Christmas Ornaments

 Each year I make all of the kids personalized ornaments. This year I was unwell and did not have a chance to accomplish this tradition. Although it is sad, Zoe made ornaments for everyone. She spent so much time on them and they turned out wonderfully.
Shawna got a felt onesie with pink on one side and blue on the other. For Stephen she made a yarn beard with little pieces of dry food glued into it. She came up with it on her own and it is seriously so hilarious!
She also made Liam a wooden robot and Lydia a felt and glitter crown (not pictured).

 Grandpa Sam got a snowman. Grandma Sam got a lovely beaded bracelet. Aunt Laura got a bow for her hair. Aunt Buzz got some handmade earrings. Uncle Richard got an felt ornament in the shape of a gallon of milk, white on one side, chocolate on the other.

 I got a Santa hat with a little description about how I was like Santa. She said that it seems impossible that he can visit every house in one night and fly around the world. Then it went on to say that I did impossible things everyday: taking care of 4 kids, keeping the house clean and feeding everyone. It was the sweetest card EVER! Especially because I was feeling the opposite of what she described. What an angel!

Yarn mustache for Dad, who also got a nice card.

Christmas plates

Each year the siblings make each other gifts. Lydia chose, this year, to make these customized plates for each of the siblings and for the cousins we had for Christmas. I made one for her so she wouldn't be left out.
I looked up several tutorials online and we re-did them several times. We read that you could do it with Sharpie then cook it and it would become permenant. It didn't work. We finally ended up getting a paint pen and it worked a little better, though they aren't for using everyday and are probably better for hand washing.
I was amazed by the "You aAre Special Today" plate that she made for Samuelsons. She did it completely free hand and by herself. It turned out really great!