Meeting Santa Claus

Riley was actually excited to visit Santa this year. And it is the first time ever that he didn't cry. Of course he was still kinda scared of him, but he was old enough understand who Santa was, and he wanted to make sure to tell him what he wanted for Christmas (a Lady train- which is of course, discontinued, so it's expensive, but I was able to find one on ebay for $19.99, yay!!!)

So he walked up to him, but he wouldn't let go of my hand. Somehow I managed to get him to sit next to Santa, and when he gave him a sucker, he finally let go. Mitch told me to get out of the way, and they managed to snap a picture, before Riley jumped down and dragged me back over. Then while I was holding his hand again, and helping interpret, he told Santa that he wanted a train, that he wanted Lady. This was the first time he had ever talked to Santa, and it was very cute to watch. :)

After our visit, we went to the play area, and rode all the coin operated toys (a quad, airplane, hot dog van, train, there were a bunch). He liked that! Then we stopped at the gum ball machines, and I let Riley put a quarter in, and get some candy out. I loved gum ball machines as a kid, so it was kinda cool to see Riley experience it for the first time. :):)

♥ Kim

Day 3: Sprinkle Donut Breakfast

I'm sorry I didn't post for a few days. I've been exhausted the past week. And I was gonna post yesterday, but it was my birthday (I"m 30!!!!) and my sister come up to visit me. So I'm a little behind now, but I figured that was bound to happen, so I'm not gonna worry about it. :)

On day 3, Elfie made Riley a plate of sprinkle donuts, and donut holes. Next time Elfie won't start the donuts (that have a couple hours of rising to do) at midnight!! Needless to say, I was up really, really, really late that night, and didn't wanna get up the next morning.

Elfie's donut breakfast also included hot chocolate with marshmallows. Yummy! And a special spot was set at the table, just for Riley.

Riley thought breakfast was awesome. He wouldn't touch the big donuts (he said they had holes in them, haha) but he did enjoy a donut hole, he drank most of his hot chocolate, and ate lots of marshmallows.

Later that day, we went to visit Santa. I think I'll do a quick post about our visit in a bit. :)

♥ Kim

Day 2: Elfie's Toy Tower

For his second night of fun Elfie decided to raid Riley's toys, and build a giant tower! It's a combo of magneatos, legos, stacking cups and books with a Hershey's kiss on top.

Here's the note he left for Riley:

He pulled the ottomans out from under the toy box, and built the tower on top of them. It helped make it even taller. Plus it prevented Chumba from knocking the whole thing over in the middle of the night.

He also used some letter magnets and alphabet legos to leave Riley a message. :):)

Then he got inside the tower and decided to relax until Riley got up.

Riley spotted the kiss immediately. He gobbled it up, and left the wrapper in it's place, haha. Then he took Elfie out and put some wrapped books (from day 1) inside the tower. He knocked it over in the process. But that's okay, cause he had other plans to make the tower even taller!!

He got out all of his alphabet legos, and with Daddy's help he stacked every one of them on top. He did all the work, but had to stand on a kitchen chair to reach, and needed Daddy's help to balance. I was shocked they all went up without falling!!

He was rather impressed with his creation. I have the cutest picture of him sitting on the arm of the green chair taking pictures of it. In case you hadn't noticed, he hates clothing, and is butt naked all the time (even today when it was snowing outside), and of course he was naked in that picture, so no sharing. But it was so sweet, and he sooooo takes after me, taking pictures of his projects, and doing whatever it takes to get that perfect shot. It's super cute to watch him do his thing.

So that's it. Elfie needs to print out some coloring pages for tonight, and I need to go watch The Vampire Diaries, and maybe some Nikita before i go to bed. Good night.

♥ Kim

Day 1: Wrapping up Books

Yesterday I introduced you to Elfie. We are actually on day 5 already, but I've been busy crocheting another elf for my sisters kids, we visited Santa, and have been busy with Christmas and non-Christmas stuff. So I wasn't even sure if I was gonna share our adventures here on the blog. But I decided yesterday that since I was sharing with all my Facebook friends already, I might as well share over here too!!

I used the first day to start an awesome Christmas tradition I seen on Pinterest (here) the pin doesn't actually lead anywhere, which normally drives me nuts, but I loved the idea so much, I repinned anyways. You can read Elfie's letter below for details if you want. I'm using the line art I bought on all of Elfie's letters and notes, kinda like his own personalized stationary.

