Happy 1st Birthday Kasper!

Happy Birthday to my dear, sweet little Kasper. I love every single moment with you. You are such a bundle of energy, full of life, fearless and so much fun. You are like a firecracker bursting in the sky - blowing kisses, climbing the sofa, pointing at everything - especially the stars, airplanes and moon, shaking your head "no" at EVERYTHING, squealing when AnaSofia takes a toy from you without sharing and eating like a madman. You are a wonder my little boy, I do so love being around you!
Even though Kasper was REALLY sick today, we managed to have a little party for him. I made him a crown like I had made for AnaSofia on her 2nd birthday, his has airplanes on it - he is Far's little wingman! I also found an old radioflyer like Heather and I had as kids at an antiques shop and Soren helped me fix it up. AnaSofia made him heart shaped crayons and he also got some special books.


AnaSofia and I made the alligator cake for him using cupcakes from the Sugar Free Toddler book and then covering them with lots of frosting, marshmallows and candy, er... well, I tried!

He loved it! Look at those glassy eyes! Poor fella!

We also had a bonfire outside and roasted marshmallows to celebrate.



It was a really special day for us all. Still cannot believe how quickly this year has passed. We are all excited for the many changes and growth 2010 will bring!

Christmas morning...

The tree had a bounty of gifts underneath for all ten of us.

Santa putting some finishing touches on gifts he made (my Dad did the chairs and the "bunny hoppers" for each family).

Thomas and AnaSofia looking down on Christmas morning at the tree.

My Dad helped make the dollhouse for AnaSofia and I made her and Hannah each a doll from a pattern on Martha Stewart (black apple doll).

I also found a doll crib at an antiques shop for $4 and painted it for Hannah and made linens for it. She really loved it - yay!!!

I made Thomas an imagination playmat and wrapped it with some dinosaurs.

AnaSofia got a guitar so she could rock out with my Dad.

She promptly began singing us songs a la Phoebe from friends. Kind of hilarious.

Lots of fun and love on this Christmas morning. So glad we could be together!

Taking the sleigh to Grandma's House!

We arrived in NY today. I am so excited to share all my handmade gifts with my family - we hope they will love them! It is so great to be back on the farm with my sister and her family here too.





Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!

The Countdown!

Such fantastic weather here these past few weeks, warm and snowy... Everyone is playing outside or working inside on Christmas projects. I have so many ideas of things to do and am trying to balance trying to find the time and also enjoy the days that pass too quickly by. AnaSofia is crafting for everyone too, which is really fun to see.
Here is a wreath she made out of sweater scraps I was using and some ribbon.

We grew birdhouse gourds and she painted them while I did wine glasses.

And we are taking lots of time to enjoy our special little spot...



Play with our favorite toys that are all dressed up for Christmas...

And spending some cozy time in bed drawing and imagining!

It has been a full few weeks! Can't believe it is just a few weeks until the end of the year and Kasper's first birthday. It all goes much too fast.

It's Beginning...

To look a lot like Christmas! We came back from Thanksgiving in full blown crafting and decorating mode. I am doing all handmade gifts this year and we are also trying to do little traditions around the house to make it all special.
The advent is hung and full of gifts from FarMor and FarFar.

Gingerbread houses are made.


We went outside hunting for a tree and AnaSofia made me a "happy mommy day!" garden.

We brought in the little tree found on our property and cut a few feet off the bottom, a few feet off the top, then some more off the bottom to make its sad little middle fit inside the house...
We made a popcorn garland because that is what Islwyn did, but our organic popcorn was too fluffy to string so AnaSofia and I just sat and ate it all.

Kasper strung the lights. Well, he ate them which made me realize the tree might be in danger this year so now it just has lights around the trunk.

When it was all dressed up we decided it looked pretty lovely after all!

On The Road Again...

Me and the two littles made three heading to NY for a special Thanksgiving...
Sweet little hands passing cereal to even littler hands to make the time in the car pass by...

Kasper's joy at being out of the car and getting lots of love from Nana and Boppa.

Down to business. Making Christmas cookies.

And ice cream...

Watching Boppa at the sawmill...

And painting the birdhouse gourds...

Enjoying family visits from New York, Arkansas and Georgia...


And home to silliness once again...

So very much to be thankful for this year! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!