Merry Christmas!

We had a great day today. I couldn't believe it when Chris said, "Wake up, it's 9:30." We let Lainee sleep with us because we were afraid she would wake up early and see her toys on her way to our room. I guess with all the excitement over the past few days, they were catching up on their sleep. They were really excited about all of their toys. Lainee's favorite was her doll house and Taylor's favorite was her sewing machine. We set it up right next to mine so we could sew together. She has been practicing all day.

Funny story from last year

After making cookies on Christmas Eve, Taylor and I put them on our "Cookies for Santa" plate and put them in the den. I was cleaning up the kitchen and Taylor came in there and said,"Lainee stole Santa's cookies!" I was like, What? She said, Lainee just ran by my room into her room and had cookies in her hand, now she is in the bed eating them. I ran and got my camera and went in her room, she was like a deer in head lights. It was so funny. She just smiled real big, a cookie in each hand, and crumbs falling out of her mouth. I couldn't get mad because it was so funny.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we always go to my moms to have Christmas with my family. We go to Chris's moms the day before Christmas Eve. The funniest thing was when Lainee opend her first present, it was a cardboard box (wrapped) with a Princess cash register inside. When she unwrapped the cardboard box, she said,"Oh! Just what I wanted! A new box, this will go perfect in my room!!" She said it with such enthusiasim, she was so happy to get this box. I was laughing so hard that I could not tell her that there was more inside. When I finally told her, she was very excited to get the real present, but it was the cutest, sweetest thing to see her so happy over just a box. Then, the rest of the time when she was opening her gifts, before she had them completely opened, she said,"I know what this is..." Of course she didn't have a clue what any of them were going to be, but she had a blast opening them. Each year has been more fun than the previous year watching them open presents and seeing their reactions. Taylor really wanted a North Face jacket. We kept telling her we weren't sure if we would buy one because she didn't need another jacket. When we opened gifts, she opened the box that looked like the size a jacket would go in, but it was not it. Then she opened all the others and it was not there. After all the gifts were opened, I told Taylor there was a gift she missed under the tree, it was just a small box. When she opened it, there was a note inside that said to go look in my closet. I followed her so I could see her reaction. She was so excited. Even though it is 75 degrees outside, she is still wearing it. Taylor went to bed early after Christmas at my moms but Lainee and I made cookies for Santa, and she didn't even try to take them this year!!

Waiting for Santa

The girls are so excited about Santa. To pass the time by, we went to see the Christmas lights at the park and ride the train. We had a blast. The best part was that they got to just walk straight up to Santa. We had to wait in line an hour at Northpark the day before. But, we had a great time, then we rode around the neighborhoods and looked at the lights. The best one is in Laurelwood, where the lights blink to the music they have playing.

When we left Northpark that afternoon, Lainee fell asleep in mid-sentence.

Finished for now!

I am so relieved to have finished the orders I had promised to have by Christmas. I took my apron and stockings to school and had an enormous response. I've worked hard the past week and now I'm done. I had a couple of orders that did not need to be done before Christmas so I am taking a break for a day or so, then I will finish those. Sorry to those of you that I had to turn away, I just did not want to let anyone down. I delivered some already that I forgot to take pictures of, but the ones I am delivering tomorrow, I remembered. My favorite is the matching set for a mother and father in law. I've been asked to do a show in Madison but I am just not sure if I can take something like that on right now. I did a craft show and had 2 weeks worth of work. I've devoted so much of my life the past month to sewing, I feel like I need to spend some time with my kids, but we'll see. I'm so ready for the holiday and to be able to stay home and spend time with family and get together with good friends.

"Sew" Busy!

I have not had a chance to blog lately or do anything else for that matter. It seems like all I have done is come straight home and go to the sewing machine. I have not even cooked and that is a big thing for me. I'm not complaining though, I love it!! It's been great seeing people excited about what I have made for them. And the compliments I've been getting are just making me want to do more. Everyone keeps telling me I need to do a web page but I just have not had time and those that don't use the internet much have told me I need to get pictures together. Well, this is going to have to do for now. Here are a few things I have done in the past 2 weeks. The stockings come in 2 sizes. The small are $18 and large $20. If you buy 3 or more of the large, I will take off $10 and 3 or more of the small, $5. I can switch the fabric up and use strips on the stocking and dots on the cuff, or if you have a particular color you would like, let me know and I can try to match it.

The week of Thanksgiving

During the week of Thanksgiving, the girls and I went on our annual Thanksgiving beach trip. We have done this every year for 4 years now. We had a blast! Everyone always asks if we can go on the beach and the answer is YES! Last year Taylor got sunburned. It is warm enough to play in the sand with shorts and a t-shirt on. A few years the girls have been brave enough to get in the ocean. But they do have an indoor pool that is wonderful. They swam everyday and had a blast. We went shopping on Friday to the outlet mall and I spent every bit of cash I had, but I got some great deals. We got to the mall at 7:00, we all shopped until 11:00, then mom took the kids back to the condo with her. After that, Debbie and I walked around until about 3:00. When we got home the kids were asleep. The picture of Lainee says it all! She was sacked out! We all had a great time together. I got to finish 2 dresses that were ordered and a few tshirts for the girls.