Hit and Miss

I have not been blogging for awhile.  It is time consuming but I am always happy when I've done it.  I have been experiencing problems with blogger (big surprise!) for the last few weeks, but it seems to have remedied itself so it is time to do a little catch up!  This post is called hit and miss because I plan on hitting a few things we've been up to but missing alot!  (I know.  It's heart-breaking for me too.)

We have been sewing.  The girls got American Girl Dolls for Christmas and obviously a doll is no fun if you can't change her clothes.  So here are some pj's.  The goal is to start teaching Lexi and Kendri a few of the basics in sewing.  Kendri helped me make these and even sewed the buttons on!

Shayli loves her sisters.  She cuddles right up with them (when she's in the mood, that is!)

Kyson had his first ski lesson last week.  He did awesome and the ski instructor informed Ryan that he was fearless.  As if we didn't already know that!

I have started numerous projects.  This is one of them.  We are refinishing this dresser so Kyson and Shayli can have some more space!  It's sanded and waiting to be primed.  I got distracted refinishing a different piece of furniture....a sewing table!  I inherited it from a nice man in our ward. It's rather large and 1970's looking.  Therefore it is receiving a make-over.  Because if it's not cute, it can't come in my house.  Too bad so sad.  I have high expectations for my make-over.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Along with my sewing table, I got lots of sewing accessories.  See?  But the most exciting thing is, I now have a Pfaff sewing machine and a serger!  Talk about score!  Actually, I had no idea what Pfaff was.  I was told by a seamstress that Pfaff is one of the few top of the line sewing brands.  Well la-di-da.  If nothing else, it will guilt me into learning more about sewing.  Sometimes you just need someone to nudge you along.  Or in my case, give you a bunch of expensive equipment and say "Sew!"  And sew I will. 

Colorado Cousins

We were able to go to Colorado right after Christmas this year.  It's been 2 years so it was well over- due. All of my siblings were there except for my brother Travis.  Gotta love the holidays!

 We got to see lots of people.  This is my Grandma Lu with a few of her great-grandchildren.  (I'm sure you'll recognize a few!)

Here's Gramps. I dare say he is my biggest fan.  Still.  What can I say, he has good taste!

And the twins.  (You know you want to see a picture of us together!)  Our niece Pippa joined the fun since her momma was snapping the picture.  And plus, she loves her aunties!

And here are all the cousins on the Hall side.  It's starting to look like a crew!

Shayli and Pippa love each other.  They really do.  They had lots of fun playing together and giving each other hugs.  (Shayli looks a little scary in this one, but the red-eye reduction wouldn't work.  I'm guessing because the glare is white and not red? Oh well.)  Shayli even went so far as to learn Pippa's name and would wander around the house calling "Pippa!" until she found her.  It was a sad day for Shayli when Pippa boarded the train and didn't come back. :(  All that calling for nothing.

And here's Pa, rocking the babies.  Colby (Amber's baby), couldn't really be bothered with these girls.  He liked to stay on his own!  Overall, we had a great time and got to see lots of family!

Merry Christmas!

We had a great Christmas family.  We did what we usually do....partied for days! We went up Angels Camp for Christmas Eve to have soup and act out the Christmas story.  Lexi and Kendri also put on a singing performance for everyone and sang a few Christmas songs.  They loved it!  Kyson also helped out the neighbors by placing baby Jesus in the manger of their nativity (they don't have any grandchildren and apparently it is their tradition to let a small child do the service).  And then it was homebound to wait for Santa!

Christmas morning came and we were up and at it by 7:00.  Not terribly early.  We opened our presents and then headed back to Angel's Camp for and afternoon of cousins and fun!  We loved every minute of it and was sad to say good-bye to Christmas!

This was our visit to Santa at our Ward Christmas Party.  Kyson

                                                                            Shayli

  
                                                                            Lexi

                                                                          Kendri

 Santa actually rode through our neighborhood in a fire truck this year.  The fire truck was covered in Christmas lights.  We stood in the cold for what felt like FOREVER, but we finally got to sit in the truck and talk to him.  It was pretty fun. Although, I think we saw Santa plenty this year.

                       Pa reading the nativity scene.

 

Pam's Christmas tree. It is my favorite every year.  I love the flocking. Merry Christmas!