He only wrapped enough books for the week, I think tonight I (he) will wrap the rest. I used books that we already had, although Riley thinks that all the book are new, because I used some that were in his bookshelves upstairs, that don't get read as often. I did order a couple new books too, and will wrap those with some more from Riley's library tonight.

All Riley could talk about all day, was the adventures Elfie was gonna have that night while he was asleep. And Elfie was the first thing he asked about in the morning. He was thrilled to find him when we came downstairs.

We read the letter together, then I explained that we would open a book when it got dark, but Riley couldn't wait for night time to open a book. So of course I let him open one that morning, and also one that night. The books have been a big hit. Every night when it gets dark, Riley asks to open a book, then we grab our Christmas blanket, lay it on the floor next to the tree, and Elfie, Riley and me (and Daddy if he's not working) lay down and read a book. It's nice. And I like that it is teaching my little 3 year old patience, which is an added bonus to our sweet new tradition.

I was a little nervous about how Elfie's magical adventures would go ever with Riley, and had plans for some magic dust (glitter) that would make him sleep (meaning no night time adventures) if Riley was scared. But he LOVES everything about it. And last night he even woke up in the middle of the night, and snuck in the kitchen to see what Elfie was up to, haha.

I'll be back with more fun tomorrow! See you then! :)

♥ Kim

Meet Elfie

I love the idea of Elf on the Shelf. Well, at least the magical fun he has every night. I'm not a huge fan of the spying for Santa. I mean it's cool for other parents, but just not my thing. And I hate that the kids aren't supposed to touch him. Again I get why, but I know my kid, and that just wouldn't work.

Plus he's not very cute. So I decided to do a similar idea, but where I crochet the elf, and make up our own rules (you will see them in the letter to Riley in my next Elfie post).

I started by searching for elf graphics. I found cute elf line art (digital stamps) here, and colored him in Photoshop. See??

Cute, huh? Then I searched for a crochet elf pattern (I didn't have the time or desire to start from scratch) and I found this one: here (you can also buy it here). It's adorable, and I knew it'd be perfect for this project!! I made a couple modifications, and added a few things to make him look like the graphic above. I noted all the changes here in my Ravelry account. Just in case you wanna make your own! :):)

I seriously love him, and so does Riley!!

To give you an idea of his size, here is a picture I took of him and Riley in front of the Christmas Tree. Total cuteness!!! I am gonna share our daily (nightly) adventures here on my blog. We didn't start on December 1st like I planned, cause I wasn't done with him yet. But I don't think Riley minds. :)

So I guess you'll be seeing me a lot this month (for a change!!) Can't wait to share all our fun! :):):)

♥ Kim

Visiting California {Christmas}

OK, I better get on with the posting of our California trip. We spent Christmas Eve at Mitch's parents house. See, this is them in their Harley Davidson sweaters we bought them!!!


And you totally can't see the sweaters that good. Oh well! Mitch made them pose for a pic in them, it was sooo cute!

So back to my story. Remember I spent the ENTIRE day wrapping presents and finishing my Christmas cards! Fun!!! Connie made a YUMMY Roast beef dinner. Then me and Mitcheal went to bed in the trailer where we stayed!

I like staying in the trailer. It has privacy. The only sucky thing is that the water wasn't tuned on. So when I had to pee I had to either sneak inside {and risk waking them up in the middle of the night... ummm, no NOT me!} or go pee in a cup. Hahaha. Guess which one I did! Yeppers, I peed in a cup! It wasn't so bad. I do it at the doctors office, and every time I take one of those {many many many} darn pregnancy tests.

Christmas morning more of the family came over, and Connie made breakfast. Plus we had lots of yummy Mimosas, like we do every year!

Then we opened presents!!!

I got a couple pictures of Travis on his little Harley Davidson bike! He even got some gloves, which I helped him put on!



Check out Dennis {my father in law} and Travis making silly faces for the camera!


I really like these pictures of me and Mitch with little Travis. Connie was trying to sneak in a picture of us three snuggling on the couch, but she couldn't figure out how to use the camera. So I had to get up and show her. We ended up with more posed pictures instead, but they still remind me of the sweet moment.



After a while we left for Jackson to have Christmas dinner at my sister Danetta's house. Here is a quick pic of her and her hubby Jordan.


Once again everyone was there but Laura. You'd think I only had two little sisters from all the pictures.

Here is little Sami getting herself some Turkey!


Everyone was starved except me! I was still stuffed from our HUGE breakfast at Connie's.

Izaiah decided he wanted some Christmas dinner too! Uncle Mitchy was more than happy to share his with him.



