How Lovely Are Your Branches...

I still can't believe it's already that time of year again.  Time to rummage through storage for the boxes of Christmas decorations, time to dust off the ornaments and check to make sure nothing has been broken, time to winterize the camper against freezing, time to dig out the snow shovel, time to watch Harry freeze his butt off getting those Christmassy lights up around the house, time to watch the boys sing their blessed hearts out at their concerts, time to brave the crowds at the malls shopping for that perfect gift, time to buy boatloads of flour and sugar to make those yummy treats, time to spend TIME with family and friends - my favourite time of all.  I wouldn't change this time of year for anything!

The couple past Tuesdays was time to spend with friends making Christmas crafts. 

This little house was my craft.

Cute reindeer, eh?  This was was Reneé's. 

I love how he peeks out between the branches.

This delicate snowman was fun to make too.  Debby mastered the steps

to make this guy look as sweet as can be.

Tara brought all the supplies for us to make this handsom fella.

The picture just doesn't do it justice - he's a perfect accompaniment

to the rest of our holiday decor.

Gamers

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You know when, all of a sudden, it's so quiet in your house that you just have to investigate?  So it was the other day when I was working in my office/scrap room...

I gingerly walked to the kids playroom and instantly saw my oldest sitting on a stool, concentrating on the game at hand.  But where was the little (and MUCH noisier) one?  Ah, just follow the other controller cord and ye shall find...

Good thing Grandpa (my dad) makes such sturdy furniture!

Thanks for letting me share about my silly boy  :)

Advent Calendar

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Talk about 12th Hour projects!  I've finally finished the boys' advent calendar. 

I saw this idea on a few different websites and decided to adopt it  :)  I just happened to have some mini muffin tins in my cupboard that I NEVER use.  What a great use for those magnet sheets too!

I love the papers (My Minds Eye & Imaginisce) I found at a Black Friday sale and finally used some of the assorted numbers and Christmas embellishments that have been collecting dust in my scrap supplies.

Now I just have to fill the wee cups with goodies for my boys so they're ready for tomorrow morning...

The count is on!

To Cut, or Not to Cut...

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Mackenzie (3 & half) has been asking for a haircut for sometime now so I dusted off the clippers and set to work.  He's still super-cute, but I now miss the softness of his longer hair...

Date Nite

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I had a date on Wednesday night. 

6 of us thirty- & forty-something married mommies got together for a yummy dinner then over to the theatre for some yummy Edward/Jacob time.

Is it wrong to think of young Taylor Lautner as a hottie?  (I think he's around 19...)  Well, if it's wrong, then I don't wanna be right!  LOL

It was a great night.  We had a lot of laughs and enjoyed a VERY entertaining movie.  Should keep us all going until #3 of the Twilight saga...  Ok, so I may just be purchasing this one just for me!  *tee hee

Next Best Thing to a Maid?

.....

A couple of weeks ago Harry installed our dishwasher.  C'mon, it's only taken us 4.5 years to make the decision to once again join those without dishpan hands!

After much deliberation and cupboard content re-placement, we now have a lovely addition to our small kitchen. 

I must admit, (although I miss my valuable cupboard space) it is nice to see counter space without dirty dishes scowling at me anymore!

Scrappin' Retreat!

Our annual scrapbooking retreat at Camp Hope (Hope, BC) was this past weekend.  Reneé (below - front left) did yet another amazing job organizing this much anticipated event!

Door prizes (I won 2), Loonie Draw (I won $20), Secret Santa (I got utterly spoiled!), games (too much fun!), meals (soooo yummy and no cooking or cleaning!), and all the other things that happened (what happens in Hope, stays in Hope)...  Looking forward to next year already!

Debby (Visser) taught a couple classes this year.  I love my Christmas cards so much I may just keep them for myself!  :) 

Tara was able to join us this year!  This was her first ever scrapbooking/craft event and she loved it!  As you can see she even got some crocheting in  :)

A special thank you to Suzann, my Secret Santa, for all the fabulous treats!  Jo, have you eaten that paper yet????  LOL!!!!