Frandtastic!

Handmade Christmas
This year I tried to think of gifts I could make instead of buy. I didn't do much, but I made a few things and really enjoyed it. One morning I was so excited to sew that I woke up 5:30 am and couldn't fall back asleep, so I went down stairs, lit my crackley-like-a-fireplace candle and sewed in those wee hours. Some of the end results:

A purple courdory stuffed Hippo for Baby Kate.
This was my first adventure in handsewing, and I was really happy with it. I think Kate likes it too. 

A little lumpy in this picture.. he wasn't quite stuffed all the way.

  
A bird mobile for Baby Audrey.
My brother and his wife had a baby due on December 21st. Best luck was that this packaged arrived on that day, it made me happy that it got there to cheer them up a bit - this little Audrey came a several days later. Kimberly did such a great job with the nursery and I think it fits right in. (Thanks for sending pictures of its place in the room Eric and Kimberly!)

These little birdies were also hand sewn - pattern is here. I also made on more little bird for my work Christmas exchange. The co-worker I had is really into birding, and he and his wife decorate a Christmas tree with all bird ornaments. I made a smaller version of the pattern and put a little loop for tree hanging.




Since we were visiting some of our nephews and niece for Christmas, Paul helped me make some presents for them too. The jet packs got really smushed in transit, but I just had to pretend it made them look rustic and awesome. The boys loved them, and so did Ellee! Ellee's handmade gift was a princess crown, but she liked the rockets more, which was fine with me. 



Tiny forests:
 I made three sets of tiny felt trees (thanks for the scraps Val!) as little add-on gifts for my mom, Celeste, and Demi.  This picture I took is quite terrible, but it was very late at night and I still had a LOT to do to get things ready to ship the next day. Oh the trials of East coast living when your family is all in the West.


My goal for next year. More handmade! Starting earlier in the year. It made me feel like Mrs. Claus and I loved it.

When we landed in Chicago, we were greeted by a van full of some of our favorite people! Devn and Abby, plus their three kids and Paul's mom Donna were all there to pick us up.
When we got to their cute home, Ellee gave me a tour and then showed me this nice welcome note she wrote for us.


The day after Christmas we headed to the zoo...


Greggy and Paul matched with their gingham and gray v-neck sweaters.

After lunch we headed into the city - first to visit Devn at the hospital where he's doing his fellowship, and then into downtown to check out the sights. First stop (after some drama when I lost, then had my iPhone returned to me on the "L")- the bean!


We walked down to Lake Michigan, and then decided the kids (and us) were too cold and headed back to the train.
 
Meanwhile in Chicago, I discovered that freshly-bathed boys in monster towels are definitely the best.

On Saturday, Paul fulfilled his life long dream of going to a Bulls game. Beforehand we drove all over trying to find some Bull's shirts.  It was worth it when we found an awesome one for Devo. Too bad Paul's shrunk upon first washing.

Sunday, Will couldn't get over how handsome he looked (I look hannnnsome). And Ellee wore the dress from our wedding reception (handed down from an older cousin). :)


It was so fun to watch these kids play and love each other. This was their great plan to trap themselves in an overturned chair.

Ellee lost her loose front tooth on New Years Eve! I loved witnessing that smile and subsequent lisp.

Will knows how to do it on New Years Eve. Chug! Chug!

The rest of our time there was nice and relaxed, reading, playing video games, resting and getting over some colds. Abby and Devn (and the kids) were so good to us and I want to go back asap.

We didn't even have to be too sad about coming home, because the next day we had the best visitors from DC - Kurt and Julie! I didn't get to spend a whole lot of time with them because I had to work, but Paul was a great tour guide during the day, and the evenings we had great fun and conversations. I really like those two.

A very abbreviated version of some holiday fun.

Thanksgiving in the Woods.
We had a lovely Thanksgiving in PA with Paul's sister's family. She also invited a few of their friends, and we ended up having quite a group - too many for one house - so we headed to their Stake property and had Thanskgiving in the Woods. It turned out great. Smoking sausage over the fire, drinking sparkly drinks out of goblets, and even making 40 (FOURTY!) pounds of mashed potatoes was a good time in the kitchen.








Christmastime in New Jersey
Since we didn't leave to Chicago until Christmas Eve, we had lots of nice Christmas activities before we left. We had a "friend party" with a bunch of the young couples in a ward. Thank the heavens we aren't alone in that situation anymore. Since we've moved in, about 7 other couples have moved in! The best news of the night was when my friend Kristin bought her handbell set and we had all sorts of holiday song fun with those babies.

The Saturday before Christmas Paul and I went to see the Nutcracker at the State Theatre. I hadn't been to this ballet since I was little, and Paul had never been. It was fun, fancy date night for us - and fun to experience what our local theater has to offer.



On the 23rd of December we had a Festivus party with a few of our friends, but alas no pictures to share. Paul said I got a little party-happy in December, but how can you not? So much to celebrate!