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!

Five Years In The Making ...

                 ... a picture with Santa! Hooray !!

Did she love it? No! Did he love it? No! Did either of them smile? No! Were either of them terrified to bits? No! Did either of them scream in fear and cry? NO!!! I call that a success.

Landon tried to get to know Santa by pointing out the twinkle lights to him, but Santa wasn't paying attention to Landon's toddler chatter, instead he had his attention on Mrs. Claus who was attempting to work the camera!  Addison still refused to actually sit on Santa's lap. The table was close enough!

And he's had enough. Luckily sister was by his side to tell him it was okay.

I Like Boring

A typical phone call from my Dad this morning and he asks, "What's new?" I reply, "Absolutely nothing. My life is boring lately." Dad tells me a story of a man he knows, someone from work. Dad called him with a job and the man tells him that it may take a little longer to get the work done as his wife was just diagnosed with two types of cancer, one being brain cancer. The man asks my Dad to bear with him as he works out his schedule. Dad offers to call someone else, but the man says he needs the work, he needs the money. As my heart breaks for this man and his wife ... strangers, I say a silent prayer ... Lord make their lives boring.

I was reminded that I like boring. 

This morning I was sleepily sipping coffee on the couch. The good stuff that Uncle Spencer brought stirred with the homemade vanilla/almond creamer that I love so much. My feet were snuggled in my slippers. The Christmas tree lights were on, illuminating two sweet, little faces. My babies were still in their jammies huddled over a musical Christmas book, giggling. We were together, with nowhere we needed to be. 

But today was boring. All I have on my to-do-list is to pick up milk and eggs for breakfast tomorrow.  I need to stop by the post office to drop off some bills. And of course there is laundry piled up downstairs. Landon's pants are covered in dog hair from crawling around, which means I have to clean the endless dog hair off my floors, again.

Boring means I have groceries to put away.  Boring means my bills are paid. And boring means my children are dressed in warm, clean clothes. Boring means I have two loyal, protective dogs, however hairy, they love us. Boring means I am home with my kids and there is nowhere in the world I would rather be.

Boring means I don't even have to think about what to make for dinner tonight. My friends offered to make dinner and bring it over tonight!

Boring means I am not holding my breath as I walk Landon into a doctor's appointment. Boring means I am not walking out of the NICU without him. Boring means Addison is healthy and happy and her biggest worry is whether to wear matched or unmatched socks today.

Boring means my family and friends are safe, we are not suffering. Boring means we are feeling no grief or loss.

It may be too windy to go on a walk today, but boring means I am warm in my home. Warm and safe.

Boring means I am content. I feel joy and love every boring day.

Life isn't always boring and I needed this reminder.

Today I am thankful for a typical, boring day.

{Thanks Dad, for the reminder that sometimes boring is a blessing.}

Baby It's Cold Outside

Noses are bright red and dripping and little fingers turn to ice, but that doesn't stop the climbing, joyful squealing and smiling.  It usually doesn't matter how cold it is outside, the kiddos and I have to spend a little time outside each day in order to remain sane. Winters are long and winter days can become mundane, repetitive and a little boring. The crisp, fresh air always helps improve our moods.

Landon loves to climb on the slide and ride his bike and Addison is usually in the tree!