Christmas 2012

It was a very busy Christmas season for us, to say the least. We were busy travelling for family and for doctor appointments, and now we are in the middle of moving! So we also fit in a house-hunting trip to Billings Montana the week before Christmas. The season is busy enough with all the Christmas parties and activities, which we took part in as much as we could.

 

First, the tree. While it seems most families are turning to fake trees, we are stubbornly loyal to our tradition of picking out and setting up a live Christmas tree. Even if it does take a whole day just to get it to stand up straight and get all the lights and decorations on, we love the smell, and we love the tradition.

 

Then, the company Christmas party. During the day there was a party for families, with a full breakfast, crafts, treats, a movie, ..and Santa! Then the couples party was held that evening.

 

And when your company is doing well, Santa doesn't send you home with just a candy cane. The girls each got a full bag of gifts!! Spoiled...

 

 

Here's a few pics of Lydia's school Christmas party. Unfortunately Josh and I were in Montana for Claire's, and Grandma Taylor went to her party.

 

Lydia's best buds Kate and Gentry. She has made such good friends here, it gets harder each time we move to take her away from her dear friends.  

 

We made gingerbread houses, ornaments, reindeer food, and decorated cookies!


On Christmas Eve our friends the Huffmans had a family party, and we had the kids do a Nativity.

The Milnes, Tews, and Murdocks joined us. My girls were the angels. Scarlett didnt participate much. She's more of a crooked angel anyways.

 

Then...Christmas Eve!!

 

And Christmas morning

 

Santa brought the girls a new car and new play kitchen, along with some other things they specifically asked for (like Stompeez.....dang those TV infomercials!). Mom and Dad mostly got them stuff for the cold Montana winter. Grandma & Grandpa Taylor got them their guitars...which Scarlett is particularly fond of. She loves to rock out. And Mimi and Papa got them their cozy sleeping bags.

 

Some of the traditions we continue each year...

- The Elf on the Shelf "Sookie Cookie" is here for his 4th Christmas with the Viets. He doesn't show up until the tree is up, and he watches the girls every day until Christmas, and reports to Santa at night while they sleep. I sometimes catch the girls apologizing to the elf for something they've done, but in most cases they are tattling on one another.

- The first gift under the tree is our "Gift to Jesus". For family night we each think of things that we are going to do for others as our gift to Jesus, then write them down (or color a picture) and put them in a gift box. The girls usually have relatively easy ones. Lydia went through all her toys and filled 2 large bags of things to donate to Helping Hands. Claire picked out a gift to donate to the Angel tree at school. And Scarlett helped me make simple treats for the bus driver and the mailman. Josh and I try to push ourselves just a little bit more, and its very rewarding in the end.

- On Christmas Eve I prepare a batch of Debbie Viets's cinnamon rolls to bake in the morning. They are never as good as hers, but they're still pretty good.

- Christmas is always at our house. After 2 kids, we resolved to never travel for Christmas again, and it has been so nice. Christmas takes alll day long to get through, because we get to take our time and aren't rushed to be anywhere or host anyone. The house is a mess and we love it. Its ours. It's a very Viets Christmas :)