merry christmas

ever wonder


Can you imagine? Jesus born into this world of social networking?
What a clever way to deliver the Christmas story.



If you have more time on your hands, check out this cute video. It's been around a while, but it still makes me smile every time I see it. Hope you're quick enough to catch all the witty details - it's fast!

it can only get brighter from here


Winter Solstice. When the cold days seems to stack up, when there's no end in sight of winter, when I'm tired of being cooped up, this is my benchmark. Dinnertime will be brighter, days will lengthen, we are on the upswing. Today is the turnaround.

special delivery


This morning Scott took the crib down, and in it's place came a new extra-long twin bed for an extra-long boy.


Showing him the ropes was the older, wiser sister.



Once the bed was made, Andrew realized that his quilt would also double as a road for his cars. This is no surprise - making a road from an everyday object is something we now realize is "so Andrew".

























Naptime was short today - Andrew had trouble falling asleep. But he still called for us when he woke up without any attempt to get out of bed. That's a good sign.

farewell


Tonight will be Andrew's last in the crib.



Ironically it's the first time ever he's tried to make an escape.




pretty tree lights



fulfilling tradition


Exactly 30 years ago this month, I was participating in an annual family tradition.





A favorite then. And still now.


Same recipe. Same table. Same room. Same joy.


So glad to share it today with family!

sweet little model


Got the tights. Got the sweater (although I think it looks better without).
Got the girl to model!




sweet little dress


Sunday mornings have been a bit of a battle lately. Morgan's wardrobe for church is pretty pathetic and with the change in seasons, she's down to one dress that she doesn't really like and another casual play dress that came with leggings. The process of picking out clothes for church is not fun.

During a recent sale, I purchased this pattern for Morgan and thought the finished dress would make for a nice Christmas gift. However, after another Morgan vs. Mommy go-round this morning, I began to rethink my plan.


















I spent the afternoon sewing and am nearly finished with her very first Sweet Little Dress. Just needs a hem and the elastic holes closed. (Didn't care for the optional belt.)























Morgan will have her new corduroy print dress ready for church next Sunday. A cardigan and tights will complete the look. And best of all, she has approved of it's cuteness.

gratitude


Deuteronomy 8: 11-18

11 Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. 16 He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

it's time for VeggieTales


Our VeggieTales star characters, Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato, were ready to pound the pavement after dinner. Andrew wasn't sure what we were up to, other than taking a walk like usual. But Morgan was well aware and very, very excited about our evening's adventure.


Once he discovered our motives for our costumed walk, Andrew was eager to trick or treat for his candy. He ran FAST.


















After just an hour in our neighborhood we were home, sampling candy, then brushing teeth, getting on jammies and making our way to bed. We had two exhausted vegetables.

(For the annual record, there were 77 kids at our door tonight.)

broccoli, celery, gotta be


dress rehearsal


With just weeks remaining until Halloween - and no great sewing plan yet in place to make these guys - I had the kids try out some costumes that were homemade with love years ago by Mom and Aunt Becky. Or maybe just Mom. Not sure.

I hauled the box out from the basement storage closet and let the kids explore. If Morgan tried it on, Andrew had to as well. Some costumes were bigger than others.




























They had fun, but in the end, they want to be Bob and Larry. I'm hoping to whip something up from my stash of felt, using last year's costume as inspiration. And maybe these vintage costumes will stand another chance next year.

wedding weekend

Hanging at our victorian rental house








Rehearsal



Wedding Day





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