Thursday, November 17, 2011

Traditions






Every November my girls and I attend the annual Downtown Christmas in our little town. Last year I was very sick with a stomach virus so I was not able to attend. I had to scramble on the phone trying to find someone to take my girls. I did not want them to miss it. I did find a wonderful person to take them,. They were sad that I was not able to go but still had fun. We all have colds this year but we did not let that stop our plans to have a fun and wild night.

Some years the weather is cold and wet. One year it sleeted the whole time. This year the weather was perfect. Just the right amount of crisp cold air and it stayed dry for us this time. There was a very small parade, when I say small, I mean small. It lasted not even five minutes and moved so fast I couldn't get any decent pictures. I don't know why it was so small this year. I didn't even see Santa until he had already passed us. In years past the parade was bigger, even having a live reindeer at one time.

The other part of Downtown Christmas is the shops. They stay open until 9 p.m.(everything closes at around 5 in the downtown area). They hand out warm cider, hot cocoa, cookies and other delicious snacks. Some have drawings for wonderful give-aways. Of course I signed up for them to see if my luck was still running good. There is also a paper that you take from store to store and have stamped. Today they will draw names for gift certificates for the stores. We usually skip this part because the lines are so long to have the papers stamped. But towards the end of the night the girls wanted to give it a try. So we ran from store to store having our paper stamped. Boy were our legs tired after all that running around. Wish me luck!!!

One of the best things of the night is finding some wonderful treasures that we would love to have.





I love this Humpty Dumpty. Doesn't he look regal sitting in his grand chair?





I told my girls I wanted this gargoyle for Christmas. He is just too cute and would make a wonderful protector of our home.




The BEST part of the night? Spending it with these two crazy girls!!!


May our tradition of Downtown Christmas craziness continue for many years to come.




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47 comments:

  1. wicKEDNovember 17, 2011 at 5:59 AM

    I love traditions. This one sounds like a great one. I need that gargoyle too ;)

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  2. Vivienne MossNovember 17, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    Hi wicKED

    It is a lot of fun. I'm hoping La Befana leaves that Gargoyle under the Christmas Tree for me!

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  3. BubbaNovember 17, 2011 at 6:38 AM

    Family time is the best, especially around the holidays.

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  4. LuLu KelloggNovember 17, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    These girls are going to treasure these memories with you forever. You are such an awesome Mom!

    Love,
    LuLu~*xoxo

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  5. Vivienne MossNovember 17, 2011 at 7:02 AM

    Hi Eric

    You are right on that! I think we have a tradition for every Holiday. Many good memories to have!

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  6. Vivienne MossNovember 17, 2011 at 7:03 AM

    Hi LuLu

    Thank you! I hope they do. I try telling them I'm an awesome mom but they don't always agree.LOL

    Blessings, V.

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  7. Robin LarkspurNovember 17, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    Super photos, you all look Fab!! (and I love that bear hat!)Looks like you had a fun time, even with the split-second parade! How fun to enjoy the beginning of the seasonal festivities with your traditional "out on the town" night. Wow, I love that gargoyle too! Humpty is cute, but also a little creepy...I'd worry he would start walking around at night!!!! LOL! I am odd that way! Stay well, get rid of those colds!!

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  8. Julie FergusonNovember 17, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    Love the Humpty Dumpty, too cute! Our tradition used to be to cruise around and look at the lights or go to the zoo for Zoolights when my kids where little. I will have to come up with another tradition with my granddaughters.

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  9. Vivienne MossNovember 17, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    Hi Robin

    Thank you. We had a blast. You are right about Humpty, he does look a little creepy. Kinda like a baby doll.

    I hope we get over our colds soon as well.

    Blessings to you and yours, V.

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  10. Vivienne MossNovember 17, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    Hi Adsila

    We have a tradition of looking at Christmas displays and lights too. We go to the "We Care" lights every year. It's a fab light display that a small nieghborhood puts on for charity. Tht doesn't happen till after Thanksgiving thank goodness.

    I think you should find something really cool to do with your granddaughters so you look cooler than mom and dad!

