starry wall

I think by now, you know I love stars.

well, I hit a couple of stores on Boxing day,
and these are the three things I brought home.
I love them.
I hung them up in my craft room.
oh, I never told you?
Cory gave me a whole room for christmas-
well, sort of.
I moved some of my stuff out of my 'closet'
and into a whole big room.
I still have more moving to do.
and cleaning- and then-
let the crafting begin!

ps. that beautiful fruit is from Edible Arrangements.
she didn't make it-
well, she sort of did- she works there-
but we are saving all the picks and stuff so we can make another one some day.
or I am saving them to give to her, so she can make me another one some day.
right, Shelley?

good morning

this is what we had for breakfast on Sunday morning.
so yummy!
thanks Shelley!

The last 2 days in thirteen pictures.

1. Christmas eve- Pajama's. Ben ended up switching with Jack- Jack's pants fit Ben, bens were too small, I don't think Ben's fit Jack though- he is super skinny. and Jed hasn't taken his off since that night. nice.

2. Christmas morning. before the mayhem.3. the stockings were resting all comfy on the couch. 4.after the mayhem.5. here are the people. can you tell who is who? Cory's guy should really be much thinner. too bad mine is in the back. you should see my curves. ooh lala.6. this is my dad. he's not too nerdy, but the shirt was so funny.

love ya, dad.7. Ben's big day was yesterday. 13. a teenager. I can't believe it.

8. my family put those candles on that keep lighting up after you blow them out. it was so funny.

so, so funny.

9. I think his fingers are now permanently attached.

10. my new slippers. should I be worried that one of my sons helped pick them out?

11. When Maggie saw this kitchen she said it was just what she wanted.

I love that!

12. On Christmas eve some of us played a bunch of Wacky Six. I have never seen it up here- but if you are in the states, I would highly reccomend this game. it is so fun. and I won. extra good!

13. love it.

Merry Christmas!

for friends and neighbors-

I like to get creative with our gifts to friends and neighbors.
it is hard coming up with new things-
but thank goodness for the internet.
limitless ideas.
just need to spend hours looking and finding.
see, all that time isn't really wasted.
haha.

so, anyways, this year, I got my idea from Bobbi jo.
a while ago she had posted a recipe for a cheese ball that she made at her church craft day.
sounded delicious, so I made some.
I am not sure what it is really called- so I will call it christmas cheese ball.
1 pkg chocolate chips
1c hard peppermint candies- I used candy canes
2c pecans
blend it all up in your blender or food processer-
then add 1/2 c of the mix to 8 oz of softened cream cheese.
I used 4 blocks of cream cheese, and divided them in half- and I still have tons of mix left.
guess what I am taking to my mom's on Christmas eve!
so, it goes a really long way. and is so good- on graham crackers. yum

I wrapped up the balls in saran wrap, then put them in a christmas bag from the dollar store- you know those clear kind, then punched a hole in the top of a pack of graham crackers, and tied them up with a tag that said- we hope your Christmas is sweet, not cheesy, and we really hope you have a ball.
I meant to take a picture, but they all got delivered last night!

thanks Bobbi jo,
and thank you internet!

What smells good in the kitchen at Christmas?

- is it-
a. gingerbread cookies?

or b. winter bark?

(white chocolate melted, with pretzels and smarties thrown in- cooled, then broken up into bits- so good) no- of course not, it's your nose, silly!

my kids have been reading us a book of holiday jokes.

so silly, indeed.

anyways, on Friday we had some visitors spend the night- cory's brother and 4 of his kids were in the city for an appointment for one of the kids, so they came and slept at our place.

then in the morning they were heading off to West Edmonton Mall to spend some time at Galaxy land, so Cory took 4 of my kids and joined them.

so Maggie and I had another day to ourselves.

we did some baking- pictured above,

and I had the girls room so clean-

although you wouldn't even know I had done a thing in it now.

and I finished washing and wrapping up Ben's birthday quilt.

I think he will like it.

