Happy 2008!

Homemade Gifts

Here is a sampling of the homemade gifts we made this year. This is the first year I had the boys make something for their grandparents. Three years ago my mom and I started a new tradition of making each other an ornament or some other type of Christmas decoration instead of buying gifts.

Here are Zack and Vincent working hard on the faux stained glass window candles. We took jars I had been saving (and a few I quickly emptied and sacrificed the contents and scrubbed off labels); squares of tissue paper; and good old Elmer's glue. They made 7 of these, I was a real slave driver!

Here the boys painted ornaments... with good intentions on actually finishing and tying strings on them and giving them as gifts... but they didn't quite make it that far. Maybe we'll at least get them packed away for next year's tree.






Here are the pillows I made for my mom's gift this year. They were my first attempt at making quilting squares. Imperfections abound but I do admit, I rather enjoyed creating them and look forward to making time for one square at a time and perhaps someday I'll have enough for a blanket!



This is the ornament mom made for me this year. The photo does not do it justice. This is a cross stitch creation with wonderful detail. The santa has a traditional face, a pom pom on his hat, there are glittery threads and glass beads, for extra bling! A bell inside gives it that extra special touch. Thank you mom!


Here is an ornament she gave me the first year we started this tradition. She painted the frame and cross stitched the picture. So cute and I love having a LARGE ornament on my tree.


Here is the gift I made her last year. Its a painted ceramic snow man plate. I broke down and did it at the mud mill as I was rapidly running out of time to get a homemade gift done for her. Last year I promised myself that I would not give homemade gifts unless I had them done by Thanksgiving. And this year I did just that, I didn't give any because I didn't have them done! (With the exception of my mom's pillows). I do have a plan for Christmas 2008 and will try my hardest to get them done asap.

Christmas Photos

Here are some photos from our Christmas weekend.

The boys in front of St. Christopher's parish tree.

The goof balls outside before Christmas Eve Mass began.

Gifts from St. Nick.

Zack got a rake from Vincent.

Vincent got a drum set from St. Nick!

Jason opening Ratatouille from Vincent.

Great uncle Fernando stopped by for a spell.

Gramma Cathy playing Lincoln Logs with Zachary.

Nicene Blues

Check out this new website!

www.lovetobecatholic.com

Last night Zack and Vincent were in the First Annual Our Lady of Perpetual Help Homeschool Christmas Program. (long name!) It was a fun and delightful evening. Enjoy the pics and the video. Vincent is in the red vest and Zack is third to Vincent's right.

Vincent before the performance

Zack before the performance

Preschool/Kindergarten/1st grade group

All the kids that participated

Photo with Santa

A Christmas Meme

I found this meme over at By Sun and Candlelight. Check Dawn out, she has tons of beautiful Christmas ideas and other ideas throughout the year.

Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Wrapping, there's nothing like watching your gift being torn into by a kid than simply being pulled out of a bag.

Real tree or artificial?

Real but will probably someday cave in and buy a pre-lit, hopefully easy to set up artificial tree.

When do you put up the tree?

I try to wait till the second weekend of December.

When do you take the tree down?

The weekend after New Year's.

Favorite holiday theme?

Traditional with red, greenery, gold and silver and nativities set up here and there.

Favorite gift received as a child?

My first and only 35mm SLR camera.

Do you have a nativity scene?

Yes.

Hardest person to buy for?

My step-dad and older people that don't really want anything. (not saying you're old Ray!)

Easiest person to buy for?

My boys and Jason!

Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

Not sure, probably an article of clothing I would never wear.

Mail or email cards?

Good Old-fashioned snail mail.

Favorite Christmas movie?

A Christmas Story is hilarious.

When do you start shopping for Christmas?

Throughout the year a little but intensively, after Thanksgiving.

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Not for Christmas.

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge is an easy tradition I adopted from my step-grandmother, Esther.

White lights or colored on the tree?

colored

Favorite Christmas song?

Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

Travel for Christmas or stay at home?

Varies

Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?

No

Angel on the tree top or a star?

Angel

Open the presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

One on Christmas Eve and the rest, Christmas morning.

Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Getting overly worked and busy to enjoy time with my kids.

What I love most about Christmas?

The anticipation and the magical cheer the kids are filled with.

Say Goodbye to Wardrobe Malfunctions!

I saw this at the Pinks and Blues blog and love it!



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