Saturday, December 31, 2011

Reflecting on 2011...

Preston, Jack, Brody and Landon fishin' at the neighborhood pond one afternoon during Christmas break.

Friday, December 30, 2011

"Look, Ma — clean hands!"

Now that he's mastered going potty all by himself, Landon proves he can wash his hands all by himself, too.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Lack of Pinterest

But I do appreciate it for inspiring and showcasing domestic creativity...

Turning an ordinary placecard holder into an extra-ordinary photo holder.

This Scripture reading from our wedding, without the actual passage citation (Ruth 1:16-17), kind of makes it look like a poem. But now I'm afraid Landon thinks, "Well if Dad gets to write on the wall..."

In case you have some extra macaroni, penne and rotelle laying around...

I took down the boys' artwork, and hung up past Christmas cards of our own through the years.

When our friends Joan & Craig painted their entire house before moving in, I got one of their paint chips and turned it into a little housewarming gift.

Jack's magazine origami from Bob & Lloy's house.

This dried okra would also work well with the pointy side up, as Santa's red hat.

Rethinking the wall sconce.

These boughs, hedge apples and pinecones were all completely free.

Trying to camouflage the thermostat.

I realize I've posted this picture before, but here's the ornament I made for Rob & Tracee after cutting up their wedding invitation.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Putting the G-ma & G-pa in X-mas

Before putting away the Christmas decorations, it's neat to notice the number of things we have from my grandma and grandpa.

Several years ago, G-pa crafted this creche for Leslie's nativity figurines — complete with a sandpaper floor, glittery blue water trough and lead rope hanging from a peg.

It wasn't till after taking this pic that I thought about the antique duck decoy (on the far left) being from them, too.

The tree skirt that matches our stockings.

On this mobile, hanging in our loft, you can better see the details of each individual sequin and bead.


After reading my own blog post here, I realize I don't just love these things because they're each from G-ma & G-pa, but because they're each made by G-ma & G-pa.

That's just how they've always done things.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Whaddya think this is, Christmas?!?

I found myself saying that quite a bit the past two days. (As in Jack getting to stand on the leather ottoman — "Whaddya think this is, Christmas?!?")

Dana and Kathy met us at church Christmas Eve, where Leslie sang on the worship team and I read the Scripture readings.

One of our traditions is that the boys get to open new pajamas on Christmas Eve ... and then have their picture taken in them.

Landon's excited to have Papa & Nana here and stay up late — "Whaddya think this is, Christmas?!?"

On my way home from the 11 p.m. Christmas Eve service at church, I snapped a pic of the Christmas lights in our backyard.

After setting out all the gifts ("Not a creature was stirring..."), I took a quick pic before going to bed. And, yes, the clock says 3:34.

Jack was SO excited to have gotten Leslie this gift, was really proud of wrapping it all by himself and couldn't wait for her to open it on Christmas morning.

I realize he's blurry, but Landon was too excited to hold still — "Whaddya think this is, Christmas?!?"

A set of big, hardback Lego books from Grandma Nancy!

A Buzz Lightyear snuggie!

Practicing with packing-peanut "snow." It made a mess throughout the family room, but — "Whaddya think this is, Christmas?!?"

Playing the iPad with Papa Dana.

And relaxing in the afternoon, with a little Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Glory to God in the highest!

Or in Latin, "Gloria" in eggshells, see?

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Baking with the boys

Today was Jackson's first day of Christmas break, and Leslie texted these pictures to me at work. I replied, "No matter how good they taste, making these memories will still be better than the cookies."








With this one, they wrote "Guess which one is yours?!?"

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Enjoying the Christmas spirit(s)

At my company Christmas party on the Country Club Plaza.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Why Landon was so quiet upstairs


But the sink did smell minty fresh!

Friday, December 16, 2011

How we spent our summer vacation

You might think it’s taken me this long to finally post some pics from our week in San Diego in August, but I prefer to think of it as a perfectly timed respite from these cold December temps.

Either way, here’s a glimpse of our annual family vacation...