Krissy, The Christmas Elf

Well, we did it. Our family adopted for the Christmas season a North Pole elf, a personal friend and assistant to the one and only Santa Claus. We sent our request and then we waited. She was supposed to be here around Thanksgiving. For nearly two long weeks we waited for her to arrive.

December 5th was chilly. Landon and I had just returned home after dropping Addi off at school. I heard a tiny knock on my front door. Upon opening my door I was surprised to see standing at me feet a little elf. She was dressed in a torn and tattered Hawaiian grass skirt and Christmas hat. She had a seashell tucked under one arm and a rolled up note tucked under the other. She was standing on a book, a giant book. I am not sure how that little pixie was able to carry that book with her. Later Addi suggested that she traveled on it like a magic carpet. Once I invited her in she quickly made herself at home. She helped herself to a warm cup of milk and a blanket. After finishing her milk she was gone.

Landon and I read the book she brought with her. It was an instructional story book. We learned she isn't to be touched. We can talk to her, but she will not talk back. We learned that each night she returns to the North Pole to report to Santa whether her kids were naughty or nice. However, nowhere did the book warn that our elf may initially arrive late do to any extended holidays in Hawaii. Later Addi decided that maybe Santa's elves needed vacations too!

Addi got home from school and I told her all about the little knock. Addi soon found the elf snuggled up under a blanket taking a nap on our tree.  Addi and I read her book and Addi sat down to name her. From the word Christmas Addi came up with Krissy.

On the first morning Addi woke up eager to find her. The note that Krissy carried under her arm on the day she arrived was from Santa. The note warned that Krissy may cause mischief. When Addi woke up she kept asking, "Did Krissy make this mess?" I would reply, "No honey that was there last night. We made that mess."  I guess I should have tidied up the place a bit before bed so it was easier for Addi to determine what was elf mischief!

Krissy watched over Addi the first night she was there. Throughout the month we found Krissy doing all sort of fun things. For the most part she was very well-behaved.  Krissy helped herself to the rice crispie treats, performed gymnastics on Daddy's bull elk, rocked Addi's polar bear baby, had a party with Addi's pets, peaked out of the wreath and read herself The Night Before Christmas.

It was really funny when we found Krissy lounging on Daddy's chair watching T.V!! When Daddy moved Krissy from his chair Addi reminded him, that only mommy could touch Krissy and only if she was in danger or in the way. Note there is no picture!

A few times we actually found our elf on a shelf! One night she brought home a box of candy canes and even put a few on the tree. Krissy wrote Addi a Christmas note, fell asleep in the manger, made flour angels, tried sneaking into the presents, and made a cup of hot chocolate.

Someone didn't understand the rules and would sneak elf hugs whenever he got his hands on her.

On Christmas Eve, Krissy's last night, she stayed up under Addi's tree knitting herself a skirt and ball for her hat. Addi figured she wanted to dress up for Christmas. We sure have one talented little elf!

Addi was a little sad to say goodbye to Krissy for a whole year. We all look forward to the day Krissy returns to us.

Winter Family Picture

This year we continued our yearly tradition of getting our family Christmas card photo while in the woods choosing our tree. This picture is one of my favorite all-time family photos. I just love a stump and my camera timer! 

Keeper Of All Things

Auntie Sara sent the kids the best shirts ever! They are so perfect that they deserve their own post!

May I introduce, Thing 1 and Thing 2:

 I overheard Addi talking on the phone and she said, "Well, if my Mama has a baby next year we will have to get a shirt that says Thing 3 because I was born first so I get to be Thing 1!" Keep dreamin' Thing 1!

Peacoat Heirloom

It started over 50 years ago when Grandpa Jeff was 15 months old. It continued with Daddy at 14 months and Uncle Spencer at 13 months and now you, Landon at 18 months, continue the tradition of the gray wool peacoat and hat.

Grandpa Jeff, Daddy, Uncle Spencer

It has been worn by many little boys in the Powell family, although I am sure none have worn it with as much pride as you! You were so proud to show Grandpa and Grandma your coat and hat. Just the sight of you made Grandma cry. You patted your belly and gently touched your head to show us your fancy get-ups. I dream of the day your son will proudly show off his coat to us!

