Saturday, December 15, 2007

Ornament Exchange Party




This week has been so hectic - yet I feel like nothing was done. But this morning I got to attend the Annual Christmas Ornament Exchange Party held by Nancy Reed. Patrick is working (again) and my sitter was not available so I left the kids with Ashli's hubby, Ian. Much thanks!!!

The kids and I ran errands in the morning before the party and mid-way through it started snowing. Hard! It came down fast and by the time we got to Nancy's, the roads were pretty yucky. But the snow made for an even more festive feel to the party, which was a nice bonus.

Everyone brought some food or drink so we socialized at first, ate some, then sat down for fun. Nancy always does a great job at making up Christmas related games, so this time we played Reindeer vs Snowmen Family Feud. It was a great time as always! We then followed it up with the pink elephant style exchange. The ornament I bought was a large ball with a bell in it (like from the movie The Polar Express). Gavin picked it out since it reminded him of that movie. I ended up with a really cute "joy" ornament that has a crystal in the o. It totally matched our decor...so that worked out well!

I spent the rest of the day finishing up Christmas cards and baking cookies. Laundry, cleaning... typical stuff to do when Daddy is on call. I just got done checking my emails and got an update from my girlfriend, Melanie in Charleston. Her baby girl (almost 4 y/o) just underwent kidney surgery on Wednesday and is starting to make positive progress. She is off the ventilator and asking for food. Her husband donated his kidney to her, so my girlfriend had to watch 2 of the most important people in her life get wheeled to the OR. Please pray for her strength, for her daughter's recovery and her husband's health as he is now at home recuperating.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Super Fun Playgroup






Today playgroup was at my house. We were making up for last week when it snowed so much - and created cards to give to an assistance living home. Ashli did a great job preparing everything and we made super cute cards - one with handprints that turned into Santa, and another with thumbprints that were reindeer. Most of the kids cooperated very well - and some were with the occasional painted hand in mom's face.

We had a large turnout which is great, but unfortunately my house is super small so it got HOT and crowded!!! But the kids all seemed to have a blast, plus it was the first time in a while that the moms sat, drank coffee or water, and talked since the kids were in viewing range at almost all times. Some of the older kids (Gavin's age is now considered older kids - aahhhh!) played in the basement and had fun trashing that area too! At the end we drew names for our gift exchange next week at our kiddie holiday party! Can you believe the holidays aer here?!?!?!!? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh again!

I had a great time and hope everyone else did. One of my girlfriends even stayed late and just hung out with me while Evie slept and Gavin and her son Bryce played...I love girlfriend chat time!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Christmas Card Making BooBoo

For those stampers out there...check this dumb a** move out. I made a sample christmas card. I decided on a pocket card with insert. I got the exact measurements needed. I wrote them down. I cut and scored the pocket, cut the outer color card stock insert, cut inner white insert, mono-adhesived them together, hole punched and put brads in the pocket card. Hole punched and put a brad in for the inner card. I got our family christmas picture taken (thanks Becca) and I got the pictures printed out and cut them to fit on the back of my card. I mono'ed them down. Many, many hours of work put into these...

SO I am almost done and I go to show them off to Patrick, hoping he will be thrilled with my abilities. The fricken' insert is 1/4 inch too wide. But if I trim them, the outer edge of the colored card stock gets cut off. And then my picture also is a bit mis-shapened. I suck. :-(