'Tis the Season

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.  The tree is up and the inside of the house is decorated.  The outside is also decorated, and for the first time in many years, Evan and I put up lights on the outside of the house/garage.  I could have begged and pleaded forever and it wouldn't change Evan's mind about exterior lights.  Carter asked with his big blue eyes and I knew Evan would cave.  We are no longer the 'lamest' house on the block, according to the kids!  :)

The kids were thrilled to discover that Charlie has also returned to our house.  He was in their bathroom the first day and reading a book to his friends today.  He is always up to some kind of trouble!

Taking a relaxing "bubble bath" in mini marshmallows:

Charlie brought them a treat on his first day back:

This morning Charlie was spotted on the fireplace, reading to his friends:

Carter played outside while Evan and I put up the lights.  He was cold when we got inside, so a good cup of hot cocoa warmed him right up!

The kids also received their Santa videos.  Ryan told me he expected to be on Santa's naughty list because "it is just so hard to be good all the time", but when he received a "watch" and found out he has to work really hard on his behavior, (yet was still on Santa's good list), he was in tears.  I don't think it surprised him, but wasn't what he wanted to hear.  Hopefully it will be a motivator to work on better behavior - specifically towards Carter!  You can click on the links below to watch their Santa videos.

Ryan's video

Carter's video

Jewelry

I am working on a lot of Christmas orders for jewelry.  I have most of them wrapped up, but still working on finalizing the last orders.  I look forward to getting the orders out so I can concentrate on enjoying the holiday season with my family!

Front: 

Back:

Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday at my cousin Kim's house in Byron.  We had such a nice day together - I always enjoy catching up with everyone, and of course, all of the good food that is shared.  My family has a lot of great cooks and bakers (I somehow missed that family trait!)  We have so much to be thankful for this holiday season and I kept close to heart family or friends that are struggling.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them.

Here is our crew at Thanksgiving:

Jewelry

I am getting busy with a lot of Christmas orders now and making some of my own gifts to give.  It is a busy time of the year and I am honored that so many people choose my jewelry to give as gifts!

Hunting Season

We are smack dab in the middle of hunting season at our house.  My Dad came in from his stand early yesterday afternoon and took both little boys out hunting, one at a time in a stand closeby.  Ryan was antsy and only lasted about an hour.  Carter enjoyed it more and easily made it a couple of hours before it got dark.  Kyle and Evan didn't see much yesterday,  but today their luck changed when Kyle shot a 10 point buck very early this morning.  Along with a 9 point buck and a 26 pound turkey last year, he's had a fairly successful hunting career, all by the age of 13!

Jewelry

Why does it seem like every day that I am home from work is very productive and yet, I have so many things on my to-do list?  Evan says I have too much on my plate.  Maybe, but I can't figure out what I can take off at this point.  I did get a few pieces of jewelry made, but was hoping to get more gifts made ahead for Christmas.  Maybe next week...

Halloween

Halloween 2012 is in the books.  The kids had a great time trick or treating and passing out candy as well.  Gone are the days of the cute, cuddly costumes.  Now we are left with blood and gore.  Already?  I thought I had a while before we entered that phase, but apparently my kids felt differently.  As for Kyle, I busted out laughing.  There are just no words for that costume!  Loved it! :)