Ready for Christmas!

 We're ready for Christmas ~ the boys are excited and counting down the days!!

We've been busy baking and planning and celebrating the season.

We've made cookies and fudge and hung mistletoe ~

and we're especially loving the extra time with dad!

I finally got around to clearing off my crafting table, so I've been doing

way too much sewing instead of the other things I should be doing! 

I managed to get a dust cover done ~ my machine is an oldie

and never came with one, so I've always wanted to make one

but just never got around to it.  I used some old fabric,

making four side-panels and a top, added a tassel-pull 

and a bottom ruffle.  Wasn't sure how it would turn out,

but it works and I think it's really cute!

Also finally got around to finishing my Hague-required adoption courses ~
nothing like waiting until the last minute.
Loved this course, such great information, sure wish I had this
before my boys came along, it really should be required for all parents!

Elliot has been keeping us entertained with Christmas carols on the keyboard

and in true Elliot fashion, added a "tips" jar to make a little extra cash:)

Thanks for all the beautiful holiday cards sent our way ~

it's such a treat to open our mailbox to the smiling faces of family & friends.

We didn't send any out this year and most folks don't even know we moved,

(though hubby sends them to clients each year, so I put something together for him, but not a personal family one)

so we haven't gotten as many this year, hopefully ones sent

to our old address will eventually make their way to us.

This was the first year that Elliot questioned us about Santa,

he decided to set up a video camera to see for himself!:)

(I told him that mommy & daddy put the presents under the tree, but he wanted to see for himself:)

And of course our thoughts and prayers

are with the families and community

of Newtown, Connecticut.

 “Christmas is most truly Christmas
when we celebrate it by giving the light of love
to those who need it most.”
~ Ruth Carter Stapleton