::christmas 2018::

I've been interested in learning to bake this last year, which has lead to some interesting messes.  

I made a yule log for our family Christmas.  I rolled it the long way and by the time I realized I couldn't undo it.  He was more of a twig than a log, but he was still super fun.  The hedgehog cookies where a blast and tasted amazing.  

Emma's stocking

Lily's stocking 

Quinn's

Mine

Josh's

Max

This kids each get an ornament in their stockings every year.  Emma got a purple hippo this year to represent her favorite stuffed animal from childhood, Hippy.  

We open stockings and then eat breakfast before we do the rest of our gifts.  

That also gives time for Grammy and Papaw to come join us for the gifts.  

Poppy was not pleased with being put in a stocking.  

We was serious about this Nerf gun.  

My favorite gift!  My very own rain barrel.  

I found this vintage makeup case.  It was even in its original box.  It doesn't even look like it was ever used.  It had the original owners name and address printed in perfect cursive.  

Quinn makes a great Chewbacca

Emma got a kitchenaid that I hope lasts her a lifetime.  I was her age when I got mine.  

Lily and Poppy had a little snooze.  

I made a nutella tree to take to dinner.  Google it, super easy and fun.  

Josh is in love with her new flannel from Deluth Trading Company.  

The Rakes (Rachel and Jake) have the best party room in their new house.  It was the perfect place for family Christmas.  

The bookends.  

Quinny got a fish tank that he is in love with.  

Josh redid axes for his brothers and had Lincoln quotes put on them.  

I had a great excuse to use my new vintage punch bowl.  

Ryan supported pinkies out.  

As did us girls.  

Top row: Jake and Rachel.  Josh and I.  Ryan and Jamie (Josh's brothers)

Second row:  Lily and Emma.  Grammy and Papaw.  Max, Caleb (Ryan and Jamie's son) and Quinn.  

The Schaefer brothers with their old sweaters that Sheila made into pillows.  I don't think that could be any cuter.  

::a dull tree::

I try really hard to make Sundays not just a catch up on house work day but a fun day for the kids.  I have to confess that in the past year Quinn and his toddler like fits and short fuses has challenge me greatly to find something that the older kids love but that he can still survive through.  This last Sunday I wanted to make getting a tree a priority.  The older kids where 100% on board and the weather was wonderful (50's for December is a miracle) so we packed up lots of snack and crossed our fingers that Q would survive the days events.  For our first time we went to a self cut tree farm.  There is a very large and well run place near us called Dull Tree Farm. 

The place was a total mad house!  The great weather had the whole world out and about, but the level of organization was so high.  Any line we waited in was constantly moving forward.  I was very impressed with the place. 

The kids had a total blast.  It was dog days on the farm and the Newfoundland club was out with dogs pulling carts with trees loaded up.  We originally thought we would buy a precut tree, but they had saws you could borrow so we headed out with our cart to cut down our own tree.  This is a first for our family.  Q fell in love with every tree we saw and would hug it and say he wasn't leaving till we got that tree.  Then he would walk three trees further and hug that tree till I talked him into walking three trees further.  

We finally settled on the fattest tree that we thought might fit in our house.  Q named him Quinn Joshua Schaefer, since we name our trees every year.  This guy is by far the fattest tree we have ever had.  I love him!  I managed to cut down the tree with the "help" of the boys, and no one lost a finger.  The boys pulled the cart to the line and while I waited the kids played at the various slides and climbing areas.  They had such a wonderful time. 

I found the cutest handmade reindeer picture that I fell so in love with that I had to buy it.  

By the time we where walking out to the car Q was totally done but the middles where so good and fun to spend the day with.  Next year we will make sure that we wait for Josh to be able to go with us. 

::christmas 2014::

We drug the crew plus cousin Caleb out to Christmas at the zoo.  

It was in celebration of Caleb's adoption day, or Gotcha Day as we call it.  

Cookie decorating was over iced by one and all.  

Quinny had to tell Unkle Jake and Daddy all about it.  

Then off to pet sharks while Josh had to hold Q back from jumping in.  

We made Grinch fruit kabobs to take to Josh's parents. 

This was my first stocking in at least ten years.  

Of course I picked it all out, so I loved it.  

See that pH meter?  I am going to use the tar out of that.  

Miss Emma got some pretty good stuff.

This phone case was a big hit.  

Then some flowered Doc Martens and a vintage coach bag. 

She has the coolest eclectic taste. 

  

Max had to endour some over smashing. 

He is so cute to watch open presents.  

He loves everything.  

His favorite presents where a used DS, helicopter, and NERF guns. 

We always do Christmas morning at our house then off the Josh's parents for the afternoon.  

 

Q got a sword that he demands be in his waist band at all times.  

Lily is is love with these crazy Shopkins.  She got a Kindle Fire from us and it attached to it.  

From Santa each kid got some books, a Lego set, a game, and something they wanted.  

Then they each get a gift from Josh/me and from each sibling.  

This is a total of 8 gifts at home.  

Right before we left our house Q took a Lego and made him swim in the banana bread.  We saved Lego Gandolf and fed the rest to the dogs. 

Emma got a Jammy Pack (fanny pack with speakers) and her life was filled. 

She still had to hug all the shapies I gave the girls.