Seasons of Love

My very wise and much missed daddy once told me, "Honey, its not the amount of love in our life, it's who we choose to share it with".

On a "Silent Night"... about three weeks ago... 

a VERY large family gathered to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Sometimes gaining attention or respect can be tricky in a large family BUT no matter what faults I might see in myself or in any of them, I'm always drawn back to the incredible love that we share. 

Feeling overwhelmed by the nights activities, 

I took a moment to reflect on what my dad had said.

I get it now ...I choose you.

Why? Because I can count on you.

 

I share my interests with you.

 

 Snuggle with you.

 

Play games with you.

 

Laugh with you.

 

Smile with you.

 

 Share small spaces with you. 

 

Drink with you.

 

Take things from you & then give them back to you.

 

Share a table with you.

 

Dance with you.

Snuggle with you again.

 

Exchange fashion tips with you.

 

Sing with you.

 

I choose you.

 

I choose you because you choose me.

The best part about Christmas with my family is the singing.

 

 

A friend asked me, "Which carol is your favorite?". 

I replied "All of them".

 

 

 

 

 

So after a night of loud obnoxious family banter, we each go our separate ways...

or fall asleep on the couch!

It's taken me my lifetime to realize just how much I love these people.

Each year I learn something new about one of them, or maybe even about myself. 

The word "lucky" just doesn't seem to cover it. 

Special thanks to the Huebl family for hosting.

We miss you Kia, Uncle Mike, Maui Maydan's, Coopers & Tucson-ions!

She's crafty... and Christmas rocked!

I finally get to post all of my crafting pics from Christmas.

I couldnt show anyone before because most of it was top secret!

Now that the secret is out, so are the pics!

I made all my own Christmas cards this year. 

Since I made 80, yes 80 cards, I had to start in November!

 

I also crafted some jewelry for my two best gals. Mau-town & Stacey!

 

I'm proud to say that they both love my creation~

I know BFF necklaces are sort of silly at our age, but I knew they would like them!

 

Since Cheryl has a small collection of crosses, I decided to make her one.

I made one for Audrey too, because I was so pleased with my design.

 

I had NO idea what I was going to paint on either of them. I started with Cheryl's... what does she love I thought. I started painting and soon realized it was a Maui sunset. How perfect is that!?!

 

Then it dawned on me. I cant paint a Maui sunset, without painting Poppie in it!

 

Here's the finished product.

I think this came out SUPER special!

Next was Audrey's cross. I had to think long and hard about this one too. I decided to paint how I feel about my sister. She's like a tree blossom, beautiful, tender, graceful and full of life. A perfect image of my darling sister!

 

Here's my finished products, pretty sweet eh?

 

This year I decided that I wanted to make something in mason jars.

I call this portion of my blog, "Operation Monster Cookie". 

 

I made two dozen of these jars.  

At first it seamed REALLY easy, maybe too easy.

But after a battle with the flour, I was ready for this project to be over!

Layer 1 - Flour

 

Layer 2 - Chocolate Chips

 

Layer 3 - M&M's and salt

 

Layer 4 - Brown Sugar and baking powder

 

Layer 5 - Butterscotch Chips

 

Layer 6 - Sugar

 

I do have to admit, it's probably one of the cutest things in a jar I've ever seen~

 

 

Four trips to the grocer and three hours later (no joke), my jars were finished!  

Last but not least, I have one more trick up my sleeve. 

This one involving a two year old & some paint!

 

"We need to make something for momma, huh?" I asked "Yup" he replied.

 

Don't you love that he's wearing my awesome Native American kitty tshirt?

 

Wow! What a gift! Momma's gonna love this!

I'm super stoked on everything that I made this year,

it seemed to make Christmas that much better!

Present time!

 

We usually spend Christmas Eve with Cheryl.

 

Its our family tradition to open presents early!

 

Jonny got a scooter from Uncle Scott! Thanks dude!

 

Diane, Lynette, Josh & Scott

 

Josh loves anything electronic, so Grammie got him this neato gatdget that turns any ordinary household item, into an ipod speaker! How rad!

 

This is Lynette's mom Shirley. She spent Christmas Eve with us this year :o)

 

What it do, little sis?

 

Yeay for gingerbread houses!

 

Grammie messin' with Jonny and his binki.

 

Josh showing Diane his speaker thingy.

 

On Christmas day, Audrey, Jonny and Grammie came over to our house for brunch and Santa presents.

 

He loved this one the most!

 

Jonny's dad came to pick him up & brought him this awesome motorcycle.

 

Watch out Uncle Scooter & Cousin Mike, looks like you might have a new riding buddy!

 

I dont know what this face was about, but it made me laugh~

 

Lookin' purty on Christmas!

 

Jake was pretty excited about his gifts.

Lynette got him some lego Star Wars.

 

He sat quietly for about 45 minutes putting this together.

 

Way to go Lynette!

 

After that we headed over to Penny & Kevin's for dinner, and then to the Huebl's for the white elephant. I have pictures of the Wishard's coming soon~ I forgot my camera, but Robert said he would share all his pics!

Last but not least, my babies got to enjoy their Christmas presents from Grandma Penny & Grandpop Kevin. Izzy loves catnip!!!

 

Merry Christmas 2011!!