This is the picture that should have gone into our Christmas cards!

And, for my record, (so I will remember what we went through while taking this picture) I'd like to note how many devices we used to hold our camera, which has a curved bottom, up right. Head bands, one of Cambree's shoes, a cow stolen from one of the nativity sets, several books, a jewelry box, a Playbill, wooden blocks....we got creative.

Christmas Advent

Well, I did it. I found a picture of a really cool project and actually completed it successfully.
Well, mostly.

I convinced my mom to do one too and she ended up making 3 in less time than it took me to make this one. But I am a beginner. This was my first big machine applique project and my very first attempt at free motion quilting. I love the look of free motion quilting and I plan on getting better in future projects. If only I could get my little sewing machine to help me out. :)

I don't know if you can tell but the number squares are actually little pockets. We have cute little Christmas quotes and Mad Gabs and fill-in-the-blanks in ours, one to read each day (Thanks Mom!)
I love the fabrics. It is so colorful and cheerful on our drab wall.

I think I just might keep it up year round.

I found the project (as well as many others for my "future project" list) here.

Thanks for the Giving

We have been blessed so much by visits from The Grandmas and Grandpa. My (Julie's) parents surprised us a couple months ago with the news that they would be joining us for Thanksgiving. While far away at the time, it has been something I have been looking forward to eagerly for months. As it happens, their week here was wonderful but it was over way too quickly and now I am still mourning their departure. But what am I saying? This is a Thanksgiving post after all.

From the moment Grandma and Grandpa walked in the door, our girls were nonstop grins and giggles (ok, so maybe that describes me too). Grins for Grandma who shared her eyebrow pencil and lip gloss and all the gum from her purse and who read them story after story, never mind the pushing and shoving for the best section of her lap. And Silly Grandpa Mark, for tickling and horsey rides and popcorn and for teaching them what it means to be "full of bologna".

We enjoyed a small, somewhat quiet Turkey Day from what we have been used to and the food, if I do say so myself, was excellent. (I definitely recommend brining your turkey next year if you haven't yet tried it. The girls particularly liked the legs!) The boys ran a 5k in the am in frigid temps and us ladies came along -- shivering-- to cheer them on. On Friday instead of hitting the shops, we went to our apple/pumpkin farm and cut down our Christmas tree. Chilly again but lots of fun keeping up with that tradition. I think I would be sad someday if we are unable to have a live tree in our home. Ah, but I am so grateful for it. It looks beautiful, smells beautiful and adds so much life and cheer to our front room. Cambree still oohs and ahhs every time we turn on the lights and has loved more than one ornament to death. Haylee is very good at watering the tree and reminding me to vacuum up the needles or plug in the lights.

This holiday season has filled our 2 little girls with wonder and it is so fun to watch. I can't wait to see what the rest of the season will bring!