25 Photos of Christmas: Day 24 & 25

Sorry that it has taken me so long to get this up.  Working on a satellite internet link, which equates to being super slow and not a lot of posting from me.

Anways, the day before Christmas we ventured to the kid's favorite pizza place for some pizza and fun.  Here is Maben sharpening his eyes with a shooting game.  Side note: we were actually told by an ophthalmologist to have Maben play some first person shooting games to help strengthen his eyes because he is having a little problem with getting both eyes to focus on the same object.  Who knew video games could be good for your eyes? 

Christmas Day:  View from flight 2, somewhere over Alabama.  Final destination for the day, Vermont.

That wraps up my 25 photos of Christmas.  I have to admit, it was a little difficult to remember to take a photo every single day for 25 days.  Makes me want to try a photo 365.  Not sure if that is going to happen or not.  We will see.  Now that this has completed, I will be bringing back Favorite Photo Tuesdays.

Merry Christmas

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas! 

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 21, 22 & 23

Whew...been busy busy!  I have checked out from technology the last couple days.  Don't worry, that doesn't mean I wasn't taking photos! 

Day 21:  Visit to Santa
Maben loved Santa, Colton did not.

Day 22: Present are wrapped

Day 23: Opening Presents (We celebrated Christmas early)

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 20

I love wreathes at Christmas.  I have mixed feelings about whether or not I like them in other seasons.  So, when I saw this 10-12 foot Christmas wreath hanging above the entrance to a grocery store, I was smitten.  I would love one in a size that would fit my door.  I might have to work on that for next year.

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 19

Sorry I forgot to post this yesterday. 

One of the things I think of when it comes to Christmas is bells.  The Salvation Army has their bell ringers, Santa's Sleigh has bells, the song Jingle Bells...the list goes on and on.  So, today I am showing you a bell that I received from my mom.

I wish I knew how to do the texture that is on this bell.  It's so pretty.  Any ideas?

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 18

One of my favorite things about Christmas was all the porcelain figurines that my mother would pull out.  Almost all of them musical.  They all fascinated me.  I am glad that I have some to pull out this Christmas to remember her by.

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 17

This is coming up a day late, but I was dealing with a sick kiddo yesterday.  In the midst of all the sickness, I stole away to Toys R Us for one last shopping trip for the kids.  No Christmas season seems complete without a trip to Toys R Us.

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 16

Christmas Parties!  I have attended a lot this week, but my favorite was the one I attended tonight for my husband's work, probably because I got to get all dressed up and feel like a human being among adults.  I also love the great group of people he works with.  It was a fun night and thanks to my friend Angey for taking this pic of me and watching the kiddos.  I owe you!

Dammit Doll

Here is a great last minute Christmas gift idea for any sports fans out there.  It took me less than 30 minutes to make and that included making my own pattern for the doll.

I attribute the Dammit Doll to my grandmother.  I am not sure if she found it or made it first, but she is who I got this idea from and now I am sharing it with you.  So, if you are panicked in the middle of the season that I call, "The Christmas Crunch," (the two weeks prior to Christmas) feel free to whip up a few of these for any of those sports fans in your life.  I have a few of these made for various friends this year.

The poem attached reads:

When you want to climb the wall,
And stand right up and shout,
Here's a little Dammit doll
You cannot do without.

Just grasp it firmly by the legs,
And find a place to slam it.
And as you whack the stuffing out
Yell Dammit, Dammit, Dammit!

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25 Photos of Christmas: Day 15

I was presented this cute gift from Maben at school today.  Too cute!

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 14

Popping this in a little late, but you definitely can't have Christmas without Poinsettias.  This is a picture of a lovely one that magically appeared on my doorstep.  Thank you to however left it there.

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 13

Maben had his Christmas program tonight.  He was so cute and this year (unlike last year) he actually did all the motions, sang the songs and looked like really enjoyed himself up there. 

After the show, there was a photo shoot set up with a local photographer.  I would have loved to partake in a family photo, but the kids were up past their bedtime at this point and there was a line.  So I sat my boys in a chair near the photo area and snapped a few photos. 

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 12

Baking Gingerbread Cookies.  YUM!

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 11

It seems wrong to be encouraged to light Frosty on fire.

Found at my local grocery store, HEB.

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 10

Maben making ornaments for Christmas gifts.  We both had a ton of fun!

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 9

The closest to snowmen we usually get here in Southeast Texas.

Timing Is Almost Everything

It also helps to have a little bit of a stalkerish tendency when dealing with wildlife photography.  Check out the awesome capture I got today while driving back into my neighborhood.

Heading home, I see this beautiful bird swoop over the top of my car and then pull up and land in the top of a pine tree about 30 feet tall.  I pulled the car over, hopped out and started shooting.  Then I pulled my car around for a better angle.  Pulled my car forward a little.  I must have gotten too close because he flew off...and I got an awesome shot. 

Timing, my stalking this awesome Red Tailed Hawk (I was corrected*), some serious luck and my developing skill is what I attribute to getting this.

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 8

A very pretty bow on a box at my bunco gift exchange tonight.

Origami Paper Boxes

I have always loved origami.  I can't even begin to tell you how many origami calendars I have had in the past.  So, when it came to needing to box up a few small gifts for friends, I turned to an origami box.  Not only is it a unique way to box up a gift, but definitely a money saving idea too!

I pinned the instructions on how to do this on my Pinterest board.  I ♥ Pinterest.  If you want to see what I am pinning, come check me out.

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 7

I was so excited when I saw, The Polar Express come on TV.  I love this story and loved the movie.  I am so glad that both of my boys were drawn into it.  By the end of the movie, we were all curled up together on the couch.

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 6

It wouldn't be Christmas without Christmas cards.  This is the giant menacing stack that is sitting on my counter waiting for me to label, stamp and send out. 

I hope everyone gets them before Christmas...

I'm terrible about mailing things out on time, really terrible.

25 Photos of Christmas: Day 5

When I think Christmas, I think cold weather.  Hats, mittens, scarves and rosy cheeks.  Well, until today, it's been mostly shorts weather.  I am really starting to get into the spirit now.  The air is crisp and my kids look so adorable in their winter hats.  Bring on winter, bring on Christmas!

Upcycle: Make Your Own Curly Bows

I love curly bows.  I like them more than regular bows.  I had a genius idea hit me on how I can make some interesting curly bows.  Use magazines or catalogs!

I'm sure your mailbox is like mine and completely overflowing with holiday catalogs.  I took a few brightly colored pages out of the Brookstone that came.

I then cut strips, about 1/4" wide up the edge of the magazine, stopping about an inch from the edge.

Then, curl the strips like you would ribbon.  Do it lightly, if you pull too hard the strips will rip right off.

You will be left with a whole lot of curls.  I alternated which direction I curled them.

Take the uncurled edge and roll it up.

Press the rolled end, cut the sides about 1/2 inch up and fold the sides out.

Then tape it to your package.  It took less than 5 minutes to complete one curly bow (without taking photos).  

If you are looking for really vibrant, colorful pages for your upcycled curly bows, dig into those toy catalogs, if your kids haven't already.

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25 Photos of Christmas: Day 4

One of my favorite things to do around Christmas is to go out and drive to see all the Christmas lights.  This is a favorite of the kids too.  Unfortunately with the rain tonight, some of the really decked out houses weren't lit up, but there was one that braved the rain.