Discovery

I found this website & blog last night. I just love it! I'm already eager to try my hand at making my own laundry soap. I'm also looking forward to trying many of her recipes. What an inspiring blog & helpful website!

http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/index.html

Home Improvements

For a Christmas gift Darin bought us some materials to upgrade our downstairs bathroom. They worked on it for a few hours before he had to leave for his flight. Here are some 'before' and 'in progress' photos.

New Addition

They added this waterproof drywall. It comes as green & we will paint it later.

Hard at Work

Dave puts on the second piece of drywall.

Doesn't he look kind of crazy?


The Next Step - Darin's Turn
Darin's done lots of spackling as he recently finished remodeling an entire house.

Time for Trim!

Isn't the difference amazing?

Caulking Along the Line

Topping Off With More Trim

Trim

Between the tile & the shelving

Full View

It's coming along!

Little Things

Today was our first day of our "Hanging Out, Not Doing Much, Kick Back & Relax" vacation. Dave had to work but the kids & I stayed home. We did clean up the house a bit and put a lot of the gifts that were under the tree in their new homes but other than that we pretty much relaxed. It was nice. E-boy got his first nap in 4 days. I'm looking forward to a couple more days of this. Ahhhh............

I Love You!

Bugs hugs on Tucker who is obviously thrilled. Lol.

Leftovers

I decided to have Dave trim my hair tonight.

Side View

Back View

It's getting quite long! I don't want to cut it all off but I'm wondering if it's time to style it. Any suggestions? I'm thinking loose perm.......

Two Favorites

My Little Brother aka Uncle D

I love this picture.

Silly Nana!

She cracks me up! Lol!

From Grandpa & Grandma With Love

On Saturday the children received their Christmas gifts in the mail from Grandma & Grandpa. We were going to have them wait until Christmas but when they spoke to Grandpa on the phone that afternoon he said it was fine to go ahead and open them early. So that evening they did! It was fun to watch their reactions & they were more than happy to start unwrapping presents early. Lol!
In addition to their gifts they each received a handmade ornament. I forgot to take a picture of them but will post one later. They are beautiful. He has made the children one every year for the past 10 years. They are priceless & we all treasure each one. Bugs also received a homemade, personalized stepping stool. This is also now a tradition for all the grandchildren to receive one about the time they are 2 or 3. This year Pops had 3 to make & design in addition to all the ornaments. Wow! He did a fantastic job. I would post a picture but it has Bugs' real name on it and I don't feel comfortable putting that on the world wide web. If you'd like to see a picture please let me know and I'll send you one privately.

Open it! Open it!

Bugs brings his present over to Mama for help.

No Hesitation Here

E-boy rips right into his.

Wow-zah!


Peek-a-boo!
What could be inside?




Boo's Turn

Binoculars!

Boo is a very happy girl!

Cool!

Sweet Pea receives a very cool puzzle.

Always a Hit!

She also received some cash! See that smile?

I See You!

Boo tries out her new gift.

Perfect Fit

Bugs puts his new stool to use right away.

That Didn't Take Long

Before we knew it E-boy had all his trucks, etc. freed from the package and was happily playing away.

Thank you Grandma & Grandpa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas

Santa's Prayer

The sleigh was all packed, the reindeer were fed,

But Santa still knelt by the side of the bed.

"Dear Father," he prayed "Be with me tonight.

There's much work to do and my schedule is tight.

I must jump in my sleigh and streak through the sky,

Knowing full well that a reindeer can't fly.

I will visit each household before the first light,

I'll cover the world and all in one night.

With sleigh bells a-ringing, I'll land on each roof,

Amid the soft clatter of each little hoof.

To get in the house is the difficult part,

So I'll slide down the chimney of each child's heart.

My sack will hold toys to grant all their wishes.

The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.

I will fill all the stockings and not leave a track.

I'll eat every cookie that is left for my snack.

I can do all these things Lord, only through You,

I just need your blessing, then it's easy to do.

All this is to honor the birth of the One,

That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.

So to all of my friends, least Your glory I rob,

Please Lord, remind them who gave me this job."