I put 2 layers of batting in the middle, so it is thick and warm- with red flannel on the back.

nice!

so, today- well we had a bit of a sleep-in. yay, but now, must get to work- and get those kids to work.

oh, and in case you were wondering- for today- the tenth day of Christmas, I am going to make grasshopper pie- because they leap- just like the lords a leaping.

works for me!

baby, It's cold outside.

Kayli- the house tutorial is found here.
the roads are slippery- so I am not going out visting teaching-
to a town 20 minutes away-
wimpy me, I know,
so I am going to stay home and bake and craft
and just get stuff done.
so exciting,
I know!

12- or 13 things about Christmas!

1. today I spent the morning at the school helping with crafts. Usually they just put the helpers in one room, and the kids rotate through the crafts- so the way it was, I would never have seen Sadie, but one mom from another room wanted to switch to be with her kid, so I got to go and help Sadie. good times with the white glue!

2.Here is Maggies house. I ended up sewing it up a bit wrong- the elastics and the buttons should be on the opposite sides, but hey, it all works!

3. oh, you want to see inside?

okay, here is a peek.

kind of bare.

oh, and I still haven't sewn on the flower buttons. I just put them where they will be sewn. soon.

4. Christmas concert yesterday.

this was the finale, with the whole school

crazy stuff.

once again they ended with the hallelujah corus.

love it!

5. so, I was reading on a blog, and she had a great idea for the 12 days of Christmas- to do with your family, but of course, by the time I found this it was the end of the first day, so I jumped in on the second day-

6. 2 turtle doves- well, we made turtles. sort of.

you take a pretzel- I love the squarish ones you get at superstore- they hold the toppings well, then you put a rolo on, melt them a bit in the oven-

I didn't quite melt them enough, but all is well-

then you put a pecan on top.

yumm-o!

7. third day of Christmas- well, we had french toast for breakfast, of course!

I did make some french bread for supper, but it was nothing to write about. really.

sad. I need to work on my bread making skills. 8. well, the fourth day was a write off. that was the day I lost. I didn't do anything that day.

Jack even made supper for everyone- he cooked spagetti and heated up the sauce. he did a great job.

not sure what I would have done anyways. gotta get thinking on that for next year!

9. but the fifth day- all was better.

five golden rings-
yep, homemade doughnuts. so delish.

10. well, today, 6th day, (geese a laying) I think I will make some devilled eggs- to go with the leftovers the family is having for supper-

(I am going to a relief society Christmas dinner!)

7th day- (swans a swimming) I am going to check into the public swim times, but tomorrow is a bit crazy, so I am not sure if we can fit that in- but we will have chicken for supper, and call it swan.

is that awful?

yes, I know. maybe we can go swimming on Saturday. I am sure the kids would be okay with that!

8-(maids a milking)- I am thinking yummy milkshakes

9 (ladies dancing) not sure. play music loud and have a big dance session?

could be fun

10- (lords a leaping)- once again not too sure. any great ideas?

11- (pipers piping) ?

12- (drummers drumming)- well drumsticks - the icecream kind, for sure!

wow. I had better get those other days figured out, pronto.

11. and then it will be Christmas.

wow.

12. must get the teacher gifts assembled tonight.

just doing something simple I found on a blog- of course!

I dipped some marshmallows in chocolate, then along with some plain ones in a cute bag, attach some hot chocolate packets, a candy cane and a tag, and that is that!

13. I need to stop reading blogs-

stop getting more ideas of crafts, and decorations,

and recipies!

there's just not enough time in the day!

less reading, more action!

off I go!

lost.

wow.
I lost a day.
yesterday I felt yucky. all day.
sat on the couch bundled up, or lay in my bed-
trying to sleep,
never before have I had so many phone calls in an afternoon,
except yesterday when I was trying to sleep.
Sadie was sick- very sick- all the day before,
then I guess Ben and I caught it.
he was lying around with me all day.
I got nothing done.
absolutely nothing.
and now , I need to work double time to try to make up for it!
This afternoon and this evening is the kids school Christmas concert.
I can't wait!
and I am mostly done Maggies house- I just need to sew on a few flower buttons.
show and tell tomorrow!

