Christmas Goodies

It has been a sort of tradition for quite a few years now that my mom and I and (more recently) my sister spend a whole day making Christmas goodies. Every year we have our staple goodies and then we like to try some new things. We always make a huge mess and we never estimate enough time, but when it's all done, it's worth it! And I love that I have this special tradition with my mom, which I plan to carry on with Hollyn (who participated this year by napping and playing with Aunt Kristy).

This year I found a perfect ornament for my mom! (And of course I got one for myself too ;) I love the idea that every year when we put this on our trees we can think of all the fun memories we have shared baking together!

(My sis has decided her tree will only have pig ornaments so I got her a cute pig... but I didn't think to take a pic)

Like I said, we make a big mess...

But we were very productive...

Chocolate covered cookie dough balls

Gingerbread men

Oreo truffles

Pecan bark

Coconut bon-bons

Homemade turtles (thank you Pinterest)

Peppermint bark

Yummm!!!

Thanks mom and Kris for a successful and memorable day! Here's to over indulgence! :)

Tutus for Jesus

Every year around Christmas time our church (Clear Creek Community Church) has a giving campaign called First Gifts to Jesus. All donations given to First Gifts to Jesus go towards the following ministry areas:

People in Need - exists to meet the acute, short term financial needs of members and attenders of CCCC and, when possible, to assist under-resourced families in our community.

Church planting and missions - exists to identify, train and resource church planters in the U.S. and around the world

Children and Student camps - exists to help reduce the cost to a family of elementary aged children and Jr. High and Sr High students attending Christian camps throughout the year

 This gift is meant to be above and beyond our 10% tithe that God calls us to give. Tithing 10% is a tough challenge and one, I believe, to be the most difficult. It definitely requires a complete trust in God.

A few years ago my husband and I decided to surrender completely to God by committing to tithe our full 10%. It was very difficult for me and, honestly, we haven't always been perfect at this. So when we are challenged even further, by being asked to give above and beyond our 10%, it is tough. Quite frankly, with tight finances, (as many our experiencing) I had to ask myself how this would be possible.

That's where Tutus for Jesus comes in! From now until Christmas all profits from tutus sold will go towards First Gifts to Jesus. This project will allow me to give above my normal tithe. I debated whether or not to make this a public project or keep it private in order to make sure my heart was in the right place. After praying about it, I decided making it public would have two benefits, 1) it could encourage more sales which would increase the amount given to First Gifts to Jesus and 2) it would hold me accountable to make sure 100% of profits are donated.

Tutus with two colors of tulle, a ribbon, and a gem stone (as pictured below) are $18. I can make any combination of colors so long as I can find the tulle. Visit Koncepts by Kate to view more sample tutus. (For local orders I am willing to deliver or meet up. If tutu must be shipped, I will have to charge shipping, however, I would imagine it wouldn't be too expensive.)

Thanksgiving 2011

I may be a week late but at least it's still November, barely, but still. I wanted to take a moment and post some pics from Hollyn's first Thanksgiving. (To think, a year ago on this day we were telling extended family she was coming!)

We had a great Thanksgiving full of family, food, and fun!

My cousin Meg has hosted my mom's side's Thanksgiving for many years and this was the first Thanksgiving in her new house!  The house was beautiful and of course the food was delicious as always!

Hollyn getting some love from her Nana.

 Grandpop had the magic touch.

Nap time! The turkey does it every time ;)

Found this pic later... guess someone got a hold of my camera :)

All the women on my mom's side.

Later that evening we had another delicious Thanksgiving dinner at Jeff's parents' house.

"Oh, Grandpa Billy!"

Uncle Jeremy stealing some hugs.

Hollyn has become fascinated with all the dogs.

Brothers will always be brothers!

Bubby love!

Mimi and Pop Pop

A competitive game of Scrabble... intense!

On Friday we had a special "day after Thanksgiving" get together with my dad's extended family (his cousins and their kids) at our house. Unfortunately, we rarely see this side of the family. We are kind of spread out now and it's tough to get everyone together at one time. So dad's cousin Loree and myself have committed to trying to get the family together at least once a year.

Dad and his cousin Loree and cousin Robin.

Thankful for my fancy, fast camera! Caught ya, dad! :)

Jeff and Cohl jammin' out.

