Handprint pillows

I saw this idea for a handprint wreath (on paper) online somewhere and thought it would be fun to use fabric paint and make pillows for grandma's to help them decorate this Christmas. Best of all, the boys really enjoyed making them. They loved having their hands painted, which was good because we made three of them! (I used green and red plaid fabric on the back)

He did it!

This little guy . . . . . (oh, I miss that curly hair!)



made it through the night with his "big boy" pants on!

His diaper has been dry almost every night for the last couple of weeks, but the few times I kept his underwear on for naps he would get wet. But recently he's started acting like he doesn't want to put his diaper on at night, so we went with it. And he passed with flying colors - hooray! Let's just hope it continues. . . .

Christmas Survey

I think it's interesting to see what everyone's traditions and Christmas celebrations are like, so I'm taking Dedra's Christmas survey. . . .

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Definitely paper, but there's usually no color coordination going on. I use whatever I have. And no, my presents are never the prettiest. Dedra always makes fun of me for not even putting things in a box.
2. Real Tree or Artificial? We've done both and my parents actually do both every year. We switched to an artificial tree when Brady was little, but have been thinking about switching to a real tree. Maybe next year we'll make it a family outing and go get a real one.
3. When do you put up the tree? Soon after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? Right after the New Year. Last year Brady and dad slept under the tree lights (in a tent) on New Year's Eve and we'll probably do that again.
5. Do you like eggnog? No.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I remember being really happy to get a rainbow comforter for my bed and of course, the Nintendo I had longed for.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Dads
8. Do you have a nativity scene?--Yes
9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Definitely mail. I love sending and receiving Christmas cards!
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Can't think of anything...
11. Favorite Christmas Movie? Santa Claus the Movie (the one where the candy canes make you float in the air :)
12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November/December
13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?--I don't think so...
14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?--Not actually on Christmas day, but I love to have Chili with summer sausage and cheese - growing up this was what we ate on every Christmas Eve before church.
15. Lights on the tree?--Of course!
16. Favorite Christmas song?--I like all the traditional ones - Drummer Boy, Away in a Manger, Silent Night.
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home?--Mostly travel, but we will be celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at our house.
18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?--Probably not
19. Angel on the tree top or a star?--I like both. Our star wouldn't stay up, so I switched to an angel.
20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?--One on Christmas Eve night, all others on Christmas Day.
21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?--Scraping windshields after work, staying inside so much
22. Favorite ornament theme or color?--Red
23. Favorite for Christmas dinner?--Brocoli cheese and rice.
24. What do you want for Christmas this year?--Clothes/shoes and gift cards for all of my hobbies (so I don't feel guilty)!

Snow and Santa!

What a great combination! The boys and I had a fun little trip to Lebo Friday/Saturday. We went and visited my grandma at the nursing home Friday evening and ate Chinese (free crab ragoon order since they didn't have the buffet open - just what we needed! I had to laugh when she said to my dad, "Anything for you, you are one of my best customers." :)

My brother and his family arrived right when we got home - it was good to see them and the boys really enjoyed playing with their cousins. They were all surprised to see snow outside Saturday morning and desperate to go play in it!

Brady was all about the snow and into throwing snowballs - it should be a fun winter!

Ha! "Little B" cracks me up in this one.

After playing in the snow and getting around, we loaded up and went to Emporia to see Santa! We LOVE taking the boys to see Santa in Emporia - there are never any lines, the pictures cost $5 (plus they let you take as many of your own photos as you want) and the boys will actually get close to him when all of their cousins are there. This would NEVER happen in KC.

Thanksgiving

We enjoyed a wonderful meal and great family time with Ed's family at Sue & Brian's on Thanksgiving.

Look at this family shot!

And all the women (except Steve's wife Audra) -

And although a bit chilly, the boys loved playing in the backyard with all of the kids - especially jumping on their trampoline (which continued until after dark). I was a little worried they were overdoing it (with their surgery and everything), but there were no accidents/tears and we were glad they were able to jump some of that energy off!

Water for Christmas

Thanks to Megan, I became aware of Water for Christmas. It's the economy, it's the war, it's the environmental issues that seem to be always on our mind, it's seeing my boys have surgery and being so thankful for the care they received and their quick recoveries - but this Christmas I hope to focus on making as many homemade gifts as I can and am really trying to make sure my gifts have meaning and thought - not just something to cross off my list. I hope to spend more time with my family making gingerbread houses, cookies and decorations and less time stressing. Oh, and donating to a cause that is providing clean water to places I'll never go.

Happy Thanksgiving!

36 Turkeys

36 turkey cupcakes are going to school and daycare tomorrow - hope the kids like them!



Oh, and they were taste-tested and approved by my little helper.