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  11. Jo PotterNovember 17, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    This sounds like a lovely idea. I wish we had the same Christmas tradition in our village. I love walking around Xmas markets and drinking spicy mulled wine.
    The doll and gargoyle are fun and good finds! ;-)
    It is lovely to meet you Vivienne and thanks for visiting me.

    Blessings and good wishes!

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  12. Queenie BelieveNovember 17, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    Looks like a fun time was had by all. What a wonderful holiday tradition you have in your town. The gargoyle is too fun and your daughter's animal hat is too fun too.
    Have a great day.
    Always, Queenie

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  13. KimNovember 17, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    Great pics! How wonderful that you and your girls have such a traditon and a terrific place to go every in your area every year!!!

    Blessings,

    Kim

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  14. UnknownNovember 17, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    Wait....What.. Reindeer are Real o.0, and ya food, where the stores handing out samples? Also im glad you had a fun time :)

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  15. Magic Love CrowNovember 17, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    Great photos and a great night! So much fun! You and the girls look so happy! I love the treasures you found ;o) I am sending all the luck in the world, that you win all the giveaways ;o) Big Hugs my friend ;o)

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  16. keithNovember 17, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    That big tree behind you (that is you, right?) needs a couple red blubs. Ho ho ho

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  17. Little Gothic HorrorsNovember 17, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    You and your girls look just adorable. The picture you've painted of the night is lovely: "They hand out warm cider, hot cocoa, cookies and other delicious snacks." Christmas is a summery event in Australia. I remember I loved the whole Christmas atmosphere when I lived in London. It would get dark around 4pm, and the Christmas lights would be twinkling everywhere, and chestnuts roasting on every corner. It was quite magical.

    I hope your luck is still running hot, and you win some of those giveaways. I LOVE that gargoyle! He's fabulous!

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  18. Lorelei BellNovember 17, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Great pictures, and your girls ar adorable!

    Hope your luck holds out too!

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  19. VictoriaNovember 17, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    I'm so glad the three of you had a great time and you didn't let your colds stop you from going; you all look so happy and beautiful.

    I'm sending lots of good luck wishes your way for the giveaways!

    Blessings,

    Victoria

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  20. Dr. ThedaNovember 17, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    I think that Christmas comes earlier each year.... we still need to lift our spirits...
    ( "Thanksgiving" is a day before my Mom's birthday and the day she died )

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  21. Vivienne MossNovember 17, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    Hi Joanne May

    I love that our town does this. I think it gives a boost to our local shops. Spicy mulled Wine sounds delish. I think I might have me some real soon.

    It is just as lovely to meet you and you're welcome.

    Blessings, V.

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  22. Vivienne MossNovember 17, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Hi Queenie Believe

    We had sooo much fun, we always do! I do hope I get that gargoyle. My daughter is obsessed with wolves. We found her a little stuffed one at a second hand shop that night. My oldest found a moose.

    Thanks for stopping by.

    Blessings, V.

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  23. Vivienne MossNovember 17, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    Hi Kim

    Thanks! I think this is one of my favorite traditions, we have so many.

    Blessings, V.

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  24. Vivienne MossNovember 17, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    Hi Reina

    Yep, they're real! The stores were handind out all kinds of food and drink. Even the liquor stores were handing out samples. I had the girls so I had to skip out on that.

    Thank you!!!

    Blessings, V.

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  25. Vivienne MossNovember 17, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Hi Stacy(MLC)

    Thank you so much. We had such a wonderful time. Very tired afterward. Thanks for the good luck wishes. i didn't hear anything today so i don't think I won. I still had a fab time though.

    Hugs back at you my friend, V.

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  26. Vivienne MossNovember 17, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    Hi Keith

    Yep, that's me!! Ho Ho Ho back at ya!!!

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  27. Vivienne MossNovember 17, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Hi Little Gothic Horrors

    Thank you!!! Everything was perfect lastnight, right down to the twinkling lights. It gets dark around 6p.m. here so we have plenty of time for Christmas lights.

    I knew you would like the gargoyle. He is very cool.

    Thanks for the luck, V.

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  28. Vivienne MossNovember 17, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    Hi Lorelie

    Thanks so much. We had a blast!!!

    Blessings, V.