Cousins!

All the ladies...

And the men.

Can you tell whose not blood related??? Hehe! Sorry honey, I had to ;) Apparently, my dad's side is pretty tall.

What a wonderful couple of days celebrating all the many blessings we have to be thankful for with family (the best blessing of all)!

Hollyn is Four Months Old Today!

 Despite my disbelief, you are four months old today!!!

Let's see what you've been up to...

My little turkey (outfit courtesy of Mommy :)

At your four month check up you weighed 14lbs., 25.25in long, and 39.25cm head circumference (Your percentiles stayed about the same). You had to get three shots (they were out of the fourth one you were suppose to get so your chubby thighs got spared an additional stab!) and one oral vaccine. When the nurse went to give you the oral vaccine I was like, "Oh, she won't take that. Let me get prepared with a burp cloth." So just to prove me wrong, you slurped that thing down! Apparently it's really sweet.

You've been sleeping through the night so well since you were a month old but this past month you started waking up in the middle of the night for a couple weeks... you seem to be back to sleeping through the night again... for now anyways... you like to keep me on my toes!

 You've started to like tummy time more.

And you do a good job pushing yourself up.

You love Hank... and he seems fond of you. You love to pull his soft, fluffy hair (that, I'm not sure he is so fond of).

You reach and grab your toys (as well as other things) and bring them to your mouth.

This looks interesting.

You still refuse to take a bottle! It's not like I want you to take it that often, it would just be nice for mommy and daddy to be able to leave you with Grammy and Grandpop for more than a couple of hours. But you are one stubborn little girl (no idea where you get that from ;). I've tried many different bottles and different nipples and you want nothing to do with any of them. You pretty much cry at the sight of a bottle. So you know what??? You win! I've decided to go straight to a sippy cup with a rubber spout. And you actually drank a few sips of water out of it!

You definitely have the strength to sit up but you are too wiggly to keep from falling over.

17 Weeks

You love to go shopping! (Just like mommy ;) You are pretty happy to ride in your stroller and look around but you really like to be in your Bjourn baby carrier. I think you are able to see more.

16 Week

You laugh a lot now and we love it... and quite frankly, we are willing to make complete fools out of ourselves for the chance to hear that sweet little giggle.

You are such a ham!

Strike a pose!

 You like your dangling bugs hanging from your carrier and you've learned to reach for them to make them jingle (I think you are really trying to rip them down to eat them ;)

15 Weeks

The doctor suggested starting solids so we did.

Your high chair is still a little big for you.

You had your first taste of cereal...

And peas...

And carrots (Which have been your favorite so far).

My little elf <3

You met your Great Grandma Marti for the first time this month! We had a great visit.

We visited a pumpkin patch for a cute photo op.

My pumpkin in a pumpkin patch.

You liked the Hollyn sized pumpkins :)

We took you to the Friendswood  Trick-or-Treat in the Park... didn't realize it was a very popular event! The crowds were a little much so we didn't stay very long.

You were a lady bug for Halloween (fitting since daddy calls you his Holly Bug).

And you went trick-or-treating with your friends (Well, daddy carried you and you passed out about halfway through).

14 Weeks

You started rolling from your tummy to your back a little before you were three months, but at first it seemed more like an accident. Then, the day after you turned three months we caught you in action!

This month you also started rolling from your back to your stomach and now you are a rolling machine!

You are just so much fun! We've really enjoyed how alert and active you've become this month! We are thankful for so many things this Thanksgiving season, but most of all, you! We love you little girl!

Biological Bonus

When my husband and I started dating 9 years ago (yesterday), I fell in love with his family. I loved the fact that he had a big (or at least bigger than mine) family.

One particularly cool aspect of his family is that his mom was adopted as a baby. While her adoptive parents are her mom and dad, she found her biological mom, Marti, when she was 30 and developed an amazing relationship with her. I think this is so cool and I tell Jeff he has a bonus grandma :)

Marti comes to visit about once a year and this year was extra special because she got to meet her first great granddaughter!

4 generations

We spent part of her visit enjoying the beautiful weather with a trip to the Pearland Town Center. It was a great visit full of love and laughter.

We love you, Marti and look forward to your next visit :)