My next BIG project: Stockings

We have beautiful, handmade, knit stockings that James' grandmother had made for Harrison, James and I before she passed away a few years ago.  They are absolutely amazing and we cherish them because of the skill, time and love that went into them.  Unfortunately, we don't have one for Cassidy to use.  So....I decided to make 4 stockings that all coordinate with each other and that I can (maybe) add onto in the future.  After hours searching online, this is what James and I decided on doing. 

The nutcracker is one of our favorite family traditions every year. So we thought these would be perfect for our family.  And they are made out of felt- so no sewing is involved!! Now, I just have to find the time to cut, glue and decorate them.  And we've started our nutcracker collection- every year, we add one more to it! I can't wait to show them off when they are finished!

Had to share...

Woke up Sunday morning to find this Christmas poem from my mom in my email inbox:


...... T'is the week before Thanksgiving and Christmas is already here!


All your stockings are hung by the fire place with care in hopes that St. Nicholas will find you this year!


And poppa, so excited to have everyone here, even helped decorate the tree which is awesome you'll see!


So with a little help from Itunes and White Russians galore, we are certainly ready to open the door!


So send Santa your letters and wishes for food, we want all of your favorites to be yummy and good!


So reply to this e-mail and please let us know, our "stocking up" list needs to grow, grow, grow, grow!


Momma has a new apron and can't wait to use it, so send her your recipes that sure are your favorite!


Now poppa and momma are off to their bed, I bet you can't believe what you have just read!


HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL .... AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

Fall Break

Took the day off of work today to do some mommy things. Like clean the bathrooms, bake a pumpkin pie and walk the kids and dog to the park to take pictures in the fall leaves.  Here's our photo shoot (neither Max, nor Cassidy's hat were cooperating).

Exhibit B

After her bath, Cassidy is always in a very happy mood.
This is Cassidy's version of being extraordinarily happy:

This makes me nervous.....

We are having our family pictures taken tomorrow.  The first family picture we've had taken since Cassidy was born.  I was dreading it because I hate my hair right now, but I haven't had time to go get it cut and styled, so I was already not looking forward to it.  And now this...
Cassidy has decided to start crunching her nose up when she smiles and laughs now.  The result:

I swear to you that she is not screaming bloody murder, no matter what it looks like.  She really is smiling and laughing in this photo. So, now I'm not only going to have my bad hair memorialized, but Cassidy is going to be screaming about it in the family photo tomorrow.  (Assuming that she'll smile for the stranger taking the photo...)

I need a craft group....

I love crafting and wish I did so much more of it!
I love following these blogs and am addicted to tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com
Oh, how I wish I had all the time and energy in the world, just to make all these cute things!

Color

My parents have the great misfortune of living in San Diego- where they have absolutely no idea what season it is because the average temperature ranges from 74 to 79 degrees, year round.
This is what they are missing....

Don't you feel sorry for them? I know I do...I love this fall weather!

The Jean-pool

Highlights from our recent trip to San Diego:

• Cassidy meeting Great-Grandma Emma for the first time
• Having all 4 Jeans together
• Papa Ted's whiskers
• Shopping with Grandma Bonnie
• Pooh and Tigger
• Il Divo DVD
• The BIG announcement from Em and Paul
• Lunch at the Fish Market
• Driving mom's new Lexus- so fun!