Christmas (a month late...)

On Christmas Eve, we load up the littles and head over to my Aunt's house for some food and fun before going to the Christmas Eve Candle Light Church Service.

This year  The Girl seemed to understand ...

and seeing her bubble with excitement just may be the cutest thing I have ever seen!

The Boy was super excited too, but he seemed to be able to contain it a little better...

...that was until he opened THE "McQueen Game!"

(thank you Nonnie!)

And this moment at Church made me cry.

Cliff really understands that Christmas is about celebrating Jesus's Birthday so that we can all be saved and that makes us so proud!

WAY too early Christmas morning, I heard "Mama... Daddy... GET UP!"

Two excited little feet and the squeaky wheel from Cliff's walker echoed down the hallway...

This moment is priceless.

Ross and I sat back ,video camera in his hand, Nikon in mine and watched the littles discover all the fun new toys Santa left for them!



Seriously, there is nothing like a Christmas Morning face:



Harper squealed with delight as she flipped through the pages of "Shoe-la-la!"

She has a serious obsession with shoes that does not seem to go away!



 In the middle of going through their stockings, this happened.

As a tear slid down my cheek, I smiled behind the camera and prayed that God will nourish their relationship as they grow so that they will always be best friends.

Moments like this are what life is about.

Cliff was thrilled to open boat shoes "just like Daddy!"



Then it happened.

 Elmo and DeDe (Ross's parents) came over with a HUGE surprise for Cliff...

Yep.

"A Ranger just like Daddy's!"

...After a little instruction they were off..

and everyday since Cliff takes Harper on a "Ranger Ride!"

Seriously, this is the BEST toy Cliff has ever had - it keeps them in one place and entertains them for HOURS!

(Thank you DeDe and Elmo!)

The Girl got a crib for her babies...



...and a highchair too...

but in her mind she IS the baby and so the poor babydoll got the boot and Harper did this:



This Christmas was so special.

So much fun!

We are so blessed!



Merry Christmas!

(...a little late!)

Johnny In A Dress {On A Break}

They need me...

...and so does he!

I have decided to take a little break and unplug for a while.

Don't worry...

I will be back soon!

Happy New Year!

FYI, I will be updating a little on Facebook and Twitter!

Merry Christmas!



{Picture via JK Photography, Card via Little Miss Missy}

{Christmas} with Seamingly Smitten

Hi Everyone!

I'm Jenny from Seamingly Smitten!

Over at my blog you can find TUTORIALS such as

Girl's Skirt

Ruffled Scarf

Summer Swimsuit (Featured on CRAFT GOSSIP)

If you LOVE to sew and try new patterns, you will HAVE to check out our sewing pattern company!

We are called Seamingly Smitten and are growing everyday!

Currently we have 8 PDF sewing patterns and 4 on the way.

Seamingly Smitten Sewing Patterns - CLICK HERE

And GUESS WHAT? We also specialize in WOMEN'S PATTERNS! If you think sewing for your little girls and boys, nieces and nephews or grandchildren is fun...wait until you sew something for YOURSELF! Once you start, I have to warn you, it's ADDICTING :)

Want to see what we have for YOU? Check it out!

Women's Ruffle Collar Cape - LOVING it on Natalie!!

Ruffled Collared Cape for Girls

Ruffled Collared Cape for Girls

Your most basic Classic A-Line Dress

No buttons, zippers or frills!

Every beginner to advanced sewer will LOVE this on their little one!

LADIES...The Ruffled Women's Tunic...HOTTEST pattern for ladies!

Recently released - Miss Mod Top...SUPER SUPER TRENDY!

Any lady would LOVE to make this or get this as a gift!

Ruffled Collared Cape for Girls (this is my little girlie!)...Yes, she LOVES wild colors!

Ruffled Halter Dress for Girls...Show off 2 fabrics here!

You can check them out here!

Pattern Shop HERE

Christmas TUTORIAL TIME!

