Christmas Day

The calm before the storm!

Their LEAST favorite picture of the entire year!  

 We ran out of stocking this year so Uncle Michael got a sock...with a hole in the heel. 

 Anything good in here?

A few of our favorite things:

Okay so Xander was so fast I didn't even get a chance to see him opening his Lego Mindstorms. A great morning was had by all. 

Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas Eve is best when shared with family and friends.
This year we had a full house and I loved it!

 Even Lola made a new best friend!

We were so grateful that the Berthiaume family and the sister missionaries could join us!

 After a wonderful Mexican fiesta dinner we watched the nativity, listened to music by Alyssa on the flute and Xander on the trumpet. Then all of the kids popped open the Christmas crackers that Barbara brought. Inside were whistles that when lined up in order could play different Christmas carols.  

 She was eagerly awaiting the performance!

After a little organizing.... they played Jingle Bells (sort of...) 

We all had a good giggle!
 

After that Paul THANKFULLY collected all of the whistles and then we heard
***SILENT NIGHT***

 It was lovely after all of the "music." Good thinking Paul!

  Of course after dinner and a show there MUST be dessert!

 Are you SANTA?

Merry Christmas to ALL!

Handing over the man card?

I have had fabric that I bought way back when on a girl's trip to NYC. 

Actually since 6/19/2010. I found the recipt. I know pathetic! 

Right after I painted the dining room I found some fabric that I fell in love with. Hey maybe someone would take pity on me and help me make curtains?! So I ordered it.

The fact is that I don't sew, but I thought hey how hard can it be? So the day after Thanksgiving -this year 2011- I borrowed my sister's sewing machine. 

AND........

 it sat in the corner of my dining room collecting dust until today.

I asked Paul if he would help me figure it out so that we could get the curtains done before family and friend come tomorrow.  

The results- PERFECT!

Well not only did we get the curtains done we also made 2 pillows, fixed my scripture case cover and another pillow (I may have ripped the tag out of and split the bottom).

At one point I had 2 men working on the pillows! Yes, one is a cop. Our friend John came to pick up the kids. He was teaching Paul all about how to make pillows! I love that men sew!

 Paul was worried that he'd have to turn his man card in for sewing!

No way! I told him men who sew are HOT! 

I am thinking we make a great team! I pin and iron and HE SEWS!

Mix match day/crazy hair

School spirit week ended with a bang!

 Look at these crackpots!

First thing Xander did when he got home- WASH HIS HAIR! He hates gel and hairspray!

There is beauty all around...

Especially when you take the time to stop and appreciate it!