I finally feel like the storm of holiday photo sessions/card designing/ ordering has calmed and I can begin to enjoy my family and our traditions. I'm not used to working this hard!! LOL

Let's see...what have we been up to?

• The day before Thanksgiving, Evynn had her specialist appointment in Spokane-so we all played hooky, took the kids out to see The Blind Side (haven't seen it? you should.), did a little shopping and surprised Eric's mom with a dinner out.

• Thanksgiving day was kind of a bust. Eric ended up working all day and by the time we got to my parents' house, it was almost 6pm. It was nice to sit and visit over dessert, though.

• Dec. 2nd my brother and his wife welcomed their new baby, Shane, into the world. We're going to see him tomorrow--the girls', especially, are beyond excited. From what we've seen so far, he looks quite a bit like his older brother, Carson. Have I mentioned I love being an auntie?

• Last weekend Eric, his brother & dad went over to a Seahawks game. Last night he tried to point himself out to me on the playback...uhhhmmm...even on a 47" tv he looked like a little blob in the stands. He was pretty sure, though.

We've gotten all our Christmas decorations out and everything but the outside lights are up. I'm actually feeling holiday spirit this year--quite a departure from years previous. I guess there's still time for it to wear off. 

I've been having fun in my studio...playing with paper. Above is my Home Front layout for Studio Calico's line. You've probably noticed that at SC (thanks to April) we're all about the mist. Maya Mist, that is. It's awesome stuff. There are places and things in my house that are permanently misted because I get a little excited sometimes. My go-to colors are gold, lemon and turquoise.

Trying to finish up Ella's knitted sweater--so jealous, it's gorgeous and squooshy. Lucky kid. Of course she looks beautiful in anything she puts on-but here she's modeling it for fit. I've got about 3" of ribbing to go to get to the 5.5" I need!

My sewing maching came back from the shop without putting too much of a dent in my wallet. Quilts to finish before Christmas!! Yikes...I think I'd better get moving!!!

I will leave you with a funny from the other day. Seth and I were watching a movie with cute little penguins who were trying to prove to their colony that Santa is real. At one point Seth looked at me and said "Mom, who do you believe? Those penguins that say Santa isn't real? Or do you trust me when I tell you that Santa is real?" Answer, obvious, right?

QOTD: Santa. He's real. How do you drive that home?

Comments

[Linda]

Oh wow, that sweater is amazing. And yes, Ella is beautiful, even if she were dressed in a flour sack. Something to so with the gorgeous dad she has, I'm sure. ;)

We are big believers of Santa in this household. I think Zane is a bit suspicious. But he wrote a letter to the big man anyway. Just in case... Whenever we watch a movie about Santa (Polar Express, Elf, etc), Bryan and I say stuff like "You gotta believe to make Santa's sleigh fly (or hear the bell jingle, whichever line fits)." LOL! We work it!

[joy]

I love being an auntie too. I have 5 neices and nephews on my side, and one on Jon's side (there are like 5 others on Jon's side but they are adults)

Congrats on your new nephew!

[michele]

that sweater is amazing!! you are one talented girlie!!

ahhh ... the santa question. around here, we try to do little things that can't be "proven," just to suspend disbelief as long as possible. heck, *i* still believe in santa! ;o) one thing that happens is the kids get pajamas from santa on xmas eve. at some point in the evening, as we're winding down the day, the doorbell mysteriously rings. henry is always told to answer it, and there's always a package on the doorstep with two pairs of pjs and a note, telling the kids the santa is in the area and would really like them to head to bed so he can swing by with the gifts.

every year, we've set it up so that when the doorbell rings, we're all accounted for. that way, even henry - at a very skeptical almost-10 age - has to wonder what's up. ;o)