He is a little cutie pie! I wish I could spend more time with the little booger!


ADORABLE
So, we hung out for a while with the family. I believe there was a fight between me and Sami {what can I say, we are sisters and when we get together and *don't* fight it is simply AMAZING} I stormed out, and was promptly "carried" back inside to say goodbye by Mitcheal. Everyone thought that was VERY funny!

Afterward, Mommy, Josh, Mitch and me went to the Main Event bar for a couple drinks {mine were water, cause I was the designated driver} and dancing! Remember???

Then we dropped Mommy and Josh off, and went back to our *cozy* little trailer for out last night in California! :o)

This one's for you Amber!

Hehehe, did I get your attention Amber?

So, you asked me about the presents I wrapped for Christmas, they were nothing extraordinary. Just different!

I started with a piece of wrapping paper that was large enough to go all the way around the gift. Then I folded it over the gift, leaving 3 open sides. I stitched together 2 of the open sides, then stuck the gift inside, and stitched up the last side.

I had to be very careful with the delicate wrapping paper... I'd seen a tutorial for this, using kraft paper, click here to read it. But I couldn't find any, so I decided to try it with wrapping paper. It was fabulous for wrapping oddly shaped gift... without needing boxes.

Plus it made it *really* easy for the kids to open the presents, without the hassle of tape, they were able to really just RIP them open! :o)

Here is a picture of my nephew Travis {I have two nephews named Travis, this is Mitch's sisters son} opening his present! It's not the best picture... I was too busy to take a {good} picture of the presents like I usually would have! Wish I had now though!

Anyways, I thought this was the best way to answer your question! Hope the picture, and link to the post where I got the idea helped!!!

About time I shared these {Christmas Cards}

Good golly.... I have been SICK! On Christmas my little nephew Izaiah was sick, well, he got my hubby Mitcheal sick, and then Mitch got ME sick! UGHHH. I've been in bed for days. But... I am finally feeling a bit better.

And since we are a whole 7 days into the New Year already, I thought I better get on with this Christmas sharing stuff I never got around to. So I'm starting with my Christmas cards!

Remember I was using all these pretty pink papers? Well, here is the finished product!

I didn't finish my cards until Christmas Eve, hehehe. I just got so busy with all the projects I was doing! I finished them at my mother in laws house, and handed them out to everyone on Christmas Day. Which was kinda cool, because I got to watch everyone open them.

Yeah, do they look hard to open to you? Well, several of my in-laws had a hard time getting them open. It was quite funny to watch them. They couldn't figure out that you slide the first part off them pull the picture out. They kept trying to rip the paper, lol!

Oh, and one more thing while I'm on a similar subject.... I machine sewed my presents shut. No tape, no scissors. It was different, but turned out cute! The presents looked like little pillows.

Well, after I was done and put everything under the tree, my father in law looks at the presents, and says "wow, check out that wrapping paper, it's so different, how did you do that?"

And after some coaxing, we figured out that he thought I'd woven the paper on my sewing machine!

Yep.... too funny!!! I used "non-traditional" wrapping paper, he'd never seen it in those colors and patterns. So he thought I'd been in the other room making it! LOL!

We were dying with laughter as we explained that I'd just sewn the packages shut, nothing more! And couldn't resist teasing him Christmas morning as we were opening the presents!

So, I decided that next Christmas I'm gonna have to REALLY wow him with my wrapping job! :o)

Card in Progress

I am in the process of making my Christmas cards. I have enough patterned paper to make 15 cards. One is done already. Maybe I will buy more paper, maybe not. We'll see how I feel when I'm done. So, wanna see the photo insert I made for my cards?

You know you do! Here it is...


And...... here is my work area. I have all my paper cut, and ready to go! It should be easy breezy to get it all done!



You can see the finished card in one of the pictures. But no details until I am ALL DONE! Soon! I gotta get these babies sent out before Christmas is here! So, I gotta get back to my studio now! :o)

Christmas Pictures

On Tuesday I made Mitch pose for some pictures for our Christmas cards. Of course he didn't wanna, but he did it anyways, cause he loves me that much {hahaha, actually he was probably just sick of listening to me talk about it.}

I set up my tripod, and ran back and forth between the camera and the Christmas tree, setting my timer for every picture. After each one Mitch kept saying "Only two more, then I'm done." He was such a good sport, he stuck it out for about 20 picture, and 3 changes of my shirt! Hehee.

Here are a few of the pictures, that turned out. The firt one is my favorite, which is why I shared the original and the photoshop edited version.