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Is everyone ready for Christmas? Our house is gearing up and these cute faces CANNOT WAIT til Christmas morning! My two sweet babies (aren't they always babies in a Momma's eyes?) are so sweet and have way too many toys to count (thanks Grandparents!) so Santa is going to surprise them with a little playhouse to enjoy ALL YEAR LONG! You won't find too many knick-knack toys under our tree this year.

Since I LOVE to sew and love things handmade, I thought I would share with you this

QUICK and EASY

Firewood Holder!

Every year during Christmas does the same question go around and around in your mind? You know, the one that sounds like, "What am I going to get my husband (or boyfriend, grandfather, man in your life...). He hates clothes!" Well, I have a GREAT item you can actually MAKE in less than 20 minutes! And, it's a perfect guy gift - rough, rugged and useful!

Gather supplies:

1 thrifted pair of XXL men's pants (poly/cotton blend...something sturdy. It felt like outerwear - something that could wipe off easily.)

AND

3 and 3/4 yard nylon straps

COST: $5.00 TOTAL!

Pants were $3.50 at the thrift store and I used a Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon for my nylon straps.

Woo-hoo for saving money when crafting!!

*I was going to use outdoor fabric, but didn't see anything manly enough. 

When I saw these pants I had to have them! 

OR

7/8 yard of heavy duty fabric

(ex: denim, curduroy, duck, canvas, outdoor fabric) - you can make 2 holders out of this

3 and 3/4 yard nylon straps per firewood holder

1. Gather supplies.

2. Fold the pants in half lengthwise and cut off the legs.

3. Lay them side by side but facing opposite directions. They fit together like a puzzle.

4. Lay right sides together and pin one long seam.

5. Sew along the pinned edge using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Open up and straighten each short end. Use a straight edge and some scissors.

6. Hem each short side 1 inch.

7. Lay your firewood carrier right side UP. Place your straps where you would like them. I placed mine 3 inches away from each side.

8. Sew around both sides of the nylon straps.

 Put some wood in it and get ready for a crackling fire!!

 These would look GREAT monogrammed and given as gifts to all those men that you love!

If you used fabric (and not thrifted pants) you will have enough left over to make another firewood carrier!!

Easy to hold! Fun to use!

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!

Have fun crafting and creating!

Stop on by Seamingly Smitten to check out our

Sew Crafty Christmas blogging event.

You can WIN 3 FREE Seamingly Smitten patterns HERE!

Happy Sewing!

Thanks for having me, Natalie!

Ornament Exchange {Party}

Because this year is not CRAZY enough, I decided to invite a fun group of littles over and host an ornament exchange!

...only to realize the night before that I do not KNOW how to orchestrate an ornament exchange...

So, I called Jill  and said with panic in my voice "Ummm so you know that ornament exchange I am having at my house in the morning?!... I have NO CLUE how to do an ornament exchange!" Of course in true Jill fashion she assured me "Don't worry! I will handle that part for you! I will make numbers and ....." She saved the day!

With the ornament exchange part of the ornament exchange party taken care of, I was able to focus on the food prep:

Before I knew it, the house was filled with the sweetest little faces on this planet:

...And they were all on their way to have the sugar high of 2011!

The boy was thrilled to see his preschool teacher from last year!

He LOVES Miss Holly!

The littles made Reindeer Food and colored Christmas cutouts...

They took this task VERY seriously!

Seriously, does it get any cuter than this?!

After bellies were full and the littles played it was time for Jill to handle the part that everyone came for... The Ornament Exchange!

Each little one got their number and the ornaments were passed out!

The excitement on their faces totally made my day!  

A loud, crazy house full of sweet friends and their babies made me so happy.

I thought my house was about to burst at the seams with all of the chaos, laughter, chatter and smiles! 

{My sweet friend Mandy from Twice Blessed}

I could see on Harper's face that every moment seemed magical!

Then it happened...

THE group picture.

This was the best we could manage - even though there were about about 8 littles missing!



 (I really hope they aren't scared for life... this was traumatizing for most of them...)

 As mama's and their children began to trickle out, Harper had a chance to play in her room with her BFF from preschool!

Everyone seemed so worried about the "mess," but I wasn't concerned because Harper had it all taken care of... and a little mess is worth the memories and fun!

Merry Christmas!