Arrangements

I post these pictures every year, and ever year it signals I am prepared for winter.  Physically, the work is done - all fall yardwork and projects are complete.  Mentally, I am not there yet.  The weather has been so beautiful, it is hard to think about snow and cold.  We were outside this weekend without jackets.  It is wonderful - I will take every day that I can like this!  And...enjoy the fact all of my outside projects are complete when the snow and cold does hit! :)

Busy Weekend for Jewelry

I had a crazy busy weekend for orders this weekend.  Thank goodness I was at my Mom's and she could help with my boys.  People are planning ahead and ordering for Christmas.  I love early shoppers - I am going to be taking my last orders on December 1, so get your orders in now!!!!! :)

This is a new style tag I made - I made it to attach to Christmas gifts.  I thought it was a fun tag that could be used on a jacket or  backpack after Christmas!

This is a 1 1/8" ring, used to accommodate more characters:

This is a 1 1/4" washer and a 3/4" inset.  This is the most characters/names I have been asked to put on a necklace - 11 grandkids!!!

I made two of this exact same necklace - one for my Aunt and one for my cousin:

This one makes me smile - Ryan punched it all by himself and decided he wanted to put the star on it as well.  I love how he just wants to jump in there and do it all on his own.  He'll be taking orders soon, too!!!! :)



Grandma's Helper

Ryan loves to 'help'.  Although, typically with his help, things take twice as long, but that is how they learn.  Grandma was cooking dinner last night and Ryan had to help.  He is so enthusiastic about helping, I just wish that would continue!!!  Dream on, right?

Grandpa's Hunting Buddy

Carter kept watch for Grandpa to come in from hunting this weekend.  As soon as he spotted him in the stand closest to the house (within view from the house), he headed out to join him.  I watched as he made his way through the woods and started to climb into the stand.  Shortly thereafter, Grandpa made his way in from the stand.  Not sure why...I can't imagine that Carter would be anything other than quiet, patient, and helpful to Grandpa in the stand?  :)

School Pictures

Here are the boys school pictures from this year - we just received the last one (Carter's) this week:

Kyle, Sixth Grade at Legacy Christian Academy:

Ryan, Kindergarten at Johnsville Elementary School:

Carter, Preschool at Family of Christ Christian Preschool:

They are growing up so fast!!!!!!  I rememer my Mom telling me when I was growing up that she was going to put me in her pocket to keep me little and I thought that was so strange.  Now I'm wondering if I can get big enough pockets...  :)

Halloween in Anoka

Evan's hairstylist, shown in this blog post, gave Evan this picture at his haircut yesterday.  It was taken after my run when we stopped in her shop to say hello.  Everyone is looking...and smiling - how did she accomplish that in one shot?  Notice Carter wearing my cat/bunny (whatever they were!) ears - he has worn them steady since Halloween! :)

Anniversary

Tonight marked our third anniversary of the Partridge Preserve Book Club.  We have lost a couple members, 1 moved away and 1 dropped out due to her busy travel schedule for work.  We currently have 9 members, but 2 were missing tonight.  We are all busy parents and it is hard to coordinate a night that works well for everyone's schedule.  I was always a reader growing up, but hadn't read a lot since I had kids until I started the book club.  Now I read every book.  I think in 3 years, there were 2 books I couldn't get through because they didn't hold my interest.  I love being exposed to wide variety of books since everyone takes their turn picking out books.  I love the group of ladies, too - we talk about the book a little and then just sit and visit and enjoy each other's company! :)

2009, Our Two Year Anniversary:

2008, Our One Year Anniversary: