Our Surprise Christmas 2016
When we arrived in Vietnam, we anticipated being there for quite a long time- at least until early 2017. When we were released to return to the United States in early December, we decided to surprise my family in California for an early Christmas.
The last time we Skyped with my family from Vietnam, we had to keep the secret that we were leaving soon. Landon did a great job, and even hushed me up a few times when he felt like I was going to give it away. They had mentioned they didn't have a Christmas tree yet, and I was so hoping that they would still not have one when we arrived, so Landon could help pick it out. Well, my wish came true! My mom was going to break tradition and buy a tree from the grocery store, but since we appeared, we went to the Christmas tree lot that we have gone to every year since I was a little girl!
Our hunt for the perfect Christmas tree was a little more tricky this year because of the big drought that hit California over the past few years. Most of the trees were smaller, and had bare spots and holes. The ones that looked perfect were also much more expensive, and we could not come to a consensus on tree style. I prefer the trees with space in between branches for ornaments, while other family members like the fuller trees. In any event, I think Landon enjoyed wandering around the tree lot looking at all the different trees!
After lots of searching, we finally found a tree! It really was half of a tree, but the half that was going to face out was full and beautiful. Plus, since it was only basically half of a tree, it was on sale. Yay! Next came Landon's favorite part- cutting down the tree. My dad helped him push the saw blade back and forth, and it definitely brought back memories from my childhood when I got to help cut down the tree.
After he cut it down, Landon helped haul it onto the tree carrier and take it to the front. There was complimentary, delicious hot apple cider and 25 cent popcorn to enjoy while they shook the tree to get off the bugs and extra pine needles. We love Hidden Springs Christmas tree lot off of Monterey Road in Atascadero, and highly recommend it! It has been family owned for generations and the service reflects that. We even lost one of Owen's shoes there and stopped by the next day when we realized it, and it was waiting up at a front booth for us the next day.
This Christmas, Landon was more into Christmas songs. We sang "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" the first Sunday at church in California. After that, Landon wanted me to sing it with him over and over until he learned all the words. Well, almost all the words. No matter how many times we sang it, he never sang the words, "mercy mild". He always says, "Ersey wild". It makes us smile every time. When Landon was little, he said "urse" instead of horse. So that's what we think of when he sings "ersey wild." Wild horses! He sings it at the top of his lungs ALL the time. Still. In February. We loved our time in California with the Livengoods!
The last time we Skyped with my family from Vietnam, we had to keep the secret that we were leaving soon. Landon did a great job, and even hushed me up a few times when he felt like I was going to give it away. They had mentioned they didn't have a Christmas tree yet, and I was so hoping that they would still not have one when we arrived, so Landon could help pick it out. Well, my wish came true! My mom was going to break tradition and buy a tree from the grocery store, but since we appeared, we went to the Christmas tree lot that we have gone to every year since I was a little girl!
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| I love Landon's California winter outfit here- shorts and a sweatshirt |
Our hunt for the perfect Christmas tree was a little more tricky this year because of the big drought that hit California over the past few years. Most of the trees were smaller, and had bare spots and holes. The ones that looked perfect were also much more expensive, and we could not come to a consensus on tree style. I prefer the trees with space in between branches for ornaments, while other family members like the fuller trees. In any event, I think Landon enjoyed wandering around the tree lot looking at all the different trees!
After lots of searching, we finally found a tree! It really was half of a tree, but the half that was going to face out was full and beautiful. Plus, since it was only basically half of a tree, it was on sale. Yay! Next came Landon's favorite part- cutting down the tree. My dad helped him push the saw blade back and forth, and it definitely brought back memories from my childhood when I got to help cut down the tree. 
After he cut it down, Landon helped haul it onto the tree carrier and take it to the front. There was complimentary, delicious hot apple cider and 25 cent popcorn to enjoy while they shook the tree to get off the bugs and extra pine needles. We love Hidden Springs Christmas tree lot off of Monterey Road in Atascadero, and highly recommend it! It has been family owned for generations and the service reflects that. We even lost one of Owen's shoes there and stopped by the next day when we realized it, and it was waiting up at a front booth for us the next day.
This Christmas, Landon was more into Christmas songs. We sang "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" the first Sunday at church in California. After that, Landon wanted me to sing it with him over and over until he learned all the words. Well, almost all the words. No matter how many times we sang it, he never sang the words, "mercy mild". He always says, "Ersey wild". It makes us smile every time. When Landon was little, he said "urse" instead of horse. So that's what we think of when he sings "ersey wild." Wild horses! He sings it at the top of his lungs ALL the time. Still. In February. We loved our time in California with the Livengoods!
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