We would like to say

for everything!

Christmas morning celebration

We have to cover the door with paper and they love to break through!
Guess he liked that!
Amy on the new balance board
Even James got a new toy
Marty hardly left that spot all day.

Sarah was happy to have even more "Full House" episodes to watch.

Christmas Eve

Donut and milk for Santa, carrots for the reindeer, and letters from all. They left a note telling the big guy to write back. He just jotted "Gotta Fly!" Must've been in a rush.....
They had a sleepover in the boys' room. Even Elvis was there!

The Christmas Cuties

Here they are, all spiffed up after 5pm Mass.

Aren't they beautiful?

And again, I ask

"What am I doing here?"

I finished the girls' jumpers today, except for the hems which will be done in the morning with better light. No (secrets) have been knitted, but that is tonight's work while Matt starts the assembly process. And, now, I'm sick. Ear aches and sinus issues. I was a holic last night and ate all kinds of things I should not have--and this is the result. No hives, but I am painfully aware that my body is not happy with my brain's lack of impulse control. I couldn't help it....I just looooove fudge-I reeeaaalllllyyyyyy looooove fudge. I will send myself an apology just as soon as I get done knitting.......

What am I doing here???

Did you like the wreathes? OK, great, but the real question is this: What am I doing on the computer at 12:30 am instead of knitting two more (secrets) and one more (secret)?
Must. Knit. Faster. See ya later, Tater!

The mitten wreaths

Shore Family
Strobel Family
Kemple Family
Flanagan Family
Henderson Family

All have been delivered with many wishes for a Merry Christmas. We had fun driving around and delivering them the last 2 days. We included pumpkin bread with some, and sugar cookies with others , and everyone liked them. I also made a standing offer: I'll knit another mitten (or more) for the families who add more little ones in the future! Fill those wreathes up!

The "O Antiphons" or, "He's almost here!"

This is the "O Antiphon" book I made to study/celebrate the last week of Advent.

The "O Antiphons" refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. They cover a special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23. The importance of "O Antiphons" is two-fold: Each one highlights a title for the Messiah: O Sepentia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel. Also, each one refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah ( O Clavis David).

If you click on the second photo you can see that after I added a piece of dark green metallic card stock to the backs of the "book", I added a paper with all the antiphons explained on the left side. In the right side we have placed blocks (painted gold with symbols drawn on) for each day of the octave. I put them all in so you could see them, but really, there are only 5 in there today. Next year, I'd like to do a better job with the pictures on the blocks. I really like how this turned out. Thanks to all the ladies over at 4Real who shared all their "O Antiphon" ideas--that's how I came up with this.