10 days

what?
only 10 days left?
I think my list is getting longer, not shorter.
I started the little house for Maggie- I think it will be super cute-
just need to finish the binding on Ben's quilt-
almost done another scarf for a nephew.
I am getting there.

oh, and if I ever am considering it next year,
please remind me how much I don't like doing craft sales.
the one I went to on Saturday had more people with tables there selling stuff, than came in to buy. sad. very sad.
but I did get a lot of work done on the scarf.
so I guess it wasn't a completely wasted day.
okay, I think I will head downstairs, and see if I can make some progress on the little house.
Sadie is home sick today. poor little thing.
and because a post always needs a picture- or at least it helps,
here are the girls decorating the tree-
a fuzzy picture taken a couple of weeks ago. are you ready for Christmas yet?

tagged

I was tagged by my friend Karalee to do the 5 is great Christmas edition tag-
so here we go!

favorite Christmas movies:
Elf
The Christmas Story
The Grinch (cartoon one)
I'll be home for Christmas
Charlie Brown's Christmas

5 Things that happened yesterday:
shopped
bought pizza
had a bubble bath
watched survivor and the office
wrapped presents

5 things to look forward to:
ward Christmas dinner tomorrow
Christmas day
Christmas morning- excited kids
sleeping in when the kids have no school
baking and eating Christmas treats

5 things on my wish list:
well behaved children
a clean house
a double bagged vacuum cleaner (haha)
chocolate
a new treadmill

5 things I love about winter/Christmas:
the lights
hot chocolate
big fluffy snowfalls
sitting by the warm fire
reading kids Christmas books

5 people I tag: Andrea, Shelley, Taryn, Joanne, and Aunt Darlene

the latest

1. I'd like to say my kids are being much better now.
but they aren't.

2. I went out today to finish my Christmas shopping.
I got a few things for Christmas, but more non Christmas related stuff.
I am not done- but I am out of ideas.

3. I am doing a craft sale on Saturday. it is supposed to be -25.
I don't think anyone will come.

4. I am waiting until closer to Christmas to do some baking-
because if I do it now, it will be gone in about 2 days.
not good.

5. I have to go to the school tomorrow to help 2 of my kids make gingerbread houses. this is not my favorite thing.
all the kids (and me too) eat way too much candy.
it takes forever. not so fun

6. but the kids love it.

7. man, I am sounding grinchy today.

8. I think I need a nap.

9. but that won't happen because the kids will be home from school in about 10 minutes.
then the madness begins!

10. wow, my mind is blank. I can't think of any fun, clever things to share with you today.

11. the kids are now coming home- it has taken me that long to think about things to write!

12. so, one of my stops today was to Old Navy- I picked up some black dress pants for Ben- all they had was one husky pair his size- and he isn't really a husky guy. I bought them- we shall see how they fit.

13. and there was some really cute girl sweaters- but the one I wanted in Sadie's size wasn't on the shelf, so I checked a mannequin- and there it was, the sweater in her size- so a worker girl took it off for me- after pulling the poor things arms off. Maggie was amazed. Hope Sadie likes it!

a letter

Dear Santa,

I know this is a busy time of the year for you,

so I know a way to save you a bit of time on Christmas eve.

you might not have to even stop at my house this year.

you see, my kids have been quite rotten lately.

I asked Sadie to do a quick tidy of the livingroom this morning so that I could vacuum. and she never did.

I asked Ben to sweep the dining room floor. I don't think it has been done for a couple of days. and he didn't.

I asked Jack to pick up his pants and sweater that have been in the livingroom for a day or two. and he didn't.

now, I do some cleaning around here, don't get me wrong,

but we do give our kids a few jobs, and expect them to help out.

but I am getting very little help. sadly.

so, unless they start helping out around here, I am not sure that you need to make a stop here.

I do hope things change, because we will be baking up some yummy cookies, and will have a glass of eggnog ready, in case the kids change their ways.

hoping to see you soon,

Kristi

ps. this kind of makes my house sound like a pigsty.

well, I already swept, and tidied, and will be vacuuming shortly.

just so you know.

and I did clean the bathrooms and do laundry yesterday.