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  29. Vivienne MossNovember 17, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    Hi Victoria

    Thank you. We were very happy last night, such fun! I think the fresh air did us good. We are all feeling a little better today.

    Thanks for the good luck wishes!!!

    Blessings, V.

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  30. Vivienne MossNovember 17, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    Hi Dr. Theda

    Yes, it does seem that Christmas is comming earlier every year. I used to complain about the Downtown Christmas being held before Thanksgiving. Then I just gave up and enjoyed the fact that my town at least does something unrealted to the circus.

    So sorry about your Mom. You will be in my thoughts and prayers this Thanksgiving.

    Blessings, Lady Moss.

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  31. TheBlakkDuchessNovember 18, 2011 at 3:09 AM

    You three are just too cute for words. ^-^
    I'm so glad you were able to go to the parade this year! Hopefully your luck will hold & you'll win some wonderful things. ^-^

    XOXO

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  32. Sal November 18, 2011 at 4:27 AM

    This sounds like you had lots of fun! :)
    What a great family tradition.
    Lovely photos, too!

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  33. Vivienne MossNovember 18, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    Hi TheBlakkDuchess

    Thank you. We are always acting a little silly. Makes life fun.

    Thanks for the good luck wishes!

    Blessings, V.

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  34. Vivienne MossNovember 18, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    Hi Sal

    Thanks!!! We did have a lot of fun. I love having girls who enjoy the cold as much as I do!

    Blessings, V.

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  35. Beth CiottaNovember 18, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    These pictures are the best. What fun! I don't think I remember 'Downtown Christmas' from when I lived there. Although, that was many moons ago. Love the concept!

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  36. Vivienne MossNovember 18, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    Hi Beth

    They have been doing this for 14 years now. I think I have gone to all but 3. You would have fun going through all of the stores.

    Love you, V.

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  37. Elle J RossiNovember 18, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    What a wonderful tradition. I'd love to join you one of these years. And I may have to fight you for that gargoyle! I've been asking for one to sit on our front step for years. Apparently my family thinks I'm kidding!

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  38. YgraineNovember 18, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    I love hearing about other people's family traditions. Yours is wonderful.
    How I'd adore a gargoyle like this one.
    If I could, I'd like a line of them all along the front of my house.
    Don't think the neighbours would approve, though!!

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  39. Vivienne MossNovember 18, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    Hi Elle

    You should bring your kids next year. make sure you bundle up though, I know how much you love the cold.

    We have a gargoyle on top of our house. I want a lot more though.

    Make sure you ask Santa for a gargoyle for Christmas.

    Love ya, V.

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  40. Vivienne MossNovember 18, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    Hi Ygraine

    I love to hear about others traditions as well. You never know if you will find a new one that way.

    I say line those gargoyles up anyway. Your neighbors might end up liking them!!

    Blessings, V.

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  41. Melissa November 18, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    What CUTE pics of your girls! Well, all of you are certainly in the festive mood already. I am not quite ready to spring into Christmas as I am hanging on to enjoying November as a final month of Autumn where my fall decor still warms my heart. Next weekend I will begin to allow the Winter/Christmas season to ring in fully! lol!

    It's fantastic that the weather was just perfect, therefore with the cold chill the treats tasted tastier I bet! I do love traditions myself. Especially with your children. I know they are building blocks for warm and special memories for the future.

    Namaste ~ Melissa

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  42. Vivienne MossNovember 20, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Hi Melissa

    Thank you. I have often wished that they would hold this after Thanksgiving but I don't think it will ever happen.

    I hope my children will cherish these memories like I do!!
    Blessings, V.

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  43. UnknownNovember 20, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    woah thats so awesome i just thought reindeer were a mythical creature lol, if reindeer are real i wonder if unicorn are too?

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  44. Vivienne MossNovember 21, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    Hi Reina

    Of course Unicorns are real. They just live in the sea now!!!

    Blessings, V.

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  45. UnknownNovember 21, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    lol , oh ya i forget , they turned into the wale with long horn duh ^.^ i forget their name though

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  46. Vivienne MossNovember 21, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    Hi Reina

    They are called Narwhal!!!

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  47. UnknownNovember 21, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    cool now i learned something new today ^.^

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