A few handmade gifts

I seem to go in spurts when it comes to sewing. I've made a few things for the boys for Christmas and birthdays I think turned out cute!

A new towel for Davis for his first birthday:

I mentioned in an earlier post how I made this turkey ornament for Davis this year (in honor of his turning one on Thanksgiving Day). I copied one I found online and I was really happy with how it turned out!

I also made these matching coin (or whatever treasure they deem worthy) holders for Jackson and Bode  for Christmas. Again, I patterned them after one I saw online and am so excited about how they turned out. 

I put their initials on back so we could tell them apart.

We let the boys open them on Christmas Eve. They really loved them, which made me so happy. Bode  has been carrying his around all over the place. 

Finally, as I did with the older two boys, I made Davis a blanket and gave it to him for Christmas. He's outgrowing a lot of his baby blankets and I wanted a big one he could wrap up in without his toes hanging out. I always struggle finding the right fabric. After several trips to fabric stores and multiple orders online, I finally came up with a combination I love. 

I feel like I hit stumbling block after stumbling block while making it. Most of them were by my own doing and inexperience, but I was determined to get it done (and done right!) in time for Christmas. I finished hand stitching the binding around 2 am on December 23rd and I love how it turned out.

Opening it up on Christmas morning:

Taking a nap with his new blanket on Christmas. My heart could have burst.

No new projects on the horizon, but hopefully I'll get some time to start something new before too long!

Christmas 2014

Just like that, Christmas has come and gone! We had a great Christmas this year. We decided to just stay home and do our own thing, and it was so nice and relaxing after feeling sort of rushed the rest of the month.

We were treated to an amazing sunset on Christmas Eve as we were putting together our luminaries. It really was so beautiful with the sun glinting off of the snow on the mountains. 

All lit up!

After our drive to see the lights and reading Luke 2 and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas', it was time for bed!

We woke up Christmas morning with an awesome surprise-- SNOW!

We were so happy to have a white Christmas.

Santa came!

The boys were up about 7:45 am and were so excited to open presents. I didn't take many pictures... 

Sean gave me some very thoughtful gifts this year, including a few pieces of pottery by Nicholas Moss. We learned about him on our trip to Ireland earlier this year, and I love his stuff. 

I love this Christmasy one-- I think it looks perfect for syrup!

And I love the colors and pattern on this bigger pitcher and am going to display it in our kitchen. 

The aftermath:

Playing with their cool new racetrack from grandma and grandpa:

Plasma car races in the basement courtesy of nana and papa:

One of my very favorite parts of the day was when Davis fell asleep in my arms as we were relaxing on the couch and watching the other boys racing cars.  He was wrapped in his new blanket I made and worked very hard to have ready for Christmas. Everyone was happy, relaxed, and the house felt cozy with the fire going and the new snow outside. It was just one of those sweet moments where everything aligns and you are overcome with the realization of how blessed you are. 

We decided to get some fresh air and go sledding in the afternoon. There wasn't a ton of snow, but enough to get down the hill and have a good time!

After sledding we headed home and had a big Christmas dinner with just our little family. The prime rib turned out great (even if it smoked up my oven like crazy!).

I'm always a little sad to see Christmas go. It was a good one this year and I am grateful. Most importantly, I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ.

"God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son."

--The Living Christ

December things

December seemed to fly by, busy as ever. Here are a few of the fun things we did:

Annual gingerbread houses:

Bode didn't make a full house this year, but he piled on enough icing and candy for one! The rest of us sat back and watched him hard at work, trying to keep our giggles muffled. :)

Bode's:

I seriously love it. It made me smile all month.

Jackson's:

I love how he put a "light" by the front door, a "J" on it, a wreath, etc.

So proud of their masterpieces!

Sean and I's house:

I sort of loved our house this year!

Davis just ate candy and looked cute :)

I had to take a picture of the letter Jackson wrote to Santa after Bode accidentally touched our Elf on the Shelf, Chippy:

Nana came to visit!

And so did grandma and grandpa!

We had Bode's preschool program:

(he got to meet Santa after)

And Jackson's Christmas sing at school.

They both did awesome. I love school programs-- one of the major highlights of the holidays for me!

Sean, Jackson, and I also got to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. It was so fun having Jackson with us and seeing the Sesame Street Muppets!

Killing time before the performance:

It is a family tradition to eat breakfast at Little America with my family in December. This year we decided to spend the night also.

Walking the windows at the Grand with cousins:

Swimming at our favorite pool in Utah-- with what seemed like everyone else in Utah!

We had a lot of fun this month. I'm looking forward to things slowing down a bit in January!