Christmas Cuties

Bennett had his first preschool Christmas program last week.

Here they are before the program:

I was hoping to have pictures of Bennett in his little lamb outfit but my camera wouldn't cooperate with the lighting.

Bennett's listening to his teacher read a story. Notice his tie with trains on it. He was so thrilled to wear it.

Here are Kitt and Beatrice in their matching dresses from Grandma.

I told the kids to snuggle in, so cute!

Hat Class

Last week I held a free class to show my friends from my Bible study how to make a hat and scarf from a sweater.

Here' what Ashley made for here little girl, Kenzie. Isn't it cute? I can't wait to see the embellishments.

Mandy came up with this darling idea of a big flower.

Karen came up with this in a matter of minutes!

This was so exciting for me. I love having friends over and showing them how to create new things. I hope to do it again soon!

MERRY and Bright!

Oh my goodness...let it snow, let it snow! We are keeping warm around here. The snow is coming down at record speed. I'm baking gluten free brownies for Trent, decorating the house with MERRY and bright, and preparing gifts for Christmas. I think we'll have another snow day tomorrow but I sense the cabin fever may be setting in....

Christmas sweaters and Bridget

For those who have read the book or seen the movie, you may be smiling right now. My great friend Megan might be laughing. Me too. She's the best kind of friend one could have, she totally gets it. She's also a great friend for sitting with me at a show for hours on Saturday.

We had a wonderful time trying to figure out how to teach people to 'get it'...not sure we came up with anything but we did happen to see a few of those razzle dazzle Christmas sweaters! I'm still laughing.

She took these fabulous pictures of me with my stuff.

One question Megan thought I might ask my readers is, what do you like from Back At Ya Babe? I'd love your in put if you have a moment.

Here's my latest creation...it's not really a scarf but it's not a dicky....not sure what to call it. Megan's calling it a swarf! I made it out of a sweater. It's fun to wear and it keeps me warm. My sweater to hat class from Silver Bella was my inspiration for it.

THANKS MEGAN! I HAD A WONDERFUL DAY!

December 1 through Christmas

is the longest time of year!

December is a month full of love and time with family. For us, it kicks off with my dad's birthday. I'm a lucky girl to have such a wonderful dad. Happy Birthday!

Tomorrow is sweet Betty's birthday. I can't believe she will be six.

Trent's birthday is the 16th. More parties, more fun for the month of December!

It also begins counting down to Christmas and advent times at night. We love eating a piece of candy on this candy streamer until we reach the bell. My mom made one for me when I was little and when I was in college, I actually asked her to bring it to me!

We also love the license plate numbers to add to our garland.

Happy December and Happy Counting!

Still Unpacking!

That's a good thing...so many goodies in those goody bags. I'm determined to finish the projects that I didn't get done. Hopefully this weekend.

Here's how the kitchen is coming along...

This is the booth that my uncle built for the breakfast nook. Can't wait to have friends over for coffee.

No oven or stovetop yet...it's at Aunt Jo's Maytag waiting for me to cook on but the tile is looking great!

Silver Bella 2009 Part 2

I'm wondering how many Sivler Bella parts I will end up having...

The great exchange!

These are two fabulous hats I made out of sweaters, and my little snowman that clips to the tree.

And, back to life at home:

Silver Bella 2009

Unbelievable. The work, the talent, all the right brains next to you...I loved it! Here are my favorite moments:

Meeting my big sister and laughing with her...what a dear she is. I so wish I could spend more time with her. I loved sitting next to her and watching her work. A treat indeed.

Meeting Malene, taking Charlette's sweater to hat class, meeting Joy and Sandi from Southern California, and making my snowman.

I loved visiting with Chantel about being a BM siesta!

Listening to Jo and meeting her. Meeting two beautiful sisters, Carol and Elizabeth.

Walking around vendor night with my friend Megan in my gorgeous apron that Debbie made.

I know I have others but I just wanted to list a few while they were fresh in my mind and heart. I can't wait to read everyone's blogs and looking at their work. I've never felt so much at home in a hotel...it had to have been the good company that surrounded me.