This one is too funny! Check out the look on Mitch's face. I couldn't stop laughing when I seen it the first time! I'm using these first two for our Christmas card. Last night I made a naughty and nice {silly and sweet} photo strip with them. Super cute. I'll show you later.


I think these last two pictures are cute, but I don't like the black on black shirts. So I'm not using them. But I thought I'd share them, so they serve some purpose. :o)



Anyways, I gotta go do stuff. I designed my Christmas card, the sample is done, but I need to make more now {14 is all I'm doing.}

Tonight is super windy!!! I'm soooo scared. I think wind is seriously my biggest phobia. It is expected to get up to 70-100 mph late into the night. Scary!!! Good thing I'm staying up, cause I can't sleep when I can hear the wind. Even my unconscious self is scared of it, if I hear wind in my sleep, I wake up and run to the window to make sure we haven't blown away.

waka waka <------ that was Mitch deciding he wanted to help me blog tonight. Hahaha. Well, it's time for bed {for him that is} so I'm gonna go tuck him in and snuggle for a bit. Good night!

All but the Star

My star disappeared! Actually both of my {two} stars never made it into my Christmas boxes last year, :o( Soooo, I need to buy, or maybe make a new one this year. But besides that, my tree is all done and pretty!

I always get a Charlie Brown tree. Mitch grew up with them, and I love you Mitch, but now that you caved and let me get "my" kinda tree, we are never going back!

Here is "my" kinda tree that we got this year!!! Before the decorating began!


Before I continue, I promised to share my FUN tree stand drama!!! Seriously, that thing had me almost in tears {Mitch too!}

Apparently, we lost our old tree stand too, in the move. So, we bought a new one, it was similar to our old one, the box said it was for trees up to 7 feet tall. Well ours is a little over 6 feet, so we thought "perfect".... ummm, wrong!!!! We struggled and struggled, screwing those stupid screws as tight as we could, trying so hard to get the tree to stand straight. Well, we thought we did a pretty good job. But I had to go and decide to touch the tree, it wasn't quite where little OCD me wanted it.

All of a sudden I was on the floor, and the tree was on top of me. Seriously! The tree FELL on me!!! It was funny, but Mitch, who had just spent over 1/2 hour under the tree twisting those dang screws was furious. He was yelling at me, asking why I had to touch it. Ummm, hello! I have to "touch" it to decorate it honey!

Well, we decided to try some more, after an hour, and nothing but a very wobbly tree, WE. WERE. DONE.

One of the stupid screws wouldn't even tighten anymore, I guess I stripped out the whatchamacallit! We put the stupid tree stand back in the box, drove back to the store {it was about 10 pm by them} and we spent a few more dollars, and bought the easy breezy {so the box said} sturdy looking stand.

This time, the box was right!!! I love our new tree stand. It makes me very very very HAPPY! Seriously, putting up the tree will never be the same again. I wonder if I'll miss the moaning and groaning that comes from Mitch's mouth ever year? nah! :o)

I FINALLY got to decorate my tree, hours and hours {and three trips to the store} later!

Here are a couple "during" pictures!



I always decorate my tree all by myself. I was shocked I was able to get Mitch to snap a few pictures of me doing it! It was as far as his participation went! Oh well, he'll be the one on the roof hanging lights on Tuesday! Heheee!

I spent hours decorating! But that is the fun part, and I didn't mind.I stayed up all night long! I really like my pretty tree!!! Wanna see?!


The only thing missing is the star on top! Oh and the presents underneath, hehehe! Here's a couple night time pictures, without the flash, to see the pretty colorful lights!


Falalalala, check out some of my favorite ornaments!






And I got this at Target, I couldn't resist! Too cute!!!


Even though Mitch didn't help, and fell asleep during the decorating process, Chumba was always right there to keep me company, and of course drive me crazy! He's managed to make a mess of my stuffed animals! Somehow, he thinks they are ALL his chew toys. Oh and Karma hides from him under the tree, so he thinks he's allowed to chase her behind it. It's a wonder it hasn't fallen over again, lol!!!

Here's my little Chummers, getting as close as he possibly can, without getting yelled at!


Last night at dinner the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" came on. Me and Mitch spent the whole dinner trying to remember what thing went with what day. I have a "The Twelve Days of Christmas" book, so we pulled out the book and sang it together when we got home, remembering all the words. We were laughing so hard, it was so much fun!

Anyways, I pulled another all nighter, so I'm going to bed now! I just kissed Mitch goodbye, as he left for work. And I'm getting a little tired! Happy Monday! :o)