christmas cards

Olivia's card to her speech teacher, Rachel...



Avery's card for all her friends at school...



Avery's card for all her teachers...

yes, she is indeed, a pastor's child...

The children put on a little Christmas concert for us today...

It started out well....


They all were singing, and smiling....


Liv started to get antsy, but was still standing with the others!


Um, then, she decided to sit...


and lay down.


and kick her feet...


and talk to the speaker...


and some more laying around...


yea, that pretty much sums up what went on at our church today...
she fits the pastors child mold well, doesn't she? :)

Meet Buddy!

This is our new friend Buddy.

He came to live at our house last week.

He came with a book that tells us all about him.
During the day, Buddy watches Avery and Olivia from a spot that he chooses in our house.

At night, he flies to the North Pole and gives the big guy a report on how the girls have behaved.

Then, he flies back just in time to find a new spot to sit before the girls wake up in the morning.

Mommy thinks he's cute...

Liv loves to wake up in the morning and search for him...

Avery is slightly terrified and is having some sleeping issues...

And Daddy, well, let's just say that daddy wanted to name him Chucky...

I guess when you look at him, he does have a spooky cute look...

Santa sent a video to Avery!!!

Oh.my.goodness....

I could not believe it when I checked my email tonight, and there was an email from the North Pole! Santa had a special message he wanted to tell Avery.

She's sleeping right now, but in the morning, I can't wait to play her the special video! Santa even says her name!!! She's going to be soooooo excited!!!


here are some screenshots I took while I watched it tonight....eeek...can't wait to show her!

if you want to make sure Santa sends you a video, here is where we went to get ours!

my project file...

I have been on a DIY project kick lately. Blog world is wonderful at such a time as this...take a peek at what I have been looking to do...{keep in mind, none of these are my photos...not yet anyway!}

#1. Advent Calendar

I love the idea of having a doll that can be dressed up in a piece of clothing each day for 24 days. This one runs around $90 (crazy), but a great idea none-the-less!

Another idea is to have a giant doll and have 24 pockets on her. I LOVE this idea, and we have this huge life size groovy girl doll that I could make a Christmas dress for, and we'd be set!

#2. Anything with ornaments

this wreath is made with with a wire hanger and ornaments. You can make one for ANY time of the year! LOVE IT

This would be perfect for Christmas!

Ornament trees are next on my list! just look what can be done with a little hot glue and some elbow grease?




or even a topiary....



3. paper wreath

this one is made with a styrofoam wreath, and strips of gathered paper!


4. Pom poms

these would be just perfect for birthday parties! Take 8 pieces of tissue paper, and do some folding and tie them up, and this is what happens!


5. fabric pumpkins

this will be on my list for next year....cute little pumpkins made out of fun fabric! Soo easy!!!


What is on YOUR DIY list???