Sweetest Present Ever!

Last week we got a package in the mail from my parents. My Mom had told me beforehand that there were several presents but that one particular present was for the kids to open upon arrival. So the girls opened it and this is what they got.

It is the best present ever!

It is the story of "The Night Before Christmas" and it is being read by my MOM! My kids love it! They "read" it over and over again. Thank you so much Mom! That was such a sweet present.

Here is a video of Charity "reading" the book.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Trees

I bought this little tree during my second year of college. We used it from 2003-2005, and 2007.

In 2006, we bought a 6 1/2 ft. pre-lit tree which we used that year (not pictured), but in 2007 we didn't have enough room to put it up so we hung the little one form the ceiling. It also prevented our two young children from getting it.

This is our tree last year. With the new house we had plenty of space to put up our big tree but we were still using the same decorations that we had used for 5 years.

So last year after Christmas we picked up some new decorations that match the rest of our Christmas ensemble better. Here is our tree this year.

To see my other Christmas decorations see my post titled "Christmas Decorations." You can find it quickly by clicking on "2008" in my "Blog Archive" which is along the right side of my blog.

Bauman/Briscoe Family Picture

This summer while we were out west we were able to get a picture with James' grandpa and James' brother's family. James' grandfather out lived his wife and both his children so James and his brother are his only grandchildren. Thankfully they both married fertile women or this family picture would be even smaller.

Halloween 2009

Here are the pictures of Halloween.

Cheeseclothe Ghost

Here is how I made the cheeseclothe ghost.

Supplies
3 yds. Cheeseclothe
1 bottle Stiffy (fabric stiffener)
black felt
plastic spiders (optional)

glitter (optional)
small balloons
popsicle sticks
masking tape
box (to put it on while it dries)
can of food
plastic wrap

Step 1: Cover box with plastic wrap, secure with masking tape.

Step 2: Make ghost form out of balloon, masking tape, and can. At this point you can add arms by blowing up 2 waterballoon size balloons and puting them on sticks portruding frontwards.

Step 3: Put 3 yards of cheeseclothe (cut into single yard lengths) into large ziplock bag, pour in about half a bottle of Stiffy. Squish bag until clothe is throughly coated. Pull out clothe one length at a time, gently sqeeze (DO NOT Ring-out.) Drape over form. I like to have it more gathered in the front and flowing out in the back so my ghost looks like he's moving. I also add glitter at this point.

Step 4: Allow to dry for 2-4 days. Then add eyes, mouth, and spiders.

Pumpkin Carving

For Family Home Evening yesterday we carved pumpkins.

Lizzy had fun but thought the guts were "yucky."
Charity really got into the carving this year and even pulled out the guts.

Sam just crawled around and tried to eat stuff.

The kids had a great time.