I do do some work around here!

the weekend

well, we are done with birthdays-
for a couple of weeks, anyways.
here is the happy birthday boy. then, on Sunday, we had our annual
all the Thomsens come to the Livingstone's house for dinner,
then we attend the First presidency's Christmas Devotional,
then someone special comes to our house.
see the look of fear in her eyes?
that can only mean one thing.yep, Santa came.
see her crying.
that is what she did the whole time he was here.
hid and cried.
good times.
quite hilarious- to the rest of us.
I just think we are so very lucky to have a personal visit from the big guy!

Jack

Jack in his bed
in his bright green room
with his new duvet and cover. He likes it.
now, I think the poor boy needs a bed frame.

birthdays-part 2

yesterday was the big day
the real day
the birthday(s)
but we didn't hit a 7-11,
but I guarantee you we will sometime this year-
while they are still 7 and 11 and I will take a picture.
because I think that is so fun.
anyways,
here are the birthday kids-
sadie is on the left- in the dark shadows, Jack on the right
and Maggie in the middle, of course.
where she always is.
there are 11 candles, and a sparkler shaped like a 7.
fun.
and it was so yummy
and the good news,
we only ate half, so we have the other half for tonight.
and Jack wants another ice cream cake for his party.
um-
okay!

but, before the cake- after school I asked the kids if they wanted to go see the creche.
creche? what is that?
I saie- let's go see!
so we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's church to see the nativities-
I don't know how impressed the kids were, but I loved it!
I took pictures of a few of my favorites-

the top left is a stitched one. I love it. if I could get my hands on that pattern I would so make it.
top right was in the kids room. just fun
bottom left was a puzzle one. so neat!
and the bottom right was a teeny tiny one.
there were so many great ones.
It made me want to start collecting nativities.
there are so many beautiful, and interesting ones out there!

anyways,- Maggie is off at a friends house, and here I am, on the computer.
shame on me.
I must get off! I was actually trying to paint those wooden people, and needed a little inspiration. yikes. I am scared how they will turn out!
she won't really mind how they look, right?
that is what I am trying to convince myself!

woah

thursday thirteen had slipped my mind!
too busy making yummy ice cream cake!
so, since I am totally making my lists and checking them twice-
here is thirteen things from my vast list that need to be done pronto!

1. need to paint the people I bought from here
they are for Maggie for Christmas- enough to be our family.
now I need to make them look like our family.
and I am not a painter. yikes.

2. I am thinking I want to make this for those little people.
I would have loved that when I was little.
I keep forgetting to buy the plastic stuff for them everytime I am at Walmart. maybe Walmart doesn't even have that. I will have to remember to look the next time I am there.

3. I need to get my Christmas picture/cards mailed out.
Karalee- if you read this, I need your address!

4. need to re-knit a hat for my brother-in-law. I had it done,
but apparently it is not sophisticated enough for his taste.
this is what my husband tells me.
anyone know any great, sophisticated, easy men hat patterns?
anyone?

5. need to make one more hat for one nephew. I don't think he will be too picky. I don't think he even keeps hats on his head. should be easy.

6.need to baste together Ben's birthday quilt, and quilt it.

7. need to get wrapping.

8. need to make some reindeer chow. yummy.

9. need to dip some pretzels in white chocolate. also very yummy.

10. need to find what I want for Cory. I have started looking, but apparently I am not looking in the right places. yikes.

11. want to make new stockings. this may or may not happen, depending how much time I have and how much desire I have to make them all. we don't need them, I just am ready for something new.

12. need to get our outside lights hooked up. tonight.

13.totally not Christmas related, but I need to fold a bunch of laundry and get it put away.
good times!

birthdays- part 1

Sadie's party.

the cake was homemade- from scratch.

and sadly- not all that good.

but it looked pretty.

crazy kids- decorating cookies like icing is going out of style.

a crazy hour and a half,

but a pile of great presents, so I guess it was all good.

birthdays -part 2 continues today

I have to take cupcakes over to Sadie's class today

Jack took his with him this morning.

an ice cream cake to be made

pizza to be ordered-

and Cory has promised them a trip to 7 11,

since Sadie is turning 7 and Jack is now 11.

what a clever man.

must take pictures of that!

then part 3 is on Saturday with Jack's party.

such fun.

things I am loving

-loving that when Maggie was eating this sucker- from the Santa Claus parade she told me it looked like a heart.

too cute.

and loving that she let me take a picture!

