Christmas Vacation: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through this house 

every creature was stirring...

Santa Clause came to town and delivered pajamas, and then once the young ones were finally in bed the adults assembled and finished last minute presents for a Christmas morning presentation.

Everyone got to sit on Santa's lap. Even hubby took a turn.

The doll's tea set turned out cute. We were excited to see the girls' faces Christmas morning.

Christmas Vacation: Crafts and Fun

 The two peas arrived in sunny California and jumped right into the Christmas fun!

They made treats, wrapped gifts, and went caroling to neighbors. The wife sewed dresses and pajamas with her siblings.

Making mint chocolate truffles.

They turned out pretty well...

Yummy and decorative dinners

Out caroling Christmas Eve Night

 Sewing pretty dresses...

Playing games....

Reading A Christmas Carol

Double Take...

This ad came in the mail a couple of weeks ago. We don't drink Red Bull, so the hubby sent it off to school to give it to a thirsty fellow student. What caught us off guard was the little note that came with it. With a little laugh, all we could think in response was, "Beg to differ...."

The Final Pictures

After much tweaking and coloring and blending, the final family photo is here! Along with several fun versions.

The Photo we started with...

After combining three photos, correcting skin tone and lighting, etc., we get this beautiful family portrait! Yay!

Have fun this season, and enjoy the company of family and friends. They are the best people, and the best presents for Christmas.

Christmas Crafts

For the Young Women Activity this week, we all made Christmas Advent Calendars. This idea is a mix of chain advent calendars and the ABC Advent Calendar in the December issue of The Friend. If you go to lds.org you can access a current issue of the magazine and this Advent idea. There's one word and scripture for each day leading up to Christmas. You tear off the day, read the scripture, and eat the candy. Yum!

 

We cut out strips of construction paper, glued the ABC's of Christmas and the accompanying scriptures to one side, and taped a piece of chocolate candy on the other. We then stapled or taped the ends of the strips together making rings, and then interlocked these to make a chain.

Fun, beneficial, and yummy!

 

Photoshop Woes

Photoshop can be tricky... especially when the two peas are learning by the seat of their pants.

The wife managed to put together three photos, to try and get a family pic with all of the family. After a couple of hours of frustration, she finally managed to make the layers, save the layers, and merge the layers for a final pic. Then she realized she didn't actually save the individual layers. She'll have to make them again if she wants to do individual touch ups. Ugh! At least she knows how to do them now, right?

Here's the latest creation, (click on the photo to enlarge it):

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

The two peas came home from Thanksgiving break and delved into the Christmas decorations. Ah, the memories!

 They brought out their "Charlie Brown" tree and all of its ornaments; the garland over the fireplace; the garland for the stairway. Festive!

All they need now is mint hot chocolate... and no homework... and maybe some snow...

The stairway garland. We added homemade angels this year.

The fireplace garland.

The "Charlie Brown" tree. It just doesn't seem right getting another one. It's so cute. Good memories.

The centerpiece tree. It's tiny. It's cute. The wife decorated it as a child each Christmas.

We want to go sledding. We miss the snow.

Merry Christmas, everyone! Until Next time!