{Landon, 18 months}

In A Santa Hat

Christmas is a time when spoiling our children brings me great joy. The look on their innocent faces when they open just what they asked for, dreamed of for weeks, makes this mama very, very happy. Giving to the ones we love is only part of Christmas, Addi understands the real meaning.

The night before Christmas Addi and I were snuggling in her bed reading bedtime Christmas stories. She stopped mid-story, looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Mama, you know that Christmas isn't about getting lots of presents right?! It's about caring and giving." Her heart is pure and true, she gets it. 

                                                                        

                                                                                  ****

{Addison and Landon on their second Christmas} They both get to experience their Mama pointing a camera in their face while forcing them to wear a scratchy old Santa hat! Lucky kids! 

My sweet babies. They have the same eyes and nose.

Christmas Morning

Home. I love, love, love being home on Christmas. I love spending the day in my jammies tripping over new toys and wrapping paper. I love the homemade cinnamon rolls I make and the endless pots of hot coffee. I love not having to be anywhere and I love not having to rush the kids away from their gifts. I love that my dad was here with us on Christmas. He braved the new snow on the pass and the sub-zero temps to be here for a quick overnight trip.

My dad's birthday is on Christmas Eve. I love that I was able to prepare a special meal for him, make him a cake and sing happy birthday to him. In his words, he's an old guy now! The big 6-0!

Addi, Landon and I each opened one gift on Christmas Eve night. Addi opened the new Ice Age movie and Landon fell instantly in love with the Christmas puppy Auntie Sara sent. Addi let me open a gift she made for me at school, an adorable snowman jar lantern. I loved it!

The kids cuddled together while watching Addi's new movie, each snuggling a pets. It was so adorable. 

On Christmas morning Addi and I were up at 6 am. Addi woke up the boys soon after that and the fun began. Santa was very generous to all of us. It was a wonderful time. Landon had the present thing all figured out. He spent a lot of time with each gift before opening the next. We took an intermission and had breakfast. We made the gift opening last a long time and Landon unwrapped the last gift about 10 am.

Waiting for the fun to begin.

Merry Christmas!

On A Frozen Lake

It was one of those days. The sky huge and ever blue. The snow like sparkling diamonds on the lake. The bright sun and the frigid temperatures called out to us - inviting us to play.

On Christmas Eve Eve (yep!) we attempted to go ice skating on one of the nearby frozen lakes. Addi's ice skates turned out to be too small.  Among the ice fishing huts and fished up holes we played on the ice in our boots and searched for trout swimming beneath their frozen fish bowl. It was less than 10 degrees and that gets really cold, really fast. Both kids arched their backs in protest when we made them warm up in the truck. Rosey red cheeks and noses and one frozen mama told us it was too cold to be out too long.

Landon checking out with snow sparkles from his sled. 

Addi and Daddy spinning ice circles in their boots. 

Snow angels. 

Addi received a back road driving lesson, among the endless heard of bison and deer.

A Grandma, Grandpa & Uncle Spencer Christmas

What is Christmas without being spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa? Oh, wait, the real question is... What is Christmas without Uncle Spencer doing something, UNFORGETTABLE?  Well, this year our Spencer was given a GIANT onsie. Yes, that's right a onsie. Uncle Spencer is tall, very tall. And any time you put a tall, guitar-playing, thin, pony-tailed man-child into a an onsie you are guaranteed an unforgettable day. Especially when the one year old nephew and 20-something uncle have matching red jammies, including matching butt-flaps!

And this is, Christmas!

Yes ladies! He is single and ready to min-gle!!!

 Besides Spence (not) surprising us, we had a great time eating, exchanging gifts and laughing. I love being with these people, because whatever else may be going on, you'll always be laughing.

Christmas Prep

Christmastime takes prep and we find so much joy in the prep work. Does Santa have your list? Will Santa have fresh cookies and hot chocolate? Are the gifts wrapped? Oh wait, did we mail the gifts!?

Writing a letter to Santa

Landon's first Santa letter, it consisted of one snowman sticker.

