Christmas

Christmas morning is so fun as a parent. I love seeing the excitement in my children's eyes as they hurry down the stairs to see what they got. Here are just a few highlights from Christmas morning this year.




Peyton and Maryam each received a scooter from Grandma and Grandpa Moon. They coordinated well with Santa who brought the matching helmets and knee pads. Mor Mor and Oompa Loompa sent personalized towels for the twins, but somehow I failed to get a picture of them. They also sent fleece blankets for Tobin and me. Those were a fantastic gift for us, and we have used them every day since! Our house feels so cold right now, so whenever we are sitting down, we wrap up in our blankets made by Mor Mor.


This is the toy Santa brought for our family, but really just for Tobin. He has had fun helping the kids play with the helicopter and learn how to control it.

Tobin and the kids playing with the helicopter. The kids are wearing new outfits they received, and Tobin is wearing the apron he received from our brother-in-law.

We had a small but wonderful celebration this year. We hosted Christmas dinner at our home with just the four of us and Tobin's two aunts. We had a lovely day cooking and enjoying being home with the kids. Dinner was great and we thoroughly enjoyed the time we got to spend with Aunt Sally and Aunt Mary. It was really nice to have them come to our place for a quiet dinner. Well . . . as quiet as it gets with two three-year-olds and two brand new scooters.

Christmas Projects

Here are some pictures of the projects I made as Christmas presents. I had so much fun! I haven't really done any crafting for a couple of weeks, and I'm in withdrawal. I need to get a couple of baby quilts done ASAP and I've got a project to do this week for a friend who just lost a brother. (That's a story for another post.) Anyway, I'll be back in the saddle this week!

These actually weren't Christmas presents. I made throw pillows for the couch and chairs in our living room.

A wood crafting project for my sister Sarah's gift. I found the idea on one of the crafty blogs I follow online. These tured out much larger than I anticipated, and I love them. Now I really need to go visit my sister so I can see them in her house!

Bags I made as Christmas gifts for my sister and niece. This was my first time making any type of bag. They turned out much better than I anticipated. And they were so easy that I'm thinking of making some more.

These are my twins modeling their Christmas pajamas. I intended to make matching pajama pants for all of us (including Tobin and me). The day after I finished the pants for the twins, Maryam saw the picture on the front of the pattern and requested a nightgown instead. I wasn't really prepared to make a nightgown, but I decided to do what I could with the fabric I had. The next morning when she saw the nightgown she was not impressed. The picture on the pattern shows lace on the nightgown; this was what she really wanted -- something frilly and girly. (She really is my daughter!) I explained that I wasn't prepared to make that, so I had to just use what I had. She decided she could get along with what I made, and wore the nightgown all day long that day. Because of that little development, I ended up not having enough fabric to make pajama pants for Tobin and me. Let's just say, Tobin was not disappointed. In fact, I think he was relieved that he doesn't have to humor me by wearing some funky bright green PJs with penguins on them.

Going to the Snow

Ok, I know it sounds really strange, but in the Bay Area we don't get snow. So we have to "go to the snow." Well, a couple of weeks ago on Sunday night/Monday morning it snowed very close to our house. I was so disappointed that it didn't actually snow at our house! Then again, I don't really want to drive in snow with people from California. Anyway, there was snow on the hills just outside of Pittsburg and the mountain nearby. And there were some nearby cities that actually got snow in town.

As soon as I had free time Monday, the kids and I packed up to go find the snow. We drove all the way to Danville (about 30 miles) and up the windy road to Mount Diablo State Park . . . only to find that the roads were closed and we could not get to the snow that day. Peyton and Maryam were very disappointed, but we did get to visit Daddy at work instead. On Tuesday, I was determined to try again. This time, I called the state park to make sure the roads were open first. Then, we made the trek to Danville again--ok, it's really not that far for us. Tobin drives farther for work every day.

The twins and our friend's daughter that we babysit during the week and I finally made it to see snow on Tuesday. We stopped at the first big patch of snow we saw. What a great time! We had a snowball fight and hiked around the picnic area for a bit. We tried to eat our snack at the picnic table, but it was much too cold. Our poor little friend was shivering from the cold! So we packed up and headed to McDonalds for lunch.

It was a short trip, but fun nonetheless. The kids and I all really enjoyed the snow! Maybe next time (read: 7-10 years from now) we'll actually get some at our house.

I Have Lost My Mind

I knew it would happen someday, but I thought it would be much later in my life. I just can't seem to get my mind back in gear lately. I had a week off from my babysitting gig for Thanksgiving. Breaks from work always throw me out of my routine, but usually I can get back on track pretty quickly. Well, the week after Thanksgiving was out of the norm as well because I went to Las Vegas with Tobin for a work conference (his work, not mine). I had three days of relaxing with no obligations or responsibilities . . . in the middle of the week!

