Handmade Gifts.

I know this is a little late but I wanted to share the handmade gifts I gave a Christmas this year.

Honestly, I forgot I even took pictures of them until I was looking through my Christmas pictures. 

I decided to still share because all of these can be given for any occasion, plus they were pretty inexpensive, which makes everyone happy.

I made this for my mom.

This is only the second fabric wreath that I have ever made and I was really happy with the way it turned out.

I also made one for my mother in law (which I forgot to take a photo of) and I liked it too.

I could make a zillion of them and hang them all over the house but I'm not too certain all the boys in the house would appreciate it.

I made these for my sisters.

I love all of them, the hoop art and my sisters, haha.

I don't know how to sew or stitch so it's not perfect, but I like them like that. 

I really tried to make each one reflect their individual style and taste and I'm pretty sure I achieved my goal.

Well at least they told me I did.

This last one is not really all handmade but it might just be my favorite gift I gave this year.

I love, love, love my succulents I planted a few months back and I wanted to share my love for them.

I picked up a few of these pots at Ikea for a great price, of course.

I took the boys to Home Depot and Ethan selected most of the succulents.

 I had planned on him helping my plant all of them, but since he was sick it didn't work out.

Anyway, I just stamped some craft paper, taped it on and tied some red yarn around. 

Everyone loved them!

This will definitely be my go to gift all year. 

I loved giving handmade gifts this year. It's so much more personal and thoughtful. 

I hope everyone loved receiving them as much a I loved giving them.

Merry Christmas.

Catching Up.

Oh hi there.

Did I fall off the face of the earth?

Nope. 

We've just been super busy as I am sure the rest of the world has been. 

Days have gone by without me even thinking about blogging or checking my reader, which is now ridiculously full. There is no way I will ever be able to read all I have missed but life will go on.

With that said, I thought I would catch all of you up on what's been happening around here.

For Christmas this year my parents bought my sisters and our families passes to Disneyland.

I haven't had one in years and I am so excited. 

The kids loved it even though we only went on 2 rides and stayed for a short while.

We will definitely be getting good use out of these this year. 

We had brunch with Brett's parents last weekend and the boys got to meet Santa.

Jacob did a lot better than I had anticipated.

 And we even managed to get a decent family picture in.

I made these yummy little treats. Pinterest has given me way to many ideas, especially in the sweets department.

Ethan had his first preschool Christmas party and program.

He sat up on that stage so cute and shy looking and only put his hands down his pants once. 

 Little voices singing about the birth of Jesus and little heads bowed to pray is the sweetest thing ever.

 We tried to get a photo of all the cousins together and well you can see how that went.

We celebrated Christmas early with Brett's family this year since they will be out of town.

I took like five pictures. Horrible.

Brett got the iPad 2 which he could not be more happy.

 This is the only picture I took of Jacob, proof that he was there. 

Oh that little face.

 Ethan and his cousin received rival football uniforms.

 It was nice celebrating a week early. Ethan had been asking to open presents for the last week and this way he didn't have to wait as long. Plus the kids get to play with all their new stuff now and then some again on Christmas morning. Works for me. 

Mister Jacob's personality is getting funnier and funnier each day.

He cracks me up.

I had to get reading glasses and I have to say, I like them. 

Lastly, and not my favorite, my boy is sick.

He has a bit of the stomach flu, which seems to be better today, but oh last night was pitiful.

I have never felt so badly for this little one ever.

I'm really just thankful he didn't get sick closer to Christmas.

Now I am just praying we all don't get it. 

That's been what happening with us. 

Can you see why I haven't blogged much?

Christmas is...

Remembering.

For me, each year Christmas brings new traditions, holiday gatherings, gift giving, baking, and time with family. 

I love all of it. 

I love the look on the kids faces while decorating, looking at Christmas lights, visiting Santa and listening to Christmas music.

We are making wonderful memories that will last forever.

At the same time, during the Christmas season I also like to remember.

I like to think back on the many (well not too many, I'm not that old) Christmas's before.

I remember laying in bed with my sister eagerly awaiting the first crack of sunlight so we could get our parents out of bed to open presents.

I remember my mom's side of the family all gathering at my grandparents house, being cramped in the small living room, and at the count of 3 all of us kids would open a gift at the same time. It was a sea of wrapping paper and toys and kids.