Making and decorating 10 dozen sugar cookies

Wrapping gifts. Landon was a great helper. He loved adding several additional pieces of tape to the top of the gifts.

Playing with Christmas light bokeh

Did we thoughtfully give and thank our teachers and coaches?

Is each Christmas book re-memorized?

To the best of our ability, yes!

My Littles This Month

~ The awe of wonder in his eyes. Everything is new. Everything is enchanting. White lights strung on the stair railing provided him with hours of entertainment.

~ Our friends Shane and Claudia have become close with our kids. They are wonderful people whom our kids get to share daily life with. Although his stories have more explosions and Navy Seals than the story is actually written, my children love being read to by Shane. ~ We enjoyed our small town Christmas Stroll. Landon ate cookies in his stroller and Addison make ornaments in the art studio. ~ Landon can walk and will walk if we encourage him too. He sticks his tongue out in concentration, walking back and forth to Mama and Daddy.  ~ Dancing. My kids are always dancing, with each other.  ~ Landon admiring ballet class.

~ There is nothing more fun than playing peek-a-boo with a Santa hat. ~ Bare baby feet, my favorite. ~ My silly boy loves to play. He loves making us laugh and wearing funny glasses makes us laugh. 

~ My sweet bug.

~ Addi is ready to get her ears pierced. We told he to choose the day. But for now, barrettes do the job! ~ They love, love, love to sit and read together. ~ That's one giant cookie on a sh-tick. A gift from her music teacher. ~ A princess is always dressed to impress. ~ Dancing with Daddy.

~ These two just love each other. They also love to rough-house, wrestle and tackle each other. ~ Landon enjoys dissembling the snack cupboard. ~ Walking with Daddy. ~ Landon is finally filling in that mouth with some teeth! ~ Climbing, ALWAYS climbing. ~ Landon's remote control tractor is so funny when it tries to run him over. ~Again, bare baby dancing toes!

~Someday he'll be hauling her around!

~Images from my phone. 

~ From Addi's Lens. She loves taking pictures of herself, by herself.

A Jump Into The World of Etsy

Yes, that's right. I knit. I knit a lot! It all started when my Granny taught me to knit and crochet several, several years ago. The past few months I have picked it back up. I made a headband and a scarf for Addi. I received a lot of compliments on it. I made several scarves as gifts and a headband for me. The headband is a hit. It's not my original creation, but they seem very popular in our small, super windy town. Anything to keep ears warm while combating wind-blown hair is perfect! I timidly opened a little shop on the popular handmade shopping center at Etsy.com. With only a few things actually made, ready to sell, my shop looks slim, compared to the knitting empires already on Etsy! Within the first two days of opening it I actually had two sales. Thank you to my dear friend Katie, her sale broke the ice! I am working everyday to make something new to add to my shop.

When my first headband sold, with great excitement Addi hugged me and said, "I am sooo proud of you Mama!" Addi is my little assistant. She helps me coordinate colors and takes a lot of the pictures of our creations for Etsy. She loves helping choose yarn and buttons.

Please visit my little online shopping space at NatureMamaKnits on Etsy.com Check back regularly --- nearly daily I am adding something new.  Have a particular color scheme in mind? I look forward to custom orders.

Right now I am focusing on scarves and headbands/ear warmers for women and children. Eventually I want to add newborn/infant knitted hats/outfits and fingerless gloves --- with the photographer in mind. :)

First Ballet Recital

She was terrified. I knew she would be nervous. No smiles for her proud mama. When her friend Raenee arrived, they held hands and made each other feel more comfortable. 

The first of her two Christmas recitals was held at a local retirement home. Many, many dolled up ballerinas showed off their moves for a banquet room full of family, friends and retirement home residents. Addi walked out in line with the rest of the 5 and 6 year olds. She spotted us and proudly waved. Once the music started she shyly fixed her eyes on her friend and danced her tap routine to "Jingle Bell Rock." 

Her second performance was held the following day at a school on a "real-life stage". She was more relaxed and extra excited because I put makeup on her. Again Addi secured herself to her friend and they both danced beautifully!