Homemade Gifts of Past years

I'm looking forward to another year of homemade gifts! Mine have partially been made, although not completed. Of course I'll share with you in January! But here are some things I have put together in the past. Last year I made Homemade Vanilla, Blueberry Preserves and a Fabric tote. For a run-down on how-to's, click here for my post from last year.Handmade coasters, soup mix, cornbread mix & granola bars. Find even more of my past gifts, including granola, notecards and other past gifts we've received here: 2009 Gifts, 2008 Gifts, Other received gifts.

It's a Girl!!!

Having family photos made at 20 weeks pregnant was not the most pleasant experience. It took me ages to figure out what I was going to wear. BUT...on the upside, this photo was taken on the day that marked my 20th week of pregnancy. AND on the date of my 9 year anniversary! I will post more later, but wanted to share this fun moment. A big thanks to my sister-in-law, Renee, for filling the box full of balloons!!! (photo taken by tec petaja).

12 Months of Jewell!

Wow. My baby is 13 months, and gearing up to be a big sister! I had fun with the 12 months of stickers. But can I do it again with baby #4? I don't know if I have it in me!!! What was probably the best thing about the stickers is that it forced me to document a baby who has very few photos otherwise!!! What fun we had making faces at each other as I took the pictures. Although the past year was a blur, I remember every one of these days. Enjoy some smiling baby photos! 4 Months: Found those fingers!5 Months: Rolling all around, playing with her feet and her hands, staring at her fingers, and laughing out loud! 6 Months: Drooling, drooling, drooling! Sitting Up7 Months: Army Crawl, Everything in her mouth, mad when toys get taken away and wiggling, wiggling, wiggling! 8 Months: Everywhere! Crawling, pulling up, becoming acquainted with the first 3 stair steps, obsessed with anything crinkly, shiny or off-limits, squirming, blabbering, slobbering & putting everything in her mouth. 9 Months: Moving non-stop! Crawling, Cruising, Pulling Up, Loves to try to eat paper, has accepted that whole "teething thing" like a champ, loves to just watch and laugh at her brother & sister, & eats cheerios like they're going out of style. She hasn't conquered our stairs yet (which KB climbed at 8 months). Has a shiny tooth!10 Months: Saying Bye bye, happy, mama, dada, bible, and hi. She is nodding, shaking her head, standing, crawling up stairs, and has 4 teeth coming in. Has taken a few steps11 Months: Completely walking...I mean running...all over the place!12 Months: Loves books, puzzles, now also says "uh oh" "all done" and "no." Loves gibberish and mimicks noises. Eats steel cut oats with applesauce for breakfast.

Parade of Bible Characters

A few weeks ago, our kids participated in our church's "Parade of Bible Characters." The kids had a blast dressing up and sharing their clues. Katie Belle's costume idea came from Martha. Can you guess who they were?

Katie Belle's Clues (written by my dad)

The Philistines are coming, King Saul is afraid,
He wants God to help him But mistakes Saul has made.
Since Yahweh has left him, Saul goes to a witch
She calls forth Samuel, Who prophesies a switch
To a righteous new King, and Saul's sons will die
In the battle tomorrow, And she did not lie.
So sadly Saul left her, He wouldn't even eat
She was right about tomorrow, Israel would be beat.
WHO AM I?

Ethan's Clues (written by me)

Jesse's my pop & 7 brothers have I. I left my sheep and arrived to hear a war cry.
You think I'm too young, but didn't you hear? I killed a lion and even a bear.
"We are the Champions" no more he will sing. Because I killed him with only a sling. WHO AM I?

2 of My Favorite Things

#1: Clementines. These are beautifully in season right now. I have to cut my kids off at 4 at a sitting. The other favorite thing: The little bags they come in. For years, this type of bag ended up in the trash! Then, I read how they can be used for scrubbing dishes. BRILLIANT! They work wonderfully, and then you just toss after you use! Do you know this trick? Or am I just late to the party????

Jewell and Me

Do you see similarities?

20 Weeks - It's a Girl!!!

We're shocked & excited!!! I was certain it was a boy. Things will be pretty pink & princessy around here, but tons of sweetness to go around!