This week, it's as if my mind has determined that it will stay on vacation permanently. I can't remember what day it is or what appointments I have. I know I'm forgetting things that need to be done. And today I took my twins to preschool 30 minutes early, without realizing that we were early until the mom who was teaching mentioned it. Oops! I'm so embarrassed! I don't know what is wrong with me. If I didn't know better, I would think I am pregnant. But I know better. I'm definitely NOT pregnant. What, then, is my excuse?

Christmas Season

I love this season! We just decorated our house and Christmas tree tonight. I love the lights and all the nativity scenes we have. It just makes me feel so happy to look around and see Christmas all over my house.

I think I'm nearly done with Christmas shopping. I've become quite ambitious about the number of crafts I'm going to complete as gifts this year. I've got a busy month ahead to get it all done. I did manage to finish a couple of things this weekend, though. I can't post any pictures yet because I can't be certain who will check my blog. I'll have to do a big photo post after Christmas day.

For now, I need your input on one outstanding Christmas idea. What do I get or make for the women in my Primary presidency? I can't spend too much money, but I do want to show them my appreciation. They really work hard to make things run smoothly. I would appreciate any ideas you can share!

Need . . . To . . . Craft . . .

I've been pretty busy this week and haven't had time to do any crafting. I've been trying not to think about it. Then, this morning I started browsing through blogs and following links to other blogs . . . about crafting! Now I am in full withdrawal mode! I found a super cute craft that I really want to make for someone for Christmas. I'll probably need to make one for myself first so I can work out all the kinks. (And that way I get something super cute too.) I can't wait to get started! Not sure when I'll have time, but Christmas is coming quickly, so I better get to it!



Check out my inspiration here: http://shanty2chic.blogspot.com/2009/11/whitneys-christmas-joy-plaques.html

Halloween Creating - 2009

A couple of months ago I took the twins to the fabric store and let them each choose a pattern for a Halloween costume. Maryam chose Bo Peep and Peyton chose a pirate. On a separate occasion, I took them to a larger fabric store to help choose the fabric for their costumes. Please do not attempt this. I understand so much better now why my own mother used to come home with surprises for us, rather than taking us to the store to choose our own things! It's really beneficial for all, in the end. But I digress . . . After approaching the cash register, I soon understood why many (most?) people buy their children's costumes. It was really much more expensive to make them than to buy them. I told Tobin later, I will probably never make them again, since it was not cost effective.

The patterns and fabric were purchased in early September. Then they waited. And waited. It's been some time since I used my sewing machine for something other than straight lines. It's been a very long time since I attempted an article of clothing or used a pattern. Finally, at the beginning of October I decided I better get moving on this project. I started with Peyton's costume because it had fewer pieces and fewer details. I made his sash first - super easy! All straight seams! Then I made his pants. This caused some apprehension. I have vivid memories of sewing pants or shorts when I was much younger. I always sewed the crotch seam wrong and had to pick it out and re-do it. The patterns I bought this time have a new (to me, at least) way to sew the pants. It was so easy. I was not confused! The pants were done correctly the first time! Lastly, I sewed Peyton's lined, satin vest. The last bit of this project was a bit tricky, but overall it was not bad at all. Suddenly, my confidence was boosted. I do remember how to sew clothes! I can do it!

A few days later I started on Maryam's costume. Hers was much more involved, had many more pattern pieces, more articles of clothing to make, lace, ribbon . . . . I had to make a few phone calls to my mom for help and advice. Really, how is a person supposed to narrow hem an apron with curved corners? Narrow hem a curve? Well, it's not professional work and I'm not selling it, so I guess it is what it is, right? Sew a little lace over it, and it looks great! For Maryam's costume I sewed an apron, dress, hat, and pantaloons. I was so sick of that costume by the time I was done! Some parts of the process were frustrating, and I feared that the costumes would look "homemade" in the worst sense of the word. But the damage was done. The costumes were finished just the day of the ward party. There was no time for a Plan B.

The twins were so excited about those costumes! They put them on for the first time, and suddenly it was all worth it. Every frustration, every minute I worked into the wee hours of the morning for several nights was all worth it. They beamed in their brand new outfits. And I beamed. They are the cutest little Trick-or-Treaters I have ever seen! And their costumes looked fabulous (not terrible, as I had feared). I was actually proud of my accomplishments. Suddenly my tune had changed. I think I want to make their costumes every year! . . . . I'll just have to learn to use my coupons more effectively.

Halloween night the kids had a blast with their friend Sadie. The weather was better than perfect for Trick-or-Treating. It must have been in the low 70s as we walked around our friends' neighborhood. After gathering plenty of candy, we headed back to Wolf and Liz's house for an outdoor movie, which soon became two movies. We enjoyed Smore's and a fire as we watched movies and gave out candy to very few other Trick-or-Treaters.