-loving that our Christmas tree got put up yesterday.

I think we need more decorations though. I am thinking some of those ball ornaments- but not glass ones, I am thinking more plastic- or anything unbreakable-in some fun colors- pink and green and blue. that would be fun.

- loving that it is birthday time this week.

two kids on one day. fun. that means lots of cake and ice cream. yum.

and they both want the same cake on their birthday- ice cream cake.

the best of both worlds.

- loving that I am done Jack's blanket.

one thing checked off of my list!

-loving that my sister was getting some pictures developed at Costo-

(ones that I took)

and they called her because they thought they were professional.

love it!

-loving that I have so many crafts and stuff that need to be made.

I was hoping I would be done them all before December, but then what would I do all this month? I love having little things to do.

and my list is still quite long.

must get busy!

Christmassy!

today was our city's annual santa claus parade.
fun stuff.
a bit of candy.
cold wind blowing,
but no snow-
yet.
then our ward had a "night in Bethlehem"
we got some coins to buy food and some goods.
like weird glasses.
really weird glasses.

and necklaces.

they were kind of a big hit with a bunch of the kids.

crazy.

crazy christmas fun!

Thankful thirteen

Since it is thanksgiving in the States, I thought I would devote my thursday thirteen to things I am thankful for.

1. I am thankful, and I am pretty sure Cory is too, that I don't live in the states where they have black Friday.
because I am pretty sure I would be up at the crack of dawn to go out and find the bargains and spend way too much money.
okay- maybe I am a bit sad I don't. but one of these years I am going to come down and experience it for myself!

2. I am thankful that I have found some really good hiding spots for gifts I have bought.
okay, maybe too good.
now if only I could remember where they are.

3. I am thankful for technology.
ipods, internet, all that great stuff.
now if only I could figure some of that out.

4. I am thinkful there is no snow. no shovelling, no bad roads.
but that also means no sledding party for Jack's birthday next week. darn it.
I was hoping for that- how easy!
sled for an hour or so, come back to hot chocolate and cake, open presents- whala. but no.
now I have to do a real party. kids. noise. mess.
let it snow!

5. I am thankful for crazymomquilts.
she has totally inspired me to get back into quilting.
now I really need to sit down and work on getting those quilts I have started finished, so I can move on to all the ones I want to make.

6. I am thankful that Cory and I stuff our own stockings-
although I did get a couple of things to put in his-
but it is fun to buy some things for myself that I might not usually.
so far I bought myself a quilting magazine I have been eyeing-
because I need more quilt ideas.
right.

7. I am thankful that I learned how to make chocolates at our crafting day at the church. they are so yummy.
and my hips are thankful too. they are getting bigger, and bigger.

8. I am thankful that I got to go to parent teacher interviews last night-
okay really, I am not so thankful that I got to go. they are kind of nerve racking for me- teachers are so scary (right Shelley?)
but I am very thankful that the teachers all had such great things to say about all my kids.
except that Jack is a bit of a chatterer.
which is really no surprise.
but they did say he is a pleasure to have in class.

9. I am thankful that my calendar is blank today and tomorrow.
nothing I have to do, no where I have to go.
love it.

10. I am thankful that my to do list is very long.
I love having lots to do,
and I can pick what I feel like doing off my list- because the choices are so plentiful.
okay, so although my calendar is blank, I do still have lots of stuff that needs done. no sitting around reading books and eating bonbons.
like I usually do.
haha.

11. I am thankful for blogging.
I have said it before and I'll say it again.
I love it.
the ideas, the people, the connections.
so fun.
such a time sucker.
but a good time sucker. really.

12. I am thankful it is Thursday- and that means survivor and the office are on tonight.
yes, I watch survivor.
lets not judge each other.

13. I am thankful it is almost December. I think I am going to bring my Christmas decorations into the house today,
pull out the old and new favorites.
fill the advent calendar up with candy.
good times!

