The Year of the Quilt

This year instead of the usual gifts that my kids exchange, they decided (on their own) to draw names. They wanted to make each other blankets. "You have to make a blanket that you know the other person would LOVE." These were the rules. At this point my heart started pounding. Guess who does the very minimal sewing around here. Five blankets? Before Christmas? Do you hate me? I reluctantly agreed. I'm glad I did. It turned out to be one of the best ideas ever. The kids immediately started brainstorming about what their sibling would like.

I was determined to teach them each a little bit about sewing during the process. I took each one on a trip the the fabric store where the could pick out the perfect material.

Cooper was very discerning during his shopping trip to a local quilt store. "I need to get Courtney either yellow and gray or turquoise and red fabric mom. Those are her favorite colors. THIS is it! She will love it." We took the material to the front to be cut. The lady asked me how much I wanted. Cooper piped right up and said, "I am sewing a blanket for my big sister, how much yards do I need?" Needles to say, the lady had a good laugh.

COURTNEY'S QUILT

Cooper pinned all of the ric-rac on the quilt and "assisted" me as I sewed it together. He wrapped it by himself. He was so proud.

GWEN'S QUILT

Bowen used a material for Gwen I already had, He picked a darling ric-rac trim to match and insisted on a very soft backing. He pinned every stitch of ric-rac on the edges. Using just over 1,000 pins. He patiently sat and helped me sew the rest.

COOPER'S QUILT

Surprisingly Jackson was the very first one done. He decided quickly on a BYU quilt for Cooper. He had just finished a semester of sewing, so obviously he was a pro. He picked a white fleece and cut out a giant Y. He pinned it on navy fleece and sewed around it. He then turned under the edges and carefully (slooowly) sewed each one.

BOWEN'S QUILT

Courtney wanted to do a Lego quilt for Bowen. We searched for weeks on the interned for Lego material, Lego sheets, Lego blanket. Nothing. She settled for Utah Jazz fleece. Bowen loves the Jazz. She sewed every bit herself.

JACKSON'S QUILT

Gwen decided her sewing skills were lacking, and to my delight ordered a Celtics Snuggie online. I swore this family would never own a Snuggie (a robe worn backwards), but Jackson was tickled with it.

The kids were beyond excited to see what each person would think of the blanket they sewed. They kept begging us to let them open them early. Finally, on Christmas Eve we gave in and let them open them. It was so wonderful. The kids were so excited and grateful, because they knew how much work went into each blanket. It was one of those gifts they will never forget.

Christmas 2010 Highlights

We had the most wonderful holiday! It has been a painful re-entry into normal life again. I absolutely loved every minute with my kids and hubby home. I tried to fill their days with as much fun and magic as I could. My time with them seems to be flying by. It was such a time of fun, happiness and peace(not the usual rush and stress) for our family. I just loved it.

Our annual Pie and Pajamas night. It is one of our favorite traditions!




Gwen's first Pie and Pajamas. As you can she, she is a banana cream gal.




The whole crew minus dad who was taking the picture.




Gingerbread houses. Usually we make houses out for graham crackers and little milk cartons, but this year I bought a kit that had five small houses, candy and frosting in it. It worked out great for each of the kids to get their own, different house.




Courtney slaving away on her "out house".




Bailee (Court's friend) working on her house.





Bowen's masterpiece.





The whole village.





Making cookie press cookies. This was so much fun.





Al the kids except Bowen (he was caroling with the scouts).






These were such a fun cookie to make. You fill the tube with dough and change out the little discs depending on the shape you like. Then decorate with sprinkles.






The twelve days of Christmas. We were so luck this year. Grandma Bowen did the 24 days of Christmas and Grandma Cluff did the 12 days of Christmas. The kids absolutely loved it and it gave them something fun to look forward to everyday in December.





One of the days grandma and grandpa Bowen sent "Service Bucks". The kids each had to decide how to use their money to serve someone else. Our kids decided to put theirs together and give it to the Bishop for a family in the ward.






Christmas piano Recital
















Christmas Eve. We spent Christmas eve with our good friends the Mogenson's. It was so much fun. We ate, played fun games, read the Christmas story and enjoyed each others company. for the game above everyone had to lift and lower a baseball holding their string tight. It took a lot of cooperation.





In this game each person had a pipe. They had to roll a golf ball from one as far as they could holding their pipes together, and then running to the end and doing it again.






Carter read the Christmas story (with Gwennie's help) while the kids put together Nativity stickers.






Someone is getting very familiar with the camera.






After the Mogensen's left the kids opened their Christmas PJ's from grandma ad grandpa Bowen and their gifts that they made for each other (more on that in a late post). It was such a fun evening.






Christmas Morning. Gwen on her first Christmas morning. She loved every minute of it.






Of course Gwen loved the wrapping the best. After five kids, I was prepared for this and only bought her a couple of little gifts.






Jackson got exactly what he was hoping for.






Bowen just unwrapped a surprise!






Cooper's love. Legos. A rip off in a box.







After all the presents were unwrapped, the kids move on to their stockings. In the toe each of them found a note to Santa with a clue to where he hid their "big" gift. Courtney found something that smelled good.






Jackson found something ringing in the tree.






Bowen found something he could ride.







Cooper found something for lounging.






Our annual Christmas morning brunch. This is one of the best things we do all year. Sadlythis is my only picture. Christmas tree cinnamon rolls before icing, were just one of the things on the menu. We had over 60 friends over for food and fun.






Christmas weekend church. All dressed up for church in their Christmas duds.




The girls.






The boys.


We hope you had a wonderful Christmas season full of tradition, love and service. We are so grateful for our Savior, his life and example. We are blessed to have the best friends and family in the world. We wish you all a wonderful new year!

Santa Baby

We headed up north last weekend for grandma and grandpa Bowen's annual "Santa Party." Always the highlight of the Christmas season! This year did not disappoint. We started the afternoon off with my mom's amazing quiche, sourdough pancakes and hot chocolate bar. Followed by the traditional Christmas crackers. My mom read the kids Jolly Old Santa Clause. THE. BEST. CHRISTMAS. BOOK. EVER. It is from my mom's childhood and is no longer in print (don't be fooled by the modernized version). The pictures are the most amazing paintings. It is how I define how Christmas should be. I found me a copy on eBay a few years back and consider it my best Christmas decoration. After the story our old friend Santa payed us a visit passing out gifts and Christmas cheer. The kids were adorable. We ended the afternoon making gingerbread houses (foam ones from Oriental Trading). Take it from me...these were the way to go! My parents gave us our annual gift of cash in another amazingly creative way, but I am sworn to secrecy until my brother Nate opens his in Alaska. Oh how we MISSED our Alaska family. Move home!!! It was fun and amazing, take my word for it. It was such a lovely day, it was totally worth the trip up. Thank you mom and dad for such a wonderful day!

Coops and Santa

Court and Santa

Jack and Santa

Bo and Santa

Gwennie and Santa(She was not one bit afraid!)

This is where you will ALWAYS find Jane and Gwen. Grandpa is THE favorite. If he picks one up, the other cries, if he puts one of them down, they cry. They adore their papa.

Grandma reading the kids Jolly Old Santa Clause. They were spellbound.

The Christmas cracker loot! The gold crowns are always found in every cracker....added bonus.

The grandkids and their gingerbread houses.

Cooper was very proud of his creation!

Grandpa telling Santa all he wants for Christmas is to retire...oh wait that already happened. :)

Thanks to the most wonderful parents a girl could ask for. You are my strength and my pillars. I am dumbfounded at my luck in the parent department. Love you!