Gingerbread Pueblo

We started out trying to build a classic house:



But it fell, so we ended up with a nice, flat, pueblo:


(Chess's Cookie Monster shirt happened to fit perfectly with the evening.  She snacked and nibbled a lot of cookies, candy, and icing.)


Proud of our creation!

W.W.

W.W.

Craft Blog

I just updated the craft blog.  Check it out to see some of the things I've been making lately.  They include: a fleece hat for my newest niece, an outfit for my littlest cousin, adorable dolls for all my nieces and nephews for Christmas, and a Christmas tree shirt for Chess.

Craftaliciousgals.blogspot.com

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Chess, putting the star up.




Decorating and un-decorating the tree is favorite activity.


Doing whatever they can to reach as many ornaments as possible.


Chess puts toys in the tree, too.  Here, she has stuffed in two packs of diapers.


All dressed-up for church.








Our annual town tree-lighting was rainy and cold this year, but we stuck it out anyway.


Lera was all bundled up.




The train is always a hit.





I am so excited for Christmas this year!  I have been talking to the girls about Jesus being born and why we celebrate Christmas.  I bought the Fisher Price nativity to play with and Chess will make Mary ride the donkey and put Jesus in the stable.  It's very cute.  She also knows that Santa will come.  When I ask her what she wants for Christmas, she says, "presents."  That's easy!  But her favorite thing may be eating a gingerbread man cookie every day as we count down to Christmas.  I got the idea from this post (at the very bottom).  More Christmas posts to come!

Thanksgiving

We had a very relaxed, very fun Thanksgiving at Nan-Naw's house this year.  The only pictures I took are of the kids playing outside with their cousins.  It was a beautiful day, and the kids always have fun playing in Nan-Naw and Paw-Paw's back yard.  I truly have so much to be thankful for.

Chess

Lera

Fall Leaves

Wordless Wednesday

Baby Raven

I have a new little niece, Raven Mint Saxton.  She was born on November 12 and weighed 5 lbs 12 oz.  Andrea is a natural at being a mom and is adapting well to no sleep, as Raven has decided to sleep all day and be wide awake and unhappy all night. :)

Mom and baby


Saxton Family


Go ahead and laugh at this last picture if you want, but I was not about to let a cold get in the way of me holding my newest niece!

By the way, I do not know how doctors can stand to wear those masks for long periods of time.  I was gasping for oxygen after wearing it a few minutes!

Darby Update

Our fundraisers are all over now.  The total of donations received and money raised through the Dollars for Darby fundraisers is currently $17,693.  I am amazed.  That is a number I didn't think we would be able to reach.  So many people have given of their time, money, prayers, and more.  I have grown and learned so much from watching the people around me being selfless and giving.  Thank you to everyone and especially the awesome women I have been working with behind the scenes.  You are all an inspiration to me.

Now, to update you on Darby's status.  Her chemotherapy treatments are all done, but unfortunately, some of her test results came back still showing some leukemia in her system.  The doctors are not sure what their plan of action will be.  Read Lindsey's full explanation here.  Please continue to keep Darby and her family in your prayers.  They are not finished with this battle yet.

You can still donate, if you wish, at dollarsfordarby.blogspot.com.

Here are a few pictures from our events:


The team, counting cash for Darby.


The Farnsworths, after learning how much money we raised at the yard sale.


Melony and I, behind the counter at Rita's.


Darby and her mom, enjoying some ice cream.

Wordless Wednesday

Halloween

My precious little 80's rockers are ready to go.


Even cuter from the back.


Arriving at the church trunk-or-treat.


Me with the girls and the bags I made them.


Always on the move.


Getting candy from our friend, Melissa.


With Daddy.


Favorite candy: suckers.  Why do kids like suckers so much?  I guess it's so the moms can eat all the chocolate.


The next day we headed to the square to do some trick-or-treating at businesses.


Lera's first sucker.


She would not release her grip on that thing until it was gone.


Chess had to have one, too, of course.


We're so glad Mimi could come with us!