All that and a bag of chips

or- more appropriately, some Christmas chocolates.
that was my night last night.
first a stop at Walmart.
printed off one of my christmas cards/pictures to see how they would come out- and it was good, so I ordered a bunch more!
now I need to go pick them up, and mail them off.
and of course I picked up a few more things.
then I came home, pulled out a little of the stash and wrapped.
then I kept remembering more things I had bought and wondering where I had hidden them away. I need to do some serious searching.
then it was getting close to the time the kids should be coming home,
and I didn't want them walking in to my presents everywhere.
that would not be good.
so I tucked it all away-
and then it was another 20 minutes before they were home.
sheesh.
I think I need about 6 more nights like that.
then I might be close to being ready.
maybe.

pixie

here is the project I needed the yarn,
and the knitting needles
and the hair clips
and the flowers for-pixie hats!
they are so quick and easy
and cute- even in this blurry picture! I heard they are big sellers at craft sales!
I hope so, as I am doing one in a few weeks.
and I have a lot of hats!

so-
Christmas is one month from today!
ahhh.
gotta go- get stuff done!
the list is long.
and time is short!
I love it.
(being busy crafting, and making things for others!)
the young women in our ward have offered babysitting services for their activity tonight, so I signed up my four youngest, and I can have an hour and a half to shop,- or more likely, I think I will come home, and pull out the boxes and bags of stuff I have stashed and start wrapping!
I can hardly wait.
mostly just because I will be home all by myself.
that never happens!

I love this girl

how much do I love her? well, I love her so much,
that today,
during the primary Sacrament meeting presentation,
when she stood up at the very start,
to sing her solo,
and the music was playing,
and she burst into tears,
and was crying,
and taking no comfort from the music lady,
and sobbing,
well, I love her so much,
that I grabbed Maggie,
and headed up to the front
(and of course, I was in tears from seeing her in tears)
and Maggie gave her a big hug,
and Maggie and I,
and the music lady
sang her verse,
while she stood there and cried.
that's how much I love her.

too early!

So, I did a bit of shopping yesterday,
as I already mentioned-
and probably 75% of the stores were playing Christmas music-
which was nice- I thought,
but still early-
then I headed to my last store-
Walmart in the evening,
and the cashier said that I should let my son do his homework.Anyway, blah blah blah sons evil blah blah wont give son allowance blah blah blah

oh- that's funny- I got distracted and away from the computer for a few minutes and Ben hijacked it

anyways, as I was saying-
the cashier said that she was already tired of Christmas music.
sad.
so early.
Glad I don't work retail and have to listen to it all the time!
- not that I don't like it, don't get me wrong.
but I can listen when I want and how long I want,
know what I mean?

13

well-
I had a busy day today. and I thought- wouldn't it be fun to take pictures througout my day to document a day in the life.
but I never pulled out my camera once.
so I will just tell you what I did. fun, right?
1. got up and got the kids off to school. I sent them all with lunches so I could leave and not be back until after school. freedom.
2. but before I left, I was a good girl and ran (a bit) on my treadmill. yay for me.
3. called my sister to see if she wanted to be busy with me today. and she did. good times.
4. so I went to pick her up- ended up helping my mom pick some stitching out of a quilt- she is machine quilting for the first time, and wasn't happy with how it was going. but I claimed the quilt when it is done, so I was happy to help to make it the best it could be!
5. then we headed to another sister's house where we got fabio hair cuts, Maggie too! and lunch too. good times.
6. then we went to Micheals. Had to use some 50% off coupons I had. but there is so much I want, it was hard to narrow it down.
7. then off to LaSenza to help my sweet sister use up her gift she got from work- she gets 50% off anything there up to $250. and she doesn't want to spend all that- so I was willing to help. I am nice that way.
I got a new bra. much needed. and some christmas pajamas- and they had some toys, so I got some little things for the girls stockings. fun.
8.then we swung by a hair place where I bought some clips for some hats I want to make.
9. then we had to stop at the Children's Place where their $3.99 specials sucked me in.
10. then I took my sister home.
11. then I went to another Micheals. where they didn't have the right knitting needles I need for the cute hats I want to make. sheesh. but I bought some yarn because I had to use my last 50% off coupon. It would really be sad not to use it.
12. then I swung by my friends house- she is moving across the country- and has to pay $1 a pound for whatever they bring, so she is getting rid of stuff- she had a load of stuff from her girl's room, that I picked up. my girls are having a great time with it all.
13. then I came home. Quite a day. Quite a life. not really. but- whatever!

done!

front:back:and boy, is it twirlable!

and yes, I will be getting her a white or pink shirt to wear underneath-

just in case you think that I think that the blue goes.

