Ugly Sweater Party and Neighbhorhood Ladies Christmas Cookie Exchange

December is such a fun but very busy month! This past weekend was no exception! We sadly had to turn down a few invites because we already had plans.

Saturday I baked 90 cookies for my annual ladies neighborhood Christmas cookie exchange. I started this last year and thankfully have found people to host both years. Which is nice since it's easier for Collin to watch our kids at our house while I go and the ladies enjoy having a kid free afternoon. The cookie exchange was Sunday between church services. Saturday evening we went to my friend, Lauren's, house for an ugly sweater Christmas party. I took one of Collin's old sweaters and added a reindeer face using some felt. It was perfect.

Last night Jackson slept in his room all night and slept from 8pm-7am! What a blessing! Gracie still woke up twice but it was nice to have one less kid awake and to have our room to ourselves for a little while.

We hope you're enjoying the Christmas season. I'll add some pictures from a few crafts the kids have done.

Ladies at our annual cookie exchange party

We added a sock exchange this year as well

Hand Sewn Baby Shoes

Recently, I have come to the conclusion that I really like sewing. I don't get to sew that often but when I have a little time, I try and make something. I'm so glad we live in the day of Pinterest and the Internet. I get so many ideas online. I'm teaching myself to sew and it takes time. The things I make are not perfect, by any means, but I'm learning.

My most recent project is these cute baby shoes for Jackson. I made them out of a sheet of felt.

In typical fashion, I didn't measure anything. I just estimated about 3 inches in length for the sole of the shoe. Then I cut some top parts and cut to size. I pined these shoes together and I prefer to not use pins. However, for this project it was necessary. I also hand sewed them but since they are small it didn't take very long. I'm thinking about adding a little elastic to help keep them on his feet. Hopefully they will keep his toes warm this winter. I think they turned out so cute!

I made the tan shoes while Jackson was napping. I started on the red ones but haven't finished. I hope to finish them tonight. I'm going to add some green to the top. 

Family Pictures from November 2015

We went to Target's portrait studio this year for our annual family pictures. I would have loved to have done these pictures outside but the weather was pretty unpredictable in November and with a newborn, we wanted to get them done somewhere inside. 

Jackson is 2.5 months old, Caden 6 years old, and Grace 22 months old. During the family pictures and of Jackson alone, he slept. The manager asked if they could borrow him to help train some new photographers since he was so easy. He woke up during those pictures and we got a few with his eyes open. Since these pictures were taken he's been giving lots of big open mouth smiles and has the sweetest laugh! I love these kids!