the gang

I have sat down a few times to do a Christmas re-cap, but it's not really happening - as our vacation winds down, I have much to get done. I had high hopes of getting more done while we were here {since I have help with the kids and Lance being off} and as I sit here, I have many to-do's remaining. In the meantime, here's a pic - the whole gang - it's usually only every couple of years that we are all together, so I managed to get everyone outside for a family pic {without coats - in 20 degree weather - wind blowing}. ;) Here we are!! I hope your Christmas was lovely. Happy New Year to you!!!

gingerbread fun

I did a gingerbread house with the cousins today - it was so much fun! You know how sometimes the things that are intended to be fun with little ones can easily turn to disaster? {Or does that only happen to me?!?}. In my mind, I was thinking this could be one of those activities - 4 children six and under, sugar, frosting and only so much table space sounded like a perfect recipe for screams of 'mine', 'no', 'it's my turn', 'i wanna do that'...you get the idea. But I started with a specific plan of attack and it worked nicely - in the end, there were no fights and we were all very happy with the finished house. Success! I surprised them with the frozen pond {made with foil} and reindeer at the end - we did the same thing when we did a gingerbread house growing up with that reindeer ornament and I knew they would love it.

a first

We put the boys in the bathtub together last night for the first time. Note the sword E has directed at S {and the very eager eyes}...I hope this isn't foreshadowing.

checking off the to-do list...

bake sweets...lots of sweets - I don't think there is any chance we'll ever be able to consume all of them. By the way, these cookies really are amazing...I just need to find a way to get some chocolate into them. ;)

check!

(Here E is with Papa making Papa's favorite cookie - Rugelach - a tradition in our family.)

play with friends...


check!

wrap presents...


check!

watch the snow fall...


check!

play in the snow...


check!

relax with family...


check!

We have some busy days ahead...probably my last post before Christmas, so Merry Christmas to you! I really do hope that you are experiencing joy in this season -- so many emotions and circumstances that swirl around the holiday of Christmas can suppress faith and hope. We have friends dealing with financial stress, job loss, failing marriages, loss of loved ones, sickness...it's not easy living this life sometimes {a lot of times}. But, we can {and do!} have a hope and my desire is that you are able to cling to Him in this season and throughout 2010. Peace to you!

chicago re-cap

Our Chicago getaway was really nice. When we have gotten away in the past, I have really missed the little ones...but this time...well, not as much. How nice it was to do what we wanted, when we wanted! I am so used to planning my entire day around feedings, naps, etc. -- when I found myself, coffee in hand, shopping with no agenda, stepping into chocolate cafe's...I had to pinch myself! Our hotel was nice, the view was really beautiful....I love Chicago at Christmas -


SO, I love food. And I really love to eat it. When I travel, I look forward to restaurants sometimes more than anything else. I've mentioned one of my favorite breakfast spots before - it just so happens it is in Chicago, so we had to go. So delicious - these blackberry bliss pancakes. If I had all the money in the world, I would have these delivered to my door every day. They are that good. And I don't normally do fruit pancakes, but these....mmmm...okay. Our visit to m.henry was made even sweeter since we enjoyed our breakfast with Lance's brother, his wife and their sweet baby girl.


And for one of our nights out, we met Lance's brother & wife again and had sushi & the most delicious chocolate desserts that I have ever eaten {or seen}. And you can't go to Chicago without eating deep dish pizza, so we did that too.


Enough about the food. What made the trip even more enjoyable was that we knew our kiddos were having a great & special time with gigi & papa. They had jammy parties, went to the movies, ate popcorn, watched Tom & "Harry" and played hard. When we got home, E proudly gave us a book he made with them - a "while you were gone" book complete with pictures of all they did. We've looked at it every day since we've been home and he tells me all about it - I'm sure it will be a forever keepsake of their time here.

Well, I'm off! Am finishing up last minute orders & am looking forward to my sister & brother coming in the next week. I hope you are enjoying a restful season with your family...

on holiday

Forgive me for the lack in posts - I have sat down about a zillion times to write over the past week. Wow - where to start? First off, a HUGE thank you to all of you gifting bel kai jewelry this holiday season...you have kept me VERY busy and I am loving it!

Also - an order of business - the last day for guaranteed Christmas delivery is next Tuesday, December 15th.

And now on to the FuN stuff...

We left on Thanksgiving Day for a 5 1/2 week holiday in Indiana. I went to college in Indiana, and it is where Lance & I met and spent our first 5 years of marraige...made many great friends that we will see while we are here. My parents live here now, so we are staying with them and consequently enjoying spending time with them, the extra loving on our kiddos and the help with them, too. ;)

In our time here so far, I had a {really fun} jewelry show at my dear friend Jacqueline's home...


we decorated for the holidays...


E enjoyed some hot cocoa while the others put up holiday lights outside. I lucked out and didn't have to endure the 20 degree temperatures because I had orders to work on...again...thank you! ;)...


the rest of our time has been spent celebrating Thanksgiving with family, relaxing, playing wii, seeing friends, eating yummy food, baking - and more of that is planned! It is a very nice change of pace to relax some and spend time together as a family...Lance's schedule at home can be grueling, so it's nice to have him off for such a long time (8 weeks total - gotta love those benefits!).

S is a much happier boy these days - he is sitting up like a champ and loves interacting with toys - I knew we would see a change in him once he could do more...this one doesn't sit still e.v.e.r. and is into everything - and he's barely 6 months. I'm a little skeered about the toddler years to come...here are some recent pics of him.


Lance and I are headed to Chicago this weekend for a getaway - kind of a late celebration for our 10 year anniversary (this past summer). I am looking forward to our cute little boutique hotel, shopping, eating, being together and of course, two full nights of sleep in a row without waking up to feed a kiddo or put one back in his bed. I hope you are enjoying this season. Thanks for being here! Don't forget to comment - I kinda like 'em. ;)

How was that for the longest post ever? I have new designs to show you that some customers have helped me design recently - so look for those in the coming week.