Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas! Santa was very good to us this year, bringing us lots of toys, tools, and treats! I didn't take any pictures of the Christmas we had with Brett's family, and I'm totally bummed about it. I wasn't feeling too great that day, so there were other things on my brain. I'm hoping to get some better pictures of the things I made too.

Mommy made us horses!

Sophia asked Santa for a car.
I wish this one would work for the car she asks for in another 12 years.

Claire got a doctor kit.

The girls are giving each other shots and saying "you are so brave!"

Keyboard for Sophia.

Relaxing to a Christmas cartoon with their new kitty and puppy.

Grandma made Alana a kitty!

I made horse for Joseph and Hannah.

Joseph ran around so fast, that I couldn't get a good picture of him. He was a galloping blur!

Grandma made Claire an elephant.

Grandma and Grandpa gave Claire and Sophia a dress up chest.

I made all of the girls monogrammed shirts.

Trying out the princess dress up clothes.

Happy Birthday, Sophia

We celebrated Sophia's 4th birthday with the Suppinger side of the family today. Sophia requested a giraffe cake and was very happy with what I created. We had a good time with family!

Sophia loved the giraffe that Grandma made.

Most recent quilt

Just finished an anniversary quilt for the brother of a friend of a friend. Yeah, confusing, but it makes sense to me.

I was referred by my wonderful friend, Ariel, to create this quilt for a friend of her's. Her brother wanted to make a quilt for his wife for their first anniversary, using the fabric from the centerpieces from their wedding reception. I recreated the monogram, filigree pattern, names and dates that were used on a table runner at the reception too.

I think the whole quilt turned out wonderfully. I learn a little bit more every time I make a quilt, and I learned a lot with this one. Hopefully each quilt gets a little easier and looks better than the last.

Hoping they enjoy this quilt for Christmas!

First Wedding Anniversary quilt.
Black edge and entire back made from centerpiece fabric used at the couple's wedding reception.
Monogrammed "R" applique and blanket stitched by hand.
Filigree, lines, names, and date hand embroidered.

Have a laugh

Jingle Rails, Santa, and a birthday surprise

Last Tuesday, we packed up all the kiddos and had a day of family fun.

We took everyone to see the Jingle Rails exhibit and Eiteljorg Museum in downtown Indy. It was AMAZING! I took the girls to see if last year, but this year was even better, with more trains and bridges and lights. Oh so fun! And top it off with the fact that we got in at half price admission for community Tuesdays. Score! There was a great area for kids too, so the girls got to play games, ride pretend horses, dress up in clothes, pretend in a general store, and ride in a stagecoach.

After the museum, we went over to Keystone and visited with Santa. Have to say, he was the best looking Santa I've ever seen (hello, it was the Fashion Mall outside of Saks Fifth Avenue), but he had NO personality. The girls liked him though, and he gave them little Santa hats.

Afterward, we met up with Brett's parents and ate dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. YUM! They even brought Sophia a little ice cream sundae for her birthday. We had a great day, and ended with kiddos singing Jingle Bells on the drive home and then passing out in bed.

The Circle in downtown Indianapolis

"Choo choo!"

Lucas Oil Stadium

Inside Lucas Oil Stadium

Giddy up!

Sundae surprise for Sophia's 4th birthday!

Dancing lights in Sheridan

Claire took a really long name today, so anticipating much jumping around in her bed until late at night, I packed up all the kiddos and went for a drive to look at Christmas lights. Every time I drove home from Lafayette last winter, I would always get to just outside of Sheridan on 47 and notice flashing Christmas lights. They weren't consistent, so I knew they must have been programmed to music. Since I was always exhausted while driving home, I never took the time to discover what the flashing lights were. Well, the girls and I went exploring tonight, and we found a two-story house in the middle of no where decked out in thousands of Christmas lights that were programmed to blink to the music of a local radio station. The girls were floored. Claire kept saying the lights were "dancing." There was even a big fir tree out front with a face on it that sang to "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." We will definitely be back here to watch the lights again.

And if you want to find some more Christmas lights, look on this website:
http://sharpsvillelights.com/Other-Displays.php

The inaugural post-bath picture

Picture catch up

Alana liked the sound of the tortilla chip bag.

First cereal! I like how everyone is showing Alana how to open her mouth.

Ah, teenage blackmail...

"Can I have some of that mac n cheese?"

My big high chair!