Blankets

I made everyone blankets for Christmas this year.  I wanted to post pictures but knew I had to wait until after Christmas to keep my secret!

This is my favorite fabric of them all.  Sophie won't mind if I borrow it right?

Notice anything missing? Where is blankie? I haven't actually seen it for a couple days though I'm sure its around, but amazingly Olivia hasn't been asking for it.  She's happy with her new one. 

For my monkey lover - Nyah

It was hard to find just the right fabric for my boy.  Boy's fleece is mostly sports themed, which is not exactly Austin's thing.  Pirates and skulls much more to his liking.   

I don't know how my kids managed to NOT spill the beans about Kurt's blanket which I worked on during the day while Kurt was at work, but they never said a thing to him so he was completely surprised Christmas morning.  Love you hon!

Jolie's is another favorite of mine.  I love how all the colors go so well together.  



Thank goodness these were really easy to make or I would have never been able to make 6 in 3 weeks.  The kids are 12x12 inch squares, 5 squares x 5 squares big.  Kurt's is 18x18 inch squares, 5 squares by 6 squares.  I'm going to make myself one out of everyone else's leftover squares just as soon as I'm motivated to sew again. 

Christmas

Christmas Eve

After a rocky start to the day with plenty of insane excitement induced fighting and tantrums, things calmed down and we had a very relaxed, enjoyable day. 

Kurt took Austin and Nyah to finish up his shopping, so I took Olivia and Jolie for a walk around the block. 

 Setting up our car racing set - Everyone wanted to help

 Marshmallow Sophie - trying out her new snowsuit

 Later in the afternoon when their excitement threated to turn ugly again, I took Austin and Nyah out for a walk. 

 Racing cars again - Austin was helping Olivia and Jolie have a turn.  Mostly he was putting the cars back on the tracks after the girls raced them off. 

 Getting ready for our big Christmas Eve dinner - Olivia pouring water into the cups

 Driving around the city looking at Christmas lights and decorations

Milk and cookies out for Santa - Time for bed!!

Resident Elf putting in exrta hours :) 

Christmas Day

 Time to get started!

 Presents!

 Presents!

 Adorableness

 Kurt and Nyah learning how to fly

 Helicopter is already parked at the repair hangar :( 

Kurt is doing what he can :)

 Playing

 Happy as can be!

 Sophie was intrigued by Kurt's new hat while she ate. 

 Still going strong!



We are so grateful for our Lord and Savior.  For the miracle of His birth and the selflessness of His sacrifice and Atonement.  We love our family and friends, and are so grateful for you all!

Merry Christmas!

Snow & Presents

Yesterday we headed out to play in the snow.

 Jolie was so worn out she fell asleep on the couch. 

 Olivia pulled Sophie over to the Christmas tree to show her the ornaments (those still in reach anyways!)

 Kurt's sister Elaine and her fiancee Nathan were here visiting for a couple days and brought presents for the kids so they got a little taste of Christmas. 

 Playing this morning (I will be so relieved when I can take down the tree!)

Hurray! - Olivia Update

Yesterday was another follow-up eye appointment for Olivia.  She aced it! Her vision is 20/25 in both eyes, which is actually slightly *better* than her last visit (July 2010).  The doctor said her optic nerves look pink and healthy, her visual acuity is excellent, and some more good things I don't remember the exact terminology for :), but its all GOOD NEWS.  She will go back in 3 months for another check up. 

If you would like to learn all the details about the last year of Olivia's journey with NF1 you can read HERE.  As I was looking through past posts I realized I haven't ever published the WHOLE story from the first cafe au lait spot appearing when she was a wee little one month old baby - I am going to try to do this sometime soon. 

Pictures from this week

Hanging out with Dad

 Oooh, those toes look yummy!

 Austin is reading Harry Potter again - kids end up in the weirdest positions!

 Who needs toys? Jolie wants to play in the dishwasher every time its open!

 We asked Olivia and Jolie to bring some toys for Sophie - they brought a big bucketful and then entertained her by playing peek-a-boo around the back of the high chair.  I love it when the older kids play with the younger kids!

 Time for a ride!

Hanging with Friends

We went to Thanksgiving Point's Dinosaur museum (YES AGAIN!) with my cousin-in-law (Is that right?) Katie and her two adorable kids. 

We all had a great time!