Christmas in Any Language

Is a Joyous Celebration!  Jonas performed the annual First Grade Holiday Program.  He did a great job, and we all had a great time watching him.  He was one of the square dancers, and my camera batteries were dying, so I only got video of him in his small group.  I may get around to posting it... but I may not. :)

Love this picture!

Masquerade

The Med Group Christmas Party this year was a Masquerade theme.  We hit the town laughing at our silly, silly selves.  We did have a fun time, though.  And our babysitter was doing a service, so total bonus we didn't have to pay her!

He needed a close up in all his glory.  This fox was just amazing. :)

Starting December Party Season

We rang in the month of December with quite a few parties.  The first was a friend's birthday party, the big EIGHT!  His mom rented out the local gymnastics sports center and the kids had a blast!

From that party we went to the ward Christmas party.  I didn't take many pictures, but it was a really great party.  Our Relief Society was in charge and we decided to make it as simple as possible.  We had a delicious dinner, the kids wrote letters to Santa, we had a photo op where people could dress up in "nativity" clothes and get a picture at the stable and we ended the night with Santa telling us about the true meaning of Christmas symbols.

 The kids were excited to get their wish lists in the mailbox for Santa.

Jonas loves costumes.  I don't know when he put this on, but I'm glad we got a picture, its the only nativity pic we have this year. :)

I was quite preoccupied as my craft booth was the next morning... hence the few pictures.  

Trimming the tree

When we got back from Utah, the kids were anxious to get ready for Christmas.  They were so excited to decorate the tree and digging through all the other decorations and finding treasures from year's past was the best!

The tinsel was kind of in knots and Jonas and Bryant thought playing tug of war with it was the best solution. :)  Luckily no one got hurt, not even the tinsel, though it stayed in knots.

Levi's favorite decoration.

He was pulling everything out of our box and telling me to take his picture.  Like I said, he was excited.

Clever girl Eliza put her stocking on, she was pretty proud of herself for thinking of that one.

Especially when her big brother copied her to get his picture taken too.

Bryant being, well... Bryant. :)

I'm pretty sure this should be a yearly tradition, so, so funny... The Eating of the Candles.

"hmmm... I wonder what this box is for?"

"There's something red I can touch... and it moves..."

"Maybe if I use my teeth I can get too those things that look like candy."

"Success!  Just have to be smarter than the box!"

"Yum."

"Ugh! That is the nastiest candy ever!"

Placing the star.

Ready for a fun season (notice the tinsel hanging off, I wish you could see what a haphazard way it was wrapped around the tree, well, the bottom half... that's as high as Jonas could reach).

Ready for my Close Up

Thanks for the positive response to my "undertaking."  I decided that I would share close up shots of the items available in case anyone wanted more details.

Argyle Wreath: $22; 12" diameter, wrapped in jute with stripes of cream yarn.  Red and Green diamonds sewn together and then crosses wrapped with cream yarn.  A truly unique wreath!

Denim Blue Trapper Hat: $9

Non-Ruffle Apron: $12 for reversible blue and orange with pockets.

Non-Ruffle Apron: $10 for school bus, fully lined with no pockets.

Half Ruffle Apron: $11, fits size 2-5

Full Ruffle Apron: $16 for reversible paisley/vines. Fits size 2-5.

Full Ruffle Apron: $14 for big polka dots.  Stripes are on the reverse side, but its not truly reversible due to the attachment of the waist tie.

Tie Belts: $4; Big variety, boys or girls belts.  I can take more pictures, let me know if you're interested.

Baby Apron/Bib: $10.  Lined with flannel so its soft against baby's skin if going shirtless.  I love the coverage this offers!  And the tie back allows it to fit like a shirt so baby is less likely to attempt pulling it off, and even if attempts are made, its less likely they will succeed.

Fits a toddler too, just more like a bib than an apron.

Knitted bib: $5.  Great for the baby who doesn't rip his bib off, its so easy to put on!

Skinny Scarf: $8.  Perfect size for a child!

Ladybug hairclips: $4 for set of two.

Rudolph and Santa Trivets or Wall Hangings: $4 each

Cloth Diaper Burp Cloths: $8 for set of two.  These are super soft with such a wide panel of flannel attached to the center, super absorbent because they're intended to be diapers, and super cute with their charming prints!  A showstopper at baby showers!

The flannel is serged right into the edge of the burp cloth.

So you can see how wide a panel the flannel actually covers.

Cloth Diaper Burp Cloth: $4 single burp cloth.

Dolls: $18.  I can add a face if you want; simple dot or sleepy eyes with a slight smile and blush cheeks.

Bon Appetit 9x13 glass dish: $12

Easy as Pie Pie Plate: $9

Girl's Lap Quilt: $15.  Soft fabrics in bright colors will make this a favorite to snuggle with.  Tied.

Felt Ornaments: $8 set of 6.  These would make great gift "tags" for a teacher or neighbor gift.  All hand stitched with love. :)

Starlight Mint Yo-Yo Ornaments: $3.50 set of 6.

Rustic Yo-Yo Wreath: $22

Rugged Holly Berry Wreath: $22

Apothecary Jars: $40 set of 3 in alternating heights.  Fill them with candy as the seasons changed.  Top them with matching ribbon and you've got a great decorative piece!  Or you can fill them with whatever suits your decor: stones, pinecones, candles... the possibilities are endless.

Apothecary Jars: $15 each.  Can be etched, like the red center jar, for an additional $2.  These would be fun gifts as well, filled with candy, dry ingredients for your favorite cookie recipe, or hot chocolate!

Photographing etched glass is quite difficult to capture, particularly with a white background.

Burlap Wreath with Felt Roses: $22.  I think this wreath is so pretty and could be used for Christmas or Valentine's, anytime really.

Chargers: $8.  A discounted price from the original $10.

Welcome Sign: $15 with tiles for 4 seasons (summer not pictured).