Three Christmas Peformances

Whew, we've been involved in three performances this Christmas season. Olivia was a cat in her school play. (She's over on the left side.)

Next, Olivia danced with her dance class in a little Christmas number for the parents. She is quite the poser! I can't hardly believe she has been taking dance for 5 years!
Last, both kids were involved in our children's church Christmas play. Olivia was one of the main characters with lots of lines and a solo, she did great! Daniel was a camel and had four lines, he did a wonderful job!
What a great way to celebrate the Christmas season!

2010 Christmas Cards

I love planning, taking, getting and sending my photo Christmas cards each year. I think my cards are some of the first many of my friends get. It is neat to share a little Christmas spirit with our family and friends.

One of the great options for anyone to use is Shutterfly. They have TONS of great options to choose from. Here is one I did on their easy to use website in a previous year:

We got lots of compliments on this card.

I've also made a couple of little photo albums of our summer activities.

This year I've had a hard time getting my thoughts around the Christmas picture. I had one from our trip to Florida, but Daniel has changed sooo much. I come up with ideas and the rest of the family votes me down. They'll have to get with it soon enough, as I need to get moving.

Check out some of the Christmas card ideas here.

I've also done calendars for grandparents. You can see them here.

Oh, and believe it or not, I'm also thinking of birthdays during the holiday season, as Olivia's is in January and Daniel is March. Check out invitations here.

So, my goal this weekend is to get the house decorated for Christmas, take a great photo and order my cards from Shutterfly!

**Shutterfly is supplying me with 50 free Christmas photo cards for helping them with this promotion.

We're Thankful For...

A - America, apples, Aiden, Amanda
B - Bob, balloons, bears, Ben
C - cats, Chloe, couches, church
D - dad, doctors, Daniel, dogs, Doug, Dianna
E - Erica, eyes, ears
F - fast food, family, friends
G - God, Greta, Granny Lucille
H - hospitals, Halloween, holidays
I - ice cream
J - Jesus, Jeff, Janet's, Jena, Jerry
K - Kendal, Kenny
L - Lisa, love, Levi
M - Maw, Memaw, mom, M&Ms, money, Melissa
N - Nanny, nuts, Niki
O - Olivia, octopus, Oreo
P - Pepaw, Paige, prayer
Q - Mrs. Q, quail
R - Ramage family, running, Ryan
S - Steven, Sydney, socks, school
T - teachers, tea cups, teddy bears
U - umbrellas, unicorns
V - violins, Vanessa
W - water, Wacker Inc.
X - xrays
Y - you
Z - zebras

Uncommon Stroke Symptoms

Last week my husband experienced symptoms of what seemed to be vertigo or inner ear infection. He had dizziness, headache and nausea. We treated him for this for four days.

By Friday he hadn't gotten any better, so we went on to the doctor. We ended up one state over in a hospital and Jeff had had a stroke at the back of the head. They put in a drainage port to drain excess luquid off of his brain, which was causing all of the symptoms. We expect a full recovery.

We want to start making sure that people realize that strokes don't always happen the normal way. You don't always get symptoms on one side of the body. He still had full function of both hands.

Also, we want everyone to know that God is Good! and Miracles happen every day!

Happy Halloween!

October Happenings

I love October. So much fun stuff to do. A couple of weeks ago we went to the Hunter's Moon Festival. Olivia and her Girl Scout troop got to lead the kids costume parade. Daniel (aka Mario) got 3rd place in the 4- 6 age group!
Last weekend we had a church hayride. Beautiful day!

I've gotten a couple of orders for cake carriers this week. I made one owl themed and one hummingbird themed. They are fun to make!

My First Craft Booth

Today at our local Octoberfest celebration, I had the pleasure of having a booth with 2 fun, crafty women. We had lots of different vinyl gifts and flower arrangements.

The weather started out beautiful, then turned really windy. We packed it in a little earlier than we thought we would.

We had a good day and saw lots of friends. The kids got to play some games, eat a hot dog, Daniel rode on the church float, and Olivia watched the parade to gather candy!

I've got some of these items left. Let me know if you see something you like!

WFMW: teaching kids to sew

I'm starting this off by saying I am not a seamstress! I got my first sewing machine a few years ago and am lucky to sew a straight line. Now my dear friend, Holly, who I took home ec with in high school, makes beautiful clothes for her daughter. We had some good times in that class....

Anyway, Olivia found this book on sale at my school for $4! (I teach at a high school and a book company sets up a display every couple of months for the teachers.)

The book has wonderful pictures and instructions for little girls and moms to follow.
Olivia and I picked out some felt this past weekend and she made herself some cupcakes! She was so proud.

Now she's ready to tackle more sewing challenges - this definitely works for me! Pop over to WFMW at We're THAT Family.

**Made by Me by Jane Bull - DK Publishing

A Birthday Gift and Baby Chloe

Cousin Brookelyn had a fun luau themed birthday party last weekend. We made her a "cookin' with Brookelyn" bowl with vinyl, then stuffed it with measuring cups & spoons, cake and cookie mixes, fun sprinkles and pink icing. I hope she makes a big mess cookin' with her mom!

Here's a glimpse into Chloe Belle's bedroom. Aunt Niki has decorated it so cute! Check out Ben's old dresser - it used to be brown, but with a little paint and fabric it looks fabulous. Niki put the material on with spray adhesive.


And, last but not least a peek at Baby Chloe! She's beautiful!


I'm linking up to Made by you Monday! Pop over and have a look.

Photography Practice

Still learning with my Digital Rebel....while the kids enjoyed some Popsicles. Trying to get "light in their eyes".

Back to School and a Flashback

2008
2009
2010

A Baby Shower

Last weekend we had a shower for Niki and Ben in anticipation of baby Chloe Isabella making her appearance in August.

Sister Paige, mom and I had fun crafting a few things for the day. It turned out really cute and fun. Paige made the "cupcake tower" out of onesies, washcloths and socks. I made the "real" cupcake stand out of boxes and ribbon. The silver platter holds one of the games we played. Each is a miniature diaper filled with mints. One held "baby poop", or mustard. Wouldn't you know it, the mommy to be won that one! Mom and one of her friends redid the adorable rocking chair.

We can't wait to meet you Chloe Belle!

Vacation Highlights

We had a fun, relaxing time in Tarpon Springs. The time with Memaw and Pepaw was great! We went to Caladisi Island, Sunset Beach, the sponge docks, Weeki Wachi Springs to see the mermaids, the shark aquarium to pet sting rays, and ate WAY too much.