Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

The best Christmas present this year is that we get to be with our families! Since we won't be in New York, we didn't want to get a real tree that would die while we are gone. So we came up with this stick tree idea, which I love. The kids had fun gathering the sticks at the park and hanging the little ornaments.

We've been unwrapping and reading a Christmas book every night before bed, and got new Christmas pajamas last night. Our countdowns are getting shorter and I'm finishing up the last few handmade gifts and shopping trips. Merry Christmas everyone!

Grateful

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving, spent with a great group of friends and amazing food. I don't think I've ever been so stuffed to the brim. We loved spending time as a family over the long weekend. We are decorating our home for Christmas tonight, and I'm really excited to start working on Christmas presents and new holiday traditions.

This big guy has been wandering around our neighborhood for the last week or so. The kids think it is the greatest thing ever.

Lately

My little sister had a baby. They named him Grey. He is darling and I can't wait to see him and hold him when we go home for Christmas!

We've had beautiful fall weather here (besides one crazy snowstorm) and we have been enjoying the lovely colors. We gathered some leaves this week and hung them up all around our house.

And we got word that Joseph was accepted to a residency program and we will spend a year living in northern Texas starting next August! We are excited and grateful and are looking forward to this next adventure.

Bats

My little bats had a very happy Halloween. They've never seen so much candy, and they were loving it. I made their wings using this picture as inspiration. Matthew wants to wear them constantly.

We did some trick-or-treating at the mall and they were very happy with the results of their hard work.

Run Fast... or Else!

Last Saturday I ran in the Sleepy Hollow 10k race. I love Sleepy Hollow (we've been there twice before), but I don't necessarily love the hills in Sleepy Hollow. The race course was so hilly that I almost dreaded turning a corner just to see another hill in front of me. But it was awesome and I finished the tough 6.2 miles in 1:01:42.

A few of our friends ran it as well, so afterwards we all walked around the cemetery and the Old Dutch Church and enjoyed the beautiful fall colors and festive decorations. It was lovely and I think we all had a great day!

These Days

Matthew wishes he was an animal, any animal, instead of a boy. He writes his name all by himself and counts everything he sees and actually sings the songs in Primary! He is growing up before my eyes.

Anna likes things to be her idea. She sleeps with a crib full of books and stuffed animals, wants to help with everything, and just might potty train herself. She is still itty bitty, but she's acting so old.

Joseph is going to miss his more relaxed 4th-year schedule now that he has started studying for boards and licensing exams. He turned in his application and requests for placement after graduation, and we'll find out where we are moving next sometime in March.

I'm putting together my first primary program and training for a 10k race next weekend. I drove (and parked!) in Manhattan all by myself last week and I kind of learned how to curl my hair with a curling iron.

So Much Sewing

I have been sitting at my sewing machine during every minute of spare time I've had for the last few weeks. The outcome this time was a bunch of fall and winter clothes for the kids. I'm happy with how things turned out and I love seeing the kids in these clothes. Here are a few of my favorites:

Long sleeve t-shirts, fun tops, dresses made from pretty floral scraps, and a button up cardigan. Matthew got a couple pairs of pants. And I even made a few things for myself. Only Joseph was left out, but I'm not sure I can tackle menswear just yet. :)

(I really don't know how to use Joseph's fancy camera, so that is why the lighting is off in most of these pictures.)

I love to sew, and wish I could do it all the time. But I am taking a break for a bit to spend time on other things. At least until I start working on Halloween costumes...