Out of my bag of tricks

My inner "Molly Mormon" is coming out in me. I'm not sure if its the need to learn something new or pinching every penny that is bring out this new found hobby of mine. First the quilts now this!

The older my girls get, especially Megan, the harder they are to impress. So I've been trying to think of what I can pull out of my "bag" next to oooo and aaahhhh my girls. My SIL Stacy and family were in town for Christmas and she gave me a quick "how to make a skirt in one day" tutorial. With her help, we whipped out this little baby...

BUT, I can't have one new skirt for three girls...you can imagine the drama that would bring. So off to my new favorite craft spot to pick up some more fabric. Emily was easy to please. Megan took a bit longer. In the end we came home and made these..

I'm really diggin this sewing thing! Who knows what will come next!

FOUR

They know me in a way

no one else ever has.

They open me to things

I never knew existed.

They drive me to insanity

and push me to my depths.

They are the beat of my heart,

the pulse in my veins,

and the energy in my soul.

They are

my kids.

I marvel at the four miracles that are mine.

Quilts 101

In about October I came up with a brilliant idea to make quilts for my girls for Christmas. I thought.. I've got some time on my hands and a few months to get them done, why not. So off to fabric store I went. Mind you, I have NEVER made a quilt before but thought it couldn't be that hard! We'll I did it. I finished the girls and then didn't want Shayne to be left out so...

All four in their new quilts.

Megan and Emily share a room so naturally...matching was a must!

Ashley

Emily

Megan

Shayne

So, I guess I really did learn something from my Grandma! Grandma Emma is the real seamstress in the family...but someday with LOTS of practice, I hope to catch some of her talent! The kids have overlooked my little "oops" in each quilt. I prefer to call it quilts with character!

My young prodigies

Shayne, Megan, Emily and Ashley

Following in their mother's footsteps....my children LOVE to cook! YEAH!! Tonight they cooked for us one of Todd's favorite desserts....hot chocolate pudding with mint ice cream. Todd grew up eating this yummy favorite and he is SO happy that his kids can now make it for him! Good stuff!

Way to go Shayne..

We finished up with the last band concert of the year. Shayne is playing the trumpet again this year. He's following in Todd's footsteps except I don't think he'll play the trumpet into his high school years.

Todd's brother Kevin and his wife Laura were in town so they along with Grandpa and Grandma Smith came for the show.

We are so proud of Shayne for sticking with the trumpet...even though it is NOT his favorite thing!

Christmas or Fall?

A typical December day in Arizona..... a pile of fallen leaves with Christmas decorations. Got to love Arizona!

Seeing Red and Green

I love Christmas time. I love everything about it...the lights, the smells, the cheer, the colors, the giving, the reflection. I'm pretty one sided with my holiday loves. Christmas is far and away my favorite. From the time our tree goes up until the sad day when it comes down, I love it!

Our Tree..

the staircase (with Ashley)

We have a tradition, I guess, in our home that I hang the lights outside and inside for that matter. Todd has few things in life that he hates. Hanging Christmas lights and Disneyland top his lists of "things I hope to never do in my lifetime" with not many other things below them. Sad huh? I mean WHO doesn't like those two things?? I actually don't mind. I get out the ladder and get to it. Because we have to have Christmas lights! My neighbors aren't quit sure how he "trained' me to do this. I've only almost fell off the roof 1 year. 1 out of 6 years..that's not to bad if you ask me!

So for the rest of the month I'm counting on the smells, sights and sounds that only happen at this time of year!