Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Cookie Party!

Stone invited a few friends over today to bake and frost cookies.  It was a blast for the kids and the moms!  Stone says his favorite things about making cookies is; "Um, making cookies with cookie cutters and my friends."

Jake rolling the dough

Stone and MAC rolling the dough... MAC is a pro at cut-out cookies!

Freedom... not to sure what to think of the cookie madness! 

Joe trying not to smile but he has a little one!

Stone is on a roll making cookies!  He and MAC were the last cookie makers standing!

Tyna and her sweet boys, Joe and Jakers!

Time to Frsot! 

J.J. with MAC and Annie... Annie loved to munch on the cookies... How many did she actually eat??

Charity with Courage and Freedom... Charity would win the best decorating award... she is quite talented with limited resources!

Stone had to show Mitzi of to his friends.  Joe and Jake wanted to take her home! 

Look, Mom it is Me!

Stone has always loved drawing and anything art related.  Recently, he has started drawing things that we can make out after we ask him what it is.  As we were driving home from the zoo today, Stone said, "Look Mommy, it is me."  I was so impressed with his drawing... I thought it was great so I had to preserve it quickly with my iphone!      

A little while later he said, "Look Mommy, it is you!"  This one was bigger I guess.  I love that he is starting to draw more and really enjoys it!  

Freezing Temps, Donuts & Santa

Stone and I headed to the zoo today to see Santa and enjoy some free donuts and cocoa.  Since it was about 12 degrees outside; we skipped the feeding of the animals and headed straight to the canopy where Santa would end up.  We got to enjoy free cocoa and donuts while awaiting his arrival.    

Stone sitting in the 'Big Guys' chair before he arrived... He was so excited to eat donuts and see Santa today!

Relaxing and enjoying the snacks!

Santa has arrived... on a golf cart of all things! 

Stone was so excited to sit on his lap... he went right up there and sat down.  He even carried on a conversation with him!  I was impressed.

A fun picture of the three of us.

When we left the canopy Stone asked me to take his picture as he sat on the rabbit... I am not sure why he would want to sit on metal when it is so cold out but he did. 

Baby, it cold outside! 

We had so much fun and it was nice to get out even though it was so cold!  Maybe next year we can walk with Santa as he delivers the gifts to the animals.  

Beauty of Friendship on our Tree!

Last Thursday, I co-hosted an ornament exchange with Jenny; though I feel like she did most of the work.   It was a so much fun to catch up and fellowship with such a great group of women. We all experienced Japan and it was so nice to know that God had given us that common bond.  God blessed my life so richly through my time in Japan and He is still blesses me by giving the opportunity to celebrate the season with such a wonderful group of women.  

These are the ornaments that were made and I love how they represent each lady so perfectly!

Cheryl Cox

Kelly Barneche

Arianne Gillham

Ann White

Charity Chan

Holly Reeves

Angi Lovejoy

Jenny Ranum

Kelly Osborne

 I love how Kelly O. gave us one for us to recall all the blessings of 2008- this party will for sure be on my list.    

North Pole City

We headed to North Pole City today for a little day out!  Freedom, Courage and Charity decided to join us for the fun.  It was a great way to spend a free morning and was fairly cheap itself.  

Soon after we arrived we got to go hear Santa tell a story about the Meaning of Christmas.  He was a wonderful story teller and he told a wonderful story.  After the story Stone actually went up to talk to him... we forwent the pictures since they were so pricey!

When we first got there and asked about the train we were told it was broken... well, it just so happened to start working again as soon as the boys saw it.  So we paid our $1.00 and the boys hopped on the train.  

When asked what his favorite thing at North Pole City was; Stone said, "I liked riding the train with Freedom the best".

Before we left I helped Stone choose one onrament for this year... and since he is all into being a cowboy with his boots, hat and stick pony we decided a Cowboy Santa was just perfect! 

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Keeping Busy Crafting!

I have been able to be a little creative and crafty lately making gifts for new babies! Lots of our good friends had babies at the end of the summer and into the fall.  

I made month in review books for a two of the babies... 

One of our best friends in Japan had a little girl, Ayano, and this is her book!

Aaron and Izumi welcomed baby Celeste in October and this is her little book... I really liked how this one turned out! 

I made these little blankets for Courage, Ella, Ayano and Celeste.  Someone made one for Stone when he was little and he loved it! 

These are some burp rags I added ribbon to for little Celeste.

And my latest project was making this nursing cover for Izumi and Celeste; I hope it helps make nursing easier for Izumi.