Christmas Favorites

    Here are some of our Christmas favorites.  (Oh and we let Talmage take most of the pictures for Christmas, so here they are in all their glory.  He did pretty well really).
     The picture above shows Brynn with her marshmallow gun Talmage gave her.  He earned extra money by mowing the front and back lawn and bagged the clippings.  He worked really hard, unfortunately for him he did a really good job too, so he has a new chore next summer.  Matt and I are sooo excited.  ;).  Talmage's class put on a Christmas store, they managed it, bought stock, provided the merchandise, employees, and security.  (Talmage was security).  The marshmallow gun was one of the more popular gifts.  Talmage really wanted to get one for him and Brynn, hence the lawn mowing.  It has been a lot of fun for them to pelt each other with marshmallows this warm winter.  
     The vacuum was one of Elly's favorites toys.  Unfortunately it was also Miles' favorite toy.  The tiger broom and ball popper toy doesn't quite measure up.  They also have marked up the price by 100% since Christmas.  I can't make myself pay double for it.  So, we are giving the kids many opportunities to share and build their relationship.  They don't quite see it that way, but they will thank us when they are older, right?

    Here is a picture of Talmage in his new pajamas I made for him.  If you look closely you can see I have the pattern mismatched on the legs.  He hasn't noticed, and who am I to let him know his pants aren't perfect.  I even made extra effort to make sure the patterns were the same direction.  Obviously too much effort.  If he notices I figure I will tell him now he is extra camouflaged with both pattern directions.  I also made him a camouflaged bed sheet.  He is going to be completely hidden now when he sleeps.  

    Here are a couple of my other homemade gifts.  The quilt is for Elly and Brynn.  I haven't quite finished it yet.  I need to put a pinwheel border and a few other stripes.  I only need to make 21 more pin wheels. With my eye surgery over and mostly healed hopefully I can finish it within the month.  When I started it Brynn and Elly  were still sharing a large bed, now they have bunk beds.  It will one of those share and grow relationships things like the vacuum.  At least till I make another quilt for the other one.  

     I also compiled a book for my dad and brothers.  My dad recorded a life history of my grandpa asking him questions.  We only have 1 of the 2 tapes, but it ended up being an hour of history.  I transcribed it and then compiled this book from its stories and also used some other life histories collected.  We also used some recently found old photos that my cousin Keri sent me.  The photos really made the book special.  I also made one for myself, and it was one of my favorite gifts.  

    For Matt I bought a peg board and organized his tools.  It was more for me than him.  I hate it when Matt needs a tool and can't find it.  We both know it was because I used it last and didn't put it up. So, now it is nicely organized and I can put them away when I am done using them.  I also put together a 4 generation paternal collage.  Its nice to have both of our family lines now on the wall.  Thanks for your help Janna, Nate, and Heather with that.  We are really glad to have it.   

I

    It was a great Christmas.  We were glad my dad could come over for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.  We listened to the recording my mom used to listen to as a child of "A Christmas Carole," and of course the book "The Other Wiseman." It was a nice relaxing holiday.

    It has stayed pretty quiet as well since then.  I got PRK surgery done early in January.  It is like LASIK, but takes a little longer recovery.  So we have been taking it easy letting my eyes heal.  Now though things are doing well and I see better than I did with glasses at least far away.  I am still waiting for the up close vision to heal completely.  Within a few months I will have my compete vision restored. I still see well up close, but it is still a little blurry too close.  I am really glad I had it done.  My vision was so poor, it is nice to not have to rely on glasses or contacts.