December 12th

Rachel nonchalantly waits to be freed in the morning.


"Is it time for breakfast?!"


My mom made this calendar from old cards, felt and craft supplies she had around the house. Genius! 


She made it for my older sisters long before I came into this world.  I don't remember a Christmas without it.  Now I get to watch my kids fall in love with it too.


Joseph loves the camera.


As soon as he sees it  flash he begins grinning and high tails it over to me for a closer look.


"Oooh!"


Rachel and I played with "the letters" while Joseph took his nap.


She is really good at sorting the letters.
 

 Rachel and I took some pictures together.  They remind me of the little photo booths in the mall.


I have really enjoyed decorating the library for Christmas.  I spend a lot of time in the library.  So it was exciting to be surrounded by things I love.  The books and the doll on top of the bookcases are from my childhood.  I got the doll, dubbed the "Christmas Doll" by my sisters, from Santa.  Rebecca and Melinda got similar dolls on the same morning.


This nativity was made my my great aunt.  I think it is absolutely beautiful.


I grew up with this tapestry.  I never knew how to hang it without damaging it.  This year I was inspired to hang it on a curtain rod with curtain rings.  We cut lengths of ribbon.  Doug put grommets at the top of the ribbon hangers then hung the ribbons from nails on the top of the wall.  Hurray!


Joseph played with the computer while Rachel took her nap.  It's broken so the drool doesn't matter.

"Now my hands are supposed to be placed at asdf  jkl;."
 

"Why isn't this working?"


"Oh well.  Maybe it tastes better than it works."


Rachel entertained herself while I cooked.


Isn't she sweet?


Rachel and Joseph have both spent hours playing with our Little People nativity.


The Christmas tree, as always, has been cherished and explored.


I made these fun ornaments from scrabble tiles.  I need to finish Elizabeth's now that I have found enough letters.
 

This little norwegian ornament has been a favorite.



Look at Rachel go!
 

She's working off that "second wind" before bed.