Day 25: Unwrapped

This year we decided to do something to help remind the girls, every day, the true meaning of Christmas. I don't remember who I go this idea from, but I loved it when I heard it.

We made a manger out of popsicle sticks, and every time any of us did a kind thing for another person in our home, we added a piece of "hay" (yellow paper) to the manger.

The goal was to make it as soft as possible for Christmas Day, when we placed baby Jesus in the manger.

I've had the baby Jesus for years that came with a relief society lesson, and have just tucked it in the tree every year.

 

 Every time the girls did even a little thing, I had them write what they did, and we put it in the manger.

It was nice and soft this morning.

 

 Santa found his way to our house!!

He brought way too much and our house is over flowing!!

 

 Opening stockings.

 

 Scarlet excited for her new little necklace.

 

Ella in her new apron Grandma Bowler gave her.

 

We had a great year and so many fun things to play with and try out, we should be busy for the rest of the school break!!

Merry Christmas to everyone!!



Day 24: Christmas Eve

Our new favorite activity to do when Daddy is home at the same time the girls are home, is to go play in the sand.

 It was actually a little bit cold today!!

Our driver even put on his hood!!

 These were two very excited girls who were going to need to be properly worn out!!

Recently, Ella has formed an attachment to this doll.
She's not a dolly kind of girl.
I got this for her for her FIRST Christmas and she hasn't cared it about since.
Until about a week ago.
Now it goes every where with us.
Her name is Elli.

These little chickens played hard.

I had Brent run them around and chase them to tire them out from the start!!

I took in the beautiful view.

Now Santa has done his work, and our tree is patiently waiting to be found.

Sleeping sweet dreams with out care....

While visions of sugar plums dance in their heads.

Day 23: Sparkle

My children are so excited for Christmas, they have gone bananas.

It's like 2 large birds flew into my house, are trapped,and are now trying to escape.

 This little chicken comes in every morning after her daddy leaves at 4 am and takes over his half of the bed.

 This morning I told her it was Christmas Eve Eve, and this is the face she gave me.

Christmas Eve Eve, for those of you who don't know, is the day before Christmas Eve.

It has been a long celebrated day, filled with games and movies to pass the day so Christmas Eve can come!!

Ella thought Brent would be home this morning and was disappointed when he wasn't.

I assured her he would be home for Christmas Eve and Christmas.

She asked if he couldn't just come home right now.

I told her daddy can't just leave work, unless it was a serious emergency.

She asked what kind of emergency.

I randomly threw out, 'get hit by a car.'

She called me from the other room for this.

"Mommy take a picture and tell daddy Mini hit me in her car!!"

Nice try sweetie.

These are sparkling blue eyes that can NOT wait for Santa to come!!!

Day 21:Cookies

I usually loving craft sugar cookies in preparations for Santa to come and enjoy them.

This year we are all down with some weird bug.

It's not a regular cold.

Nor is the flu.

Just something weird.

While I was convinced it was spinal meningitis, my husband has assured me other wise.

I'll hopefully survive.

So this year Santa will hopefully forgive me and enjoy these awesome tree cookies that Ella picked out at the store!!

Day 22: Bells

My granny's favorite Christmas carol was,

'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day'

The organist in our ward chooses the music each week, and this year she graciously let me pick all the songs for December.

Overton 4th ward sang some carols this year!!

Sunday was our Christmas program and I chose our opening song as

granny's favorite.

I thought of her the whole time with a warm, full heart.

 I bought these for our first Christmas together.

I hang them instead of mistletoe.

I got these in 2003.

Angel bells.

They go on my gold tree.

I love bells and angels, and have a little collection of each!!

Day 20: Memories

Christmas morning memories of my little family.

 2010

 2011

 2012

 2012

2013

I can't wait to have many more Christmases to come!!

Day 19: Reindeer

I'm going to alter this to reinDEARS.....

Cheesy, I know. I'm sorry.

But I'd rather post about Bowler Family Christmas fun than reindeer.

 We played in the rhythm band.

 Santa must be friends with Grandpa Bowler because he swung by again to drop off a few gifts!!

 Scarlet got a new, warm hat for morning walk, and some new dinosaurs to add to her collection.

Ella got a new hat too and some play make up.

It was a fun night with good food and family.

Day 18: Giving

Day 17: Today is supposed to be Wreath...........

But instead I will post on something much more important!!!

 Happy birthday to my beautiful mother.

I don't know how I would survive with out her!!

 My and mom and me on my first birthday.

1985

You're wonderful mom.

I love you!!

Day 16: Ornaments

My favorite ornaments are the ones that have been made by loving hands.

 Scarelt made this last year with Aunt Joshlyn.

 Ella made this last year with Aunt Amy.

 These came in a kit and Ella and I put them together.

One of Brent's co workers had this made his rookie year.

I display them all proudly!!

Day 15th: Warmth

It was chilly on our walk today.

Someone was burrowed in like a tick!!

And quite happy and cozy!!

Day 14: Glitter

The tree I claim as my own is gold and glass.

The only exception is a red E made of small bells.

Scarlet has an S and I didn't want Ella to feel left out with her E not on there.

 Like a proper cat like woman, I like shiny things!!

This is my peacock, one of my favorite birds.

 Two turtle doves.

When Brent and I dated in high school, he called me his turtle dove.

For our first Christmas he brought me these home.

 I believe in blessings, not necessarily wishes.

But maybe they can be likened to one another!!

When I see 'wish' I think 'blessing'.

I do believe, with all my heart, in Joy.

Day 13: Festive

For the last 5 years I have made a Christmas quilt as the holiday season begins.

I started when Ella was just a year old and made a baby blanket for her out of material my mom had.

It was so fun and made the holidays so exciting watching it come to life, I decided I would make it a tradition!!

Last year I cut all this fabric out, but life got busy and I never completed it.

This year I saw the bag of unattached squares and knew it was time!!

 Ella was my faithful helper and sorted out all the squares!!

 It took me 3 or 4 days to have time to sew it all up.

I gave this one to Ella and graduated Scarlet up from the baby blanket to the one Ella has been using.

They were both so excited to have new Christmas blankies!!

Close up of the center.

The pine bows are sparkly and I love the cute animals.

I turn on Christmas music and listen to the hum of the sewing machine and it reminds me of when my mom used to make us Christmas jammies!!

3 quilts have been 9 block quilts and this one is a sunburst.

Next year I'll just go buy cute fabric and save myself all the cutting!!

Day 12: Vintage

Years of Christmas past.

 2004

I'll always remember this year because Granny was really excited for present that year.

She was usually reserved in her reaction to gifts.

 I think this is approximately 1990

 Approximately 1987

 Approximately 1984

 My grandpa and grandma always came over every Christmas morning to admire all our gifts.

Then we would follow them back to their house for them to give a little something.

My grandpa LOVED Christmas.

This picture is a poor scan I had to lighten.

Even though I can't see it well I remember the looks on their faces perfectly.

My brother proudly brandishing his giant candy cane and my granny's proper enthusiasm for such an impressive item!!

My grandpa's bright smile and how he vibrated with excitement.

He got sick so long ago some of my memories have faded.

But when I see this and remember how he was this time of year, I miss him dearly.

Approximately 1997

I love our busy tree in the back.

My little brother when he was still shorter than me.

That ended about 2 years later.