Love ya bellas!

Hallelujahs

Woke up this morning after a sad day yesterday with this song playing on the radio. Hallelujahs by Chris Rice. I hadn't heard it before and found it on Itunes. It came out in 1997. Search it and listen if you haven't heard it before.

Makes me think about things...

Creation still goes on by the Almighty Creator and how can we not sing Hallelujahs for what He has created.

Thank goodness this life is just temporary and there is something better that is beyond this life. I wish I felt some of that during this time of waiting and searching...but I trust it will come. And I hang on to Hope.

Where to begin...

I have been working like a fool getting ready for a show that will be held the first Saturday in November. I've been finishing things, making and finishing new things, and starting new things in hopes of finishing them before the show. All this said, I haven't been taking pictures of anything. I priced them with cute little tags and put them in totes so they are ready to go. When I stop making something new in hopes to finish before the show, I'll take pictures. For the visual people that actually read my blog...be patient and stay tuned!

Sisters

What do 2 sisters do when they have too much fun shopping at garage sales? They have one! Here's what our ad says (Lynn wrote it):

Two sisters with serious shopping issues. All kinds of furniture, antiques, junque, and treasures. Come early, stay late! We want it gone!

Funny...I hope it doesn't rain.

Good Friends

There is nothing like a good friend. Someone who "gets" it. I have a few of these that just understand what I might like but one in particular who shops at garage sales and finds me treasures. Take a look at what she found for me and for my sister (though I have yet to share with her yet!)

This is a metal cow tag with the number 18.

And, she offered this cool desk that I am using right now and several license plates. What I like most about this Jean is our conversations about parenting. She has the best ideas. I could visit with her for hours. Such a dear. I hope you all have friends that just "get it".

I'm Done!

Here they are, 12 little packages for the Silver Bella swap...

License Plate Addict

Stranger addictions are out there...I hope. I confess, I am an addict when it comes to cutting license plates. I've been making NOEL, MERRY CHRISTMAS, LOVE, LAUGHTER, and other sayings. There has to be an end in sight...but then sweet friends find more to give me and I know I can find something new to do with them.

One of my favorites is the house number I made for my sissy. She has it hanging on her porch.

I Do

Diana and I had such a great time creating this little lovely for her wedding reception. She had found one and we created one of our own.

She ran off and got married last February but had a wedding reception last week. Isn't this beautiful? It's a hair piece and super easy to make. The reception was in a lighted tent and it was gorgeous everything.

New MacBook Pro!

Bought a new computer after my dell had a virus. I decided that 3 viruses in 5 years was enough. I'm loving this computer but have not had time to work with the photos yet...see you soon!

a thing of the past

They are so cute, so inviting...those snack sets... where women used to actually use them for coffee, baby showers...get togethers.

And now, I see them everywhere, and I get the impression women aren't using them any more, for they really are aplenty.After bringing one home from salvation armani and saying to my sissy, there has to be something we can do with this, she suggested a picture frame. Brilliant!

Can be used for Family or Friends, even Pets, and Holidays!

They sit just right in pretty plate holders.

Summer Time Fun- Birthdays, and Thomas

Where does the time go? My little ones turned 4 and 3 this summer. Bennett's big 4th birthday was held at Trails and Rails, our local train museum. He was in heaven. When told that God has a plan for his life, he says, "yes, an engineer".



Kitt's party was held in the new house. Her cousin and brother were in charge of the decorations. She enjoyed the cake as the rest of us did. A big birthday hit was the princess cell phone...the conversations she has on it are hilarious!

I had to show this...check out the ladybug boots! This was a few days before we left for China.

Two days after we closed on our old home, we ventured to see Thomas in Fremont. We didn't tell the kids where we were going and they were so surprised to see Thomas made it from Sodor. The next day we left for Story, Wyoming for a few relaxing days at the cabin. More on the cabin later.





Summer is still here until September 20, but I think mentally, we are accepting, it is fall. Bennett starts preschool in a week and a half.