Snow fun

 

The temperatures finally got above freezing, and the snow started to melt, which means - sledding! It also means "Mom, I'm too hot in my coat"

 

One of the parks nearby has some fun hills for our skill level. That said, we did hit one post, one park bench, and twice jumped the embankment and landed in the street. I don't have any pics of Scarlett because I was always at the bottom of the hill to slow her down. But I was proud of my brave 3 yr old who raced down that hill on her own. She even got brave enough to try a jump the next day.

 

On days like these, I love living in Billings.

Deck the halls

This year we decorated pretty early for Christmas. We knew we were travelling for Thanksgiving, and then hosting a Relief Society party the week we got back. I loved it. I love Christmas decorations and I love this time of year.

 

 

The girls helped me decorate the tree; at least the bottom half of it. Because our ceiling is so high we couldn't resist the urge to buy a tall tree. But then we couldn't get the star on unless we used our largest set of kitchen tongs.

Hadley can't crawl yet, but she ALWAYS found a way to roll right under the tree and play with the lights and presents.

 

Lydia's paper: The Time I Went to Kansas

Yes it was -20

 

I'm not made for this. I am from Midland Texas, where our summers had record-breaking heat. Let me describe what its like at -20F (-30 Celsius)

 

- When you go outside the snot in your nose freezes. It's such a weird feeling. I constantly wanted to pick.

- Your car battery will die. Unless it's fired up regularly, and parks in a garage. Our minivan was parked in the garage, but we weren't driving it because of the snow. It died.

- It's so cold there is no ice on the road, just fluffy snow that's never melted. Its like driving through piles of sifted flour. It's really quite beautiful

- Speaking of driving, we haven't seen the pavement in over a week. It's white everywhere, you don't know where the road ends and the sidewalk begins. Just follow the car in front of you.

- You can't hold any conversations outside, because your whole face is numb and its a labor to speak. And you probably have frozen snot on your face.

- Every storm drain around town has steam rising from it. Eww

- I'm pretty sure steam escapes my front door when I open it.

- When I open the door to watch the kids go to the bus stop, my extremities start to go numb just standing in the doorway.

- Oh yeah...and Billings NEVER CANCELS SCHOOL. Not even a delay. So my kids were out there at the bus stop.

BUT

- The night before, Billings Public Schools will call you to remind you to dress your kids warm and to tell you to walk to a different bus stop if you are somewhere hilly.

 

 

Whatever. The kids didn't mind too much. I guess they aren't as Texan as their mother ;)

 

Kansas

We have taken a couple of trips to Kansas in the last month to be with our Viets family. About a year ago Josh's mom was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. It's been difficult. It's not my place to publicize all the details, but in these last months we have witnessed the strength that comes through

Family

 

We are so blessed to be a part of this Viets family. We have wonderful brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. There is so much love in that home. And at the center of all of it are the most resilient and brave Mimi and Papa

 

 

Carolyn got a great pic of the 5 sons together at Thanksgiving

November was a fun month for my girls who got to spend a lot of time with their Viets cousins, who they adore. Lydia was in tears when it was time to say goodbye

 

 

 

The girls spent lots of quality time with our Aunt Becky, and with Grandpa Paul and Grandma Sharon. We are so thankful for all they do.

And Hadley was Hadley. Not too excited about anything, and never upset about anything. She was often entertained by her cousin Greta, who is just 3 days older!

 

Thanks for the good times! Our hearts and prayers are in Kansas.

Our family 2013

 

 

And we're thankful for our friends the Thomas's who came to the park to take our pictures! They turned out great!