By: Warren D. Jennings

Graphic by: Penny Parker

Hardworking Elves

Today we were all very busy preparing our gifts to give away at church tomorrow. Dave & the girls made Candy Cane cookies and fudge. I made 2 more candy wreaths and filled in 2 that had already been made. I also worked on my sewing a bit and filled out 20-some Christmas cards. Sweet Pea made a candy wreath for her teachers & Boo and E-boy made cards for theirs. We have 24 packages of fudge, 20-some Christmas cards, 5 candy wreaths & 2 homemade cards to pass out tomorrow. Whew! It will be fun handing them out to everyone before Christmas.

3 Bakers

They had fun making Candy Cane cookies together.

Official Tester

E-boy declared the cookies to be yummy.

Big Smile

Bugs loved the cookies too.

Mama's Helper

E-boy helped with the chores making me very happy indeed. The best part was that he did it with a cheerful heart.

Today's Creations

The newest wreaths are ready to be given as gifts.

Ready to Go!

The Fudge Brigade!

Yummy & ready for tomorrow!

"Doesn't Anybody Know What Christmas Is All About?"

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.



**** Here Linus' famous telling of the true meaning of Christmas. ***

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKk9rv2hUfA


"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Progress

I couldn't resist posting the progress of my sewing. I know I told you I'd post the finished project but I couldn't wait. Lol. Here is what I've accomplished thus far. Soon I will be done #1 and will move on to #2!

The Full Length View

I have started on the flower stem as seen below.

Close Up

This view shows the colors much better.

My Latest Project

My Mom told me about these iron on cross stitch patterns at Walmart. I had never heard of them before but wanted to check it out. I found them in their craft & sewing section and to my delight they were on sale for $1 each! I bought a few and plan to use them for future projects. Right now I'm using one on a set of pillow cases. Dave ironed them on for me (I can't make a straight line to save my life - lol) and now I'm ready to go. I think it's pretty cool that I can now turn something simple into a special handmade gift. I'm looking forward to letting the girls try them out as well.

Here is a picture of the ironed on pattern. I will post another picture when they are complete!

It Strikes Again!

Another soldier down. Dave has succumbed to the stomach bug. Poor guy. He feels rotten. He tried to go to work and ended up with 2 trips & 2 flat tires. He then came home and soon felt sick. The rest of the day he hasn't been able to get warm & feels awful. We need to get this nasty bug out of here! Doesn't it know it's almost Christmas?

Good Grief

Can you believe it? I can't find my Christmas cards. I bought them early this year in order to get a jump start on them and now they've disappeared. Since it is now December 18th (about to be December 19th in 10 minutes), I don't think my cards will be reaching anyone before Christmas. So sorry. Don't be surprised if you end up with a Christmas card in your mailbox sometime in July! You'll know who it's from even before you read the return address! As my email address says, I dare to be different. Lol. *wink*

Red is Her Color

I finished knitting Nana's hat tonight. Hooray! What do you think? Her favorite color is red. Sweet Pea is making a scarf & we'll give her them as a set. I know she'll love that we made them ourselves instead of buying them ready made. I can hardly wait! Remember it's our little secret. I don't want her to know. Shhhh...........

Celebrating Jesus

THe children had their Christmas program at church. It was a big year for us as it was E-boy's first time being in the program. He was over the moon with excitement. It was so cute to hear him practicing at home in the weeks leading up to the big night. The girls were looking forward to it too. We LOVE Christmas! Celebrating our Savior's birth is such an exciting and wonderful time!

The Narrators

Keeping Bugs Entertained

This helped for a little while but it's hard when it's so close to his bedtime and we already waited a half hour for the program to begin.

The Singing Begins

See Boo & Sweet Pea?

His Debut!

E-boy & the other younger ones join the choir.


MORE PICS

Ringing Those Bells!

The last song was something to do with bells and celebrating Jesus' birth. E-boy was thrilled when Mrs. Smith let him have some bells. As our Pastor said, "She's their new best friend." Lol!

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The children all did a wonderful job. It was a beautiful program and celebration of our Lord's birth.