I know it doesn't.

I just really wanted her to try it on when she got home from school-

had to hurry before the light is gone.

The sun sets so early.

anyways,

I have moved on to different projects,

hopefully will have more to show and tell soon!

quiet-er days once again

ahh.
sweet school.
I love it.
I went to the quilting group at the church this morning.
I got a nice bunch of Jack's quilt started.
then all afternoon I spent cutting out and sewing Sadie's dress.
I was wrong. The bottom part of her dress has 26 pieces.
and they are almost all put together- I just need to get the bottom ruffle to the right amount of gathering so that it fits on to the rest- which is not as easy as I thought it would be, then join it all to the bodice.
hopefully it will be done tomorrow!

ta da!

the frontand the back

She was very reluctant to put it on for a picture-

in tears even.

but she still has it on-

and there is no sign of it coming off soon.

I think she likes it.

(and I do too)

now to make Sadies- it is a bit more involved-

I think the skirt must have 25 pieces to cut out and sew together.

so fun.

13 things

1. I got my patterns in the mail- the Christmas dress ones that I bought.
they came in the morning.
before I went to bed I had one dress almost done- it would have been completely done, but the button hole wasn't happening.

2. I maybe should have made it a size bigger- it barely squeezes on to maggie- but boy, is it cute.

3. maybe I will show you- when I figure out the button holes! brace yourselves, it is sweet.

4. today- I start Sadies. yay. so fun.

5. such a complete contrast to last years Christmas dresses which were a nightmare. yikes.

6. remember those tile necklaces? cute, no?
well- I also offer tile Christmas ornaments.
check out my etsy shop if you are interested!
or email me at kristill@hotmail.com. super fun and unique gifts! 7. two more days of no school.
oh, how I love school. really.

8. to add to the joy I have 3 extra kids here today. should be fun.

9. so, remember how I said there was 4 inches of snow on Tuesday? well, it is melting fast. weird.

10. so, the reason the interior lights weren't coming on in the van- a dome light override button was pushed. cost us $50 to find that out! haha.

11. but some plastic pipe had corroded around the engine- or something like that- the guy was explaining it, it all went over my head, but anyways, the heater really wasn't working. not just a button I needed to push.

12. did I ever tell you about the library book that was missing? I renewed it 4 times, couldn't find it anywhere- even put out a cash reward for whoever could find it- nowhere to be found, so last week I finally paid for it.
yep- we found it.
well, Jack found it. under Jed's bed.
nice.

13. at least the librarian said if I kept my reciept and found the book, I could get my money back. yay.

we remembered

yesterday was rememberance day.
Jack and Jed- and their Cub group got to lay some wreaths, and read a poem at the ceremony.

I had always wanted to attend one of these things- so this was my chance.

and since Cory didn't get the day off work, it was just me and the kids.

and standing for almost an hour outside, then sitting for another hour inside with a three year old isn't my favorite thing. (Jack thinks he looks nerdy in this picture and wants me to delete it, but I will leave it in. just to bug him.)

here's the group- probably half of them weren't there. too bad. it was good.

and guess what-

it snowed- really snowed the night before. so there was about 4 inches of snow on the ground. chilly.

this tank led the parade that the army men followed, and the cubs and a few other groups. my boys thought it was pretty cool. and it was cool.

and here they all are, posing by the tank. they are being fierce. crazy kids.

and now today- my van is in the shop- getting the heater fixed- heaters are very important around here this time of year.

and the interior lights don't work- I can't remember why. but that is also nice when it is dark at 6:00 at night.

I love my country!

no really,

I do.