Xmas project revealed

This picture of the sun rise was taken from our living room window as we had our coffee after the stockings and "Santa presents" had been explored and enjoyed. Not surprisingly, we were woken in the still-dark before 7 a.m. by a very excited six year old. This was the year for her. The year to still believe, the year to appreciate gifts, the year to listen for jingle bells, the year to have trouble sleeping, the year to be crying happy tears because the day was so wonderful. Can't beat that.

We did have a wonderful day. Several rounds of gift giving and visits with assorted relatives, spread throughout the day. No real melt-downs and lots of excitement. I'm sure I'll be sharing lots of pictures soon. But this one was caught today and I had to post it right away.

Introducing, Sammy's Pad:

This is Emma & Daddy's super-secret project. And this is Sammy (or maybe Freddy, his best friend. Emma can tell them apart, but I'm never sure). Sammy's Pad is a full-service buffet style restaurant serving peanuts, mixed squirrel food, and water. It's hard to see the details, but there are evenly spaced treads on the floor to keep Sammy and his pals from slipping, a removable roof for shelter (with tension wire on the back to keep roof-climbing squirrels from flipping it over), and a water-proof sealer that will act as a base paint later in the year, so Emma can give it a custom paint job.

Emma came up with the idea for this project, designed it, and, as you've seen in previous posts, did as much of the construction as was remotely safe. Sammy is a squirrel that lives in the trees behind Gramma & Papa's house and routinely comes up to the door looking for peanuts. Emma has been enthralled by him for years and decided he needed a more efficient food-procuring method. The gift was a hit with everyone. Especially Sammy.

The Quiet of Christmas Eve

The Christmas lights are lit.

Christmas Eve pajamas unwrapped and on.

Sugar cookies decorated.

Wonderful meal and great conversation with extended family enjoyed.

Cookies and milk waiting for Santa by the tree.

Kids are asleep (I think).

TBS is running a 24 hour marathon of A Christmas Story.

Presents are....getting wrapped.

Half a bottle of wine left in the fridge.

I love Christmas.

Have a wonderful, peaceful, chaotic, joyful day tomorrow.
Love & laughter from Meg, Jason, Emma, & George

Busy elves

Remember the super-secret project from October? Well, it took a bit of a hiatus through much of November and December. All of a sudden, oh-my-goodness-it's-less-than-a-week-'till-Christmas hit this house and all crafty projects are in full swing again. Here's another peek:

And yes, I did just notice that my darling, sweet, only six years old, precious first born is not wearing safety goggles while wielding a nail gun. Her daddy and I will be chatting about that fact before tonight's stint in the work room begins. (Though we may be on to the painting phase, it's hard for me to tell, the project keeps getting more and more elaborate). More photos after Christmas. Though I'm not sure if I'll be able to get any of the recipient actually using it......

I've had to make a last minute change to one of my crafty gifts. Think it's a bad idea to try a completely new technique and product three days before Christmas? Yeah, probably is, but I'm trying it anyway. I found this when I came into the kitchen this morning:

I'd like to think the kitchen is feeling my stress and wanted to brighten my day.

So, while Jason and Emma are busy at the workbench, I'm busy at the computer and in the kitchen. And George is busy dumping every toy box in the house into the middle of the living room. Joy.

And the pets find this time of year intriguing. A tree inside the house, toys scattered everywhere, and assorted wrapping materials hanging about. What could go wrong?

Simply Awesome

These guys remind me of a choir my brother was in long ago. But this holiday medley is a bit funnier than some:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

Thoughts on a Tuesday

Why is it when I have a holiday party to go to, my hair can't decide if it wants to be straight or curly, so instead, it does a funky helmet-head-wave thing? But if it's a day like, oh let's say today, when I'm wearing sweats and don't plan on being seen by anyone other than postal workers, my hair is just the right amount of curly and looks "awesome" (as Emma put it)?

(What punctuation would have been the right choice in those sentences? I think I have a few too many commas there.)

And speaking of Emma. She has a new boyfriend. His name is Bryson, he's really nice, and they're going to be boyfriend and girlfriend, like, forever. She's six. I have no words for this one.

Jason received a paycheck from the National Guard yesterday. I know I haven't shared our Nat'l Guard drama stories with the world here, but trust me, a paycheck? Is amazing and surprising based on our experience with the Guard thus far. I never thought I would find the Army more efficient with paperwork in any instance.

I'm going to Vegas in a couple of months to work at a trade show for Digital Scrapbook Place. We'll be sharing a booth with Adobe and Wacom. Think they'll be impressed with my mad skills on our IBM Thinkpad, circa 2004? Oh well, I'm going to Vegas, baby! That's good enough for me! (Note to self: Stop dream-surfing Dell.com and HP.com and get back to work!)

Christmas is exactly one week from today. 'Nuff said.

Shower Time

I took these photos tonight and just had to use them right away.

Journaling:
Shower time is play time for you, silly boy. (Except for those awful hair-washings!) I love listening to you sing and act out stories, enjoying the great bathroom acoustics. And the shower door is your favorite canvas. It was there I learned you could draw a face (on a snowman, no less)! You stay in there long after the water is off, just to play! And then there is the dancing you sometimes do. . . .

(Oh, and you crack yourself up, too!)

Gingerbread fun

Thank you to Grandpa Rocky for this great project! Stay Up Late Night (Friday evenings) has never been so much fun. I'm pretty surprised that the roof hasn't caved in from the sheer mass of candy on it!

These pictures will definitely be added to my Christmas album. What a great memory!

I should be folding laundry...

but instead, I'm completely wasting time:

http://www.spotthedifference.com/

Enjoy! (Wait until you get to the "mirrored" level, wow hard.)

Loving the furnace these days

Journaling: Four generations of my family have lived in this house. Four generations have stood on this heater vent in the winter, enjoying the strong blast of hot air. Four generations of little girls have watched their nightgowns billow into bell-shaped containers of heat. Four generations of boys have stomped on the noisy metal grate as their hair blew skyward.