I remember my grandparents coming over every Christmas morning to see what Santa brought us. We would then sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and enjoy my mom's coffee cake. 

I remember the first Christmas Brett and I celebrated together and opening our gifts in my tiny apartment.

I have no bad memories of Christmas, only happy times and it's nice to sit back a remember it all.

It's also during this time that I am reminded how fortunate I am and I remember those that are in need.

I think about those that have no family, no food, or a roof over their head.

I think about the little ones that will have nothing to open on Christmas morning.

And I am reminded to give back. 

In the years past we have donated canned goods to the local food pantry, bought a toy for a child in need, or filled a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child.

It takes just a little of our time and money yet I know it goes a long way.

I wish I did this more often through out the year.

I think I need to add this to our "to-do list" for 2012.

Lastly, and most importantly, I remember the true reason we celebrate Christmas.

The birth of Jesus.

It can be easily pushed aside with all the holiday gatherings, present opening, cookie baking, and talk about Santa.

Don't get me wrong, I love all of it, but our focus needs to be on the birth of our Savior.

I make sure to tell the boys of the significance of the nativity sitting on the shelf and we read books about the birth of Jesus.

We sing Christmas songs about His birth and make Him a cake for His birthday on Christmas morning. 

I love that the boys enjoy Santa, the elf on the shelf, the lights, the tree, the decorations.

But nothing makes me happier then when I ask Ethan why we celebrate Christmas and his answer comes shouting out,

"Baby Jesus!"

I hope this Christmas you also remember the good times you've had, those in need and most of all the birth Jesus.

Merry Christmas! 

(a little early)

InstaFriday {late}, Thanksgiving and Christmas Lights.

We have been busy as I'm sure all of you have been too.

Since I have a had little time to blog the last couple of days, I thought I'd just throw all my ramblings into one.

Lets start.

I missed InstaFriday this week because I pretty much forgot that it was Friday.

Here's my cell pics from the week.

The littlest Raider fan and he even painted his face.

 They got to ride in the "cool" cart together for the first time. Big stuff for these guys.

 An afternoon movie with the cousins.

 He likes to use a beer coozie while having a little juice. Super classy.

 We went to the aquarium this past week.

It always cracks me up that the kids are always so fascinated with the frogs.

 Miss Radley reading about the sea life.

 The turtle was showing off.

 We made blackberry banana smoothies the day after Thanksgiving...so yummy.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, we had a wonderful day.

We spent time with both sides of our family and Ethan told me it was the best day ever. 

Here are some pictures of the day.

The Lewis Family

Lewis cousins.

Just us.

My boys.

Game Time.

The last picture is horrible but it represents the most fun of the night. 

Every year after we've eaten Thanksgiving dinner and settled down a bit we play Left Right Center.

Have you ever played?

It's great for big groups, which is perfect for us, and we love it.

I heard that after we left (kids needed to go to bed) the rest of the gang busted out the wave while playing.

My family is awesome. 

On Saturday Brett got all the decorations out of the garage and I've been working on decorating the house. 

I think this is the first year I've had all the decorating done before December 1st.

Well all but the tree.

Today the boys "helped" Brett with the lights.

They only managed to break one light.

Not too bad. 

I hope you've had a wonderful holiday weekend!

Christmas Festivities.

I've been so busy this Christmas season. 

I thought I'd share some pictures to get caught up on what we were doing over the past couple of weeks.

We prepared for Christmas by painting,

baking,

making gingerbread houses,

playing in the rain,

and being super cute.

Christmas Eve was spent at my parent's house. We ate a ton, drank a bit and enjoyed time spent with family.

We started our Christmas morning by singing happy birthday to Jesus and opening gifts from Santa. 

By the time we were done opening gifts our living room looked like this.

Then we played outside until Brett's family came over to celebrate Christmas. 

It was our first time having Christmas at our house and it was great. 

We opened gifts, ate good food and the kids had a blast playing together. The bouncer was a hit!

I was even lucky enough to get a picture of all the Lewis kids looking at the camera at the same time. 

Christmas was so fun this year because of Ethan. He was so excited about Santa and his reindeer, all his new presents, spending time with his family and going to parties. I can't even imagine how fun next year will be.