Merry Christmas!

I know... I know...
I realize that I am a few days late, but if you know me... you know that I am totally okay with that!
We had a great holiday.  The house was calm and quiet.
In fact, the boys are off sledding in the mountains today~ which allows me time to blog, clean the chicken coop, and get some stuff done around here.

all is calm, all is bright

Christmas eve dinner was remarkable ( slow cooked roast, gravy, new potatoes, carrots, green beans, and rolls!) as we had the company of a dear friend join us.

one boy playing with camera on tripod

the other boy- doing the same.

Christmas Eve 2012

 Santa came (later than usual- one of the littles tried his best to stay awake!), and partook of the cookies and milk.... he even shared the carrots and oats left for the reindeer.
Christmas morning was....well.... the gift part was quick ~but the aftermath was worth it.  Everyone was busy playing... including me, as I learned to tune my ukulele and play a few tunes via the internet.  I don't do anything Christmas day... I make cinnamon rolls the day before, and plan a few snacks... and then we order Chinese food for dinner.  We have done this the past 4 years~ and I love it!  It gives me the opportunity to be in the moment the whole day... not thinking about what needs to be started, what should be cooking now, or what is next.  I get to just "be" and play with everyone else.  We ended the night with a Happy Birthday song and cake for Jesus~  and a game of progressive rummy with some good friends.

Birthday Cake for Jesus

The next day we took family pictures.... before the tree came down, and decorations were put away.  This is the second time we have done family photos the day after~ and you know, it works for us!  I think we have some new traditions that have sparked over the past years....

Merry Christmas 2012

Well, I sure hope your holiday was bright and beautiful~ Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Advent week 2 and 3

We are all really buzzing around here with our daily family advent activities~ each night I love to hear.. "what are we doing tonight?"


 the list from last week left off on number 8.... so lets pick it up from there.....
9.  Light Second Candle of Advent/ make popsicle stick snowflakes
       http://www.craftynest.com/2009/12/giant-craft-stick-snowflakes/
10.Shop for Child in need and deliver to TOYS for TOTS
11.Paint popsicle stick snowflakes red
12. Lego Surprise (Bible Club)
13. Polar Express and popcorn
14.  Make borax snowflakes
       http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howtos/ht/boraxsnowflake.htm
15.  Paint and Stamp wrapping paper
       http://www.artfulparent.com/2010/12/homemade-wrapping-paper.html
16.  Light Third Candle of Advent (Fire and Hot Coco)
17.  Bundle up for a holiday lights drive
18.  Write Teacher holiday letters
19.  wrap teacher gifts
20.  Charlie Brown Christmas and popcorn
21.  Visit Santa

so far the activities that I have loved the most (off this list) have been the Toys for Tots donation night ( I was surprised by how thoughtful the boys were in being very particular with their gift... it was so sweet!) and the popsicle stick snowflakes (glue everywhere! ).... but we have a few more ahead of us, and I am sure that tonight I will hear the words "what are we doing tonight?" and I will smile and say " Something fun together, of course!"

Toys for Tots donations

well, I have some things to get together for tonight's activity... so, see you soon, friends.... and remember, enjoy this time with your loved ones.  Rest and relax in the season of Peace!

clip... trim...

things are still moving along here in the House of Elves....

when I am not out and about volunteering,

or grocery shopping....

my hands are busy at the machine.

cut, sew, snip... cut, sew, snip....

oh deer....

I found a photo on PINTEREST of a deer and pine cones on a winter windowsill.... and I borrowed the idea.  So with pine cones from our yard and a male and female deer purchased from our local toy store~ I had the makings of a cute window scene.

then something started happening.....
the deer were moving.
I started wondering who was the culprit of the moving deer... and realized it was both littles.

One liked them facing this way.

Odin thinks they should be kissing

The other liked them like this.

Bjorn thinks they should be looking out the window

I am beginning to think everyone has an opinion around here!

Advent week 1

  Tis the season around here...
and we are in full swing.
kids helped dad put up lights, and the advent cups are hung.  Activities each night keep the kids on their toes,  and there is an excitement in being together.

Alongside the Advent activities we are also reading a chapter book together titled NICHOLAS st.NORTH and the Battle of the Nightmare King . We are reading a chapter or two a night, and its just perfect for two adventurous boys (ages 7 and 9).  We are all finally healthy, and the season is wet and cold.

This week's advent activities are
Dec. 1 ~ make a paper chain for your room
Dec. 2~ get tree together.
Dec. 3~ string popcorn for tree
Dec. 4~ Decorate tree.
Dec. 5~ Listen to the story of the Crippled Lamb (narrated by my dad... who passed away 7 years ago)
in all honesty- probably one of the best gifts ever.  I recorded my dad reading this book, because my children were so young... and I wanted them to be able to hear my dad, every year, read to them.  Something that I loved as a child.... a very special gift!
Dec. 6~ deliver our Santa Letters to Macys ( they donate $1 to MakeAWish for every letter to Santa)
Dec. 7~ holiday travel to Seattle.  craft of Clay snowmen.
Dec. 8~ holiday in Seattle.Craft~  Santa hand print cards for birthfamilies

paper chains

popcorn strings

I don't think Cider can get much closer... silly girl!

I am still stuck to my sewing machine or knitting needles... but 'tis the season!  and to be honest, I love every moment of it!