Christmas

Gingerbread houses:

Cookies for Santa:

Sprinkles for Ava:

Christmas Eve:

We had the Dad, Renae & Katie over for xmas eve. Linda and Mo were already here for the week. We had fondue (a tradition Brian and I started in Virginia). Then we had a little program where Jaya, Renae and Katie all played the piano. We acted out the Nativity story. Opened up new PJs and book.

Christmas Morning:

My little teenager laying on her new bed listening to her MP3 player:

Iron man:


Princess in her new tent:

Other gifts this year: A new TV (yeah! We have been using the same one since we got married.)

Wii, new phones, and cat clothes. Yes, I stayed up many nights the week before xmas making doll clothes for Snuggles and Butterscotch (Jaya favorite cat dolls). Over all I think it was a success!

Sunday Best

Yes, we were all matching for the Sunday before Christmas. I got the girls dresses at Costco ( I love Costco!) and then I made a matching vest and bow-tie for Josh and tie for dad. Just add it to my xmas project list this year!

Labor of Love

Setting: Thanksgiving weekend. Sisters talking about what they were going to get their kids for Christmas.

Melinda: "I am going to be done so early this year. I have just a couple more things to get and I am done! I would like to get the kids one more thing, a play kitchen. I have been looking and can't find the right one to fit my kids' needs... size, price, durability, etc."

Bethany: "Have you ever thought of making one? I have seen so many cute blogs with people making them. It would be so easy. Let me show you."

Melinda: "Oh my gosh! Those are so cute! I could totally do that."

Setting: Melinda leaves with mind full of can-do thoughts and how she will have all this time before Christmas because she is already done with her shopping.

Things Melinda did not consider: 1. There are only four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. 2. She has a small amount of time to work on this project while older kids are at school. 3. Melinda is pregnant and does not feel good from noon until asleep that night. 4. There are a hundred other things to do before Christmas!

So to those that know the sweat and tears from the past four weeks, here is "The Masterpiece"

Step 1: Go to every thrift store in town with your 2 year old until you find that perfect entertainment center.

Step 2: Think, worry, and finally decide on entertainment center.

Step 3: Go back to finally found perfect entertainment center (with hopes that it is still there) with trailer (and 2 & 5 year old).

Step 4: Get help to unload perfect entertainment center in the snow.

Very close to "Before" shot:

Step 5: Ask Dad if you can do it at his house!

Step 6: Get Dad to cut hole for sink.

Step 7: Try to get out very old screws. Grit teeth. Keep trying.

Step 8: Go to Lowe's (with 2 & 5 year old) and fret and worry over paint color.

Step 9: Apply first coat.

Step 10, 11 & 12: Apply more coats.

Step 13: Pray that unborn child with not have permanent brain damage.

Step 14: Have Dad make door, back splash, shelf, and anything else your heart desires. (If you haven't got one of these amazing Dads, you must go back to Step 1 and find one while at the thrift stores. Do not buy a new one. The well used ones work much better. Do not attempt this project without one.) THANKS DAD!!!

Step 15: Go to Habitat for Humanity and find old faucet and stove knobs. Use old silver bowl for sink. Coasters for the burners.Step 16: Apply more paint just because you miss the smell.

Step 17: Have Dad spray top coat while you leave the house.

Step 18: Screw on hinges.

Step 19: Go back to Lowe's and get correct hinges.

Step 20, 426: Screw on correct hinges.

Step 20,534: Spray paint phone to match. Have wicked stepmother make adorable curtains, go to Dollar Store and find matching baskets. Yes, that is a real microwave that you got back at thrift store for $10 but will not be plugging it in.

Step whatever: Jump up and down, you are finally finished!

Next step: Wait in anticipation until Christmas morning when The Masterpiece can finally be revealed.
I am not sure who loves it more, the kids or me but I look forward to many fun years with my kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids (because this will never be garage saled!).