Friday, December 25, 2009


He loves the little monkeys from Aunt Laura and Uncle Rodney...it came with a book 'Five Little Monkeys In a Tree'


The got lots of books...we were in need of some rejuvination at bedtime ;)


Because you can never have too many legos


The stockings were laid on the couch with care...
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I finished the stockings for the kids and decided that Jared and I would be just fine with paper bags. I'm making ours tonight, so that I can put them all away for next year :)


Looking through all of his loot. Henry looks a lot like my dad's little boy pictures in this one...


Modeling their new aprons that Grandma Wutzke made for them, Henry said "I'm the head chef, and you're the sous chef, Mom!"


A little overwhelmed by all the fun!
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Thursday, December 24, 2009

Stocking Stuffers!


So, it ocurred to me last night that we can't really do stocking stuffers if we don't have a stocking to put them in. I thought that my procrastination had only been one year since purchse of fabric at post-holiday sale to actually making them, until I remembered...I'd purchased enough material for four stockings because I was pregnant with Charlie at the time...that means I bought this fabric and it's sat in it's sad little bag for TWO YEARS! Well, I guess that's better than the fabric I have for the Underground Railroad quilt that I bought the first time I went to Seeley Lake that's still tied in it's pretty little bow :)


The longest part of the process was the tedium of pressing, cutting, ironing on the fusible batting and then cutting out the strips. That pile of fabric under the table is 3 inch strips of six different fabrics. Once I got it all laid out, the actual making of the stocking was about forty-five minutes, including all the trimming and making the cuff.

One panel completed


Both panels completed, sewn together and the cuff added...I think I'll save the hand-embroidering of the names until next year! At 1:30am, I decided that making the first one was good enough, so I picked up all the supplies and loaded them back upstairs. I'll make the other three during Charlie's nap sometime after wrapping all of our presents, making cupcakes, letting them cool, going to the store, making sticky buns and frosting cupcakes...I guess I should take a shower somewhere in there? Tonight, we'll be celebrating Christmas Eve dinner at the Boren/Alpersons (or as I like to use their rock band name; Nancy Boren and the Alpersons) along with the Quattrins for some Chicago Deep-Dish pizza that they had overnighted from Gino's in Chicago. Yum!
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Monday, December 14, 2009




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A Star Is Born


Henry and I spent some time after pre-school today making the star for our first full-blown Christmas tree. We've always either been travelling or felt restricted by apartment life, but this year, we're doing it up right! Henry wanted a silver star so I pulled out my embossing ink and powders and he went to town. Each time he dumped the whole jar of powder out, I had to remind myself that it would all make it's way back in again, so it was fine :) He did a pretty good job!


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Le Piece de Resistance! Now, I just need the tree...should make for an interesting evening since I'll be buying, hauling and putting up the tree alone. I have had a friend volunteer to help me get it in the stand straight and I'm sure I'll be calling on her.
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Friday, December 11, 2009



Mooommy! Get me out of here!


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Breakfast With Santa

For a 'Kids Activity' with my mom's group we organized a breakfast with Santa. We had a potluck breakfast at a friend's house, and Santa paid a visit so all the kids could make their wishes known. This is the first year that I think Henry really gets "Santa" so it was fun to see his reaction as Santa walked in the room. After pictures I was eating breakfast and chatting and someone pulled me aside to listen to Henry talking to Santa about the logistical nightmare that is our apartment...aparrently he's picked up on the fact that we don't have a chimney and was trying to help Santa trouble shoot. The kid is WAY too smart!



Henry and his friend Elise right when we told them Santa was coming


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Um, I'm not so sure about this guys...


Telling Santa all about the Rocket Ship he's dying for!


He has such a sweet smile
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Monday, December 07, 2009


Thanksgiving Pies...yum!



Henry and Aunt Heidi at Ben and Heidi's house in Portland on our last night of the vacation.


I think Henry found his sprinkle soul mate...Heidi loves sprinkles so had about 800 jars of them and let him have at it! What a great month! Thanks to everyone who made time to come visit, or host us, or just kept in touch!
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