmth of the family experience. We experienced that same warmth when we visited Richardson last weekend as well! The Richardson Family has created an atmosphere to make all families welcome in their home!

For those who have never cut down their own Christmas tree before, cutting at tree at Richardson is incredibly easy and enjoyable. The family has streamlined the process so that some of the less pleasurable tasks are handled by staff and some pretty interesting machines.

To begin our expedition, we headed for the free wagon ride to the trees. Before hopping aboard, we took a look at sample trees {my daughter decided that we had to have one with soft needles} and grabbed a saw. We were given a little orientation before joining other families for our wagon ride.

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Destrehan Plantation {Stepping into Louisiana's Past}

**Disclosure: We received complimentary admission for the purpose of conducting an accurate review. No compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

As a former French colony, Louisiana has quite a unique past. During our visit to Louisiana a few weeks ago, we wanted to make sure to absorb as much of Louisiana culture both past and present as we could. There is nowhere else like Louisiana! So, a visit to a French plantation was definitely on the list. We spent one lovely morning walking under trees draped in Spanish moss, along a sweeping veranda and through well-appointed rooms at Destrehan Plantation.

Destrehan Plantation is one of the older plantations in the country so you cannot find many that have seen so much history. Construction on the home began in 1787 and I love that you can still see the influence of French colonial style. The home's wide-hipped roof and sweeping porches and raised level living quarters really show off the style. The home was later remodeled in a Georgian style, but I really think the French colonial style still comes out.

The Destrehan family figured prominently in Louisiana history. So, our tour not only introduced us to the family but to Louisiana history as well. In fact, the plantation has an original document from Thomas Jefferson appointing Jean Noel Destrehan to the Orleans Territorial Council. So, you can see that the family was important to the growth of Louisiana. My daughter was in awe seeing this document--which was pretty cool, too!

I love to tour historic homes. When I was a child, my family enjoyed touring James River Plantations in Virginia. Ever since, I have been hooked. As a parent, though, I had a difficult time deciding when to take my daughter on a house tour. She is now 8-years-old and I think she was the perfect age for this tour.

We began the tour with a short video laying down the background history of the home. After the video, the costumed guide began the tour of the house. When you walk through a house like Destrehan, it is almost like you are walking through a dollhouse. Scenes were set and I think that really appeals to adults and children alike. We enjoyed moving around each room, taking in all of the details. The tour guide exhibited a deep knowledge of the history of everything in the house {at least everything we asked about}.

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