Oh, well!

This season has been hard to keep the Christmas spirit. Between kids who don't quite understand the true meaning of Christmas and the commercialization of it all it can get a little depressing. More than once I have threatened to give away their presents to someone who will appreciate it more. However, every once in awhile I am reminded not too stress over it.

Our family has been on the receiving end this year. The kids now think that every time the doorbell rings there will be goodies or gifts on the porch. We don't know who they are from but that's ok. We are greatful just the same. Being so far away from family this season is hard but it has made it easier knowing we have such a loving circle of friends right here.

A good friend and I had a conversation on the subject of remembering what Christmas was all about. She related a story to me that I would like to share with you.

   The other day her youngest son was walking through the house singing at the top of his lungs what he thought were the words to "The First Noel" however, when she listened a little closer this was what he was saying: Oh Well, oh well, oh well, oh well.......

She and I were laughing so hard at her sons choice of words for this classic Christmas tune, but I think they are fitting words for this season. I think we all need to take a step back and look at the real meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate and say "Oh well!" To all the worldly stresses that take away from the true Spirit of Christmas.

May we all remember the reason we celebrate and give thanks for our Savior and His willingness to come to this earth so that we might return to Him again.

Merry CHRISTmas to all!

December 1st 7 mile bike ride!

It's been along time since the last post. For this outing we decided to ride our bikes to the Skate park about 3.5 miles from our house! Morgan and Derek rode their bikes and Ava and Franklin rode in the bike trailer.  There are a lot of things I think we normally would not have seen had the kids not been with us. Lots of bugs and animals out there! I took these pictures on the way home. 

This is a giant hollow log that the kids had fun jumping off of.

Sort of standing still long enough to get a picture.

Morgan

Derek

Ava

Franklin

The Crazies!

Franklin

Ava

Derek

Morgan

Dress shirt Apron tutorial!

I saw this on pinterest and decided to try and duplicate it. Here are the results! Enjoy!

I took this picture and then decided that it would work better if I turn the shirt inside out. So unbutton the shirt, turn it inside out and make sure the collar is turned up so you can don't accidentally cut it.

I snipped an inch below the arm pit and then I snipped an inch away from the bottom of the collar at the shoulder. Then I eye balled a curved cut between the two snipped sections. Then put the two front pieces right sides together so that you can cut the other side exactly the same.

When you are finishe cutting you need to take the seams on the side apart so that the back piece is no longer attached. I used a seam ripper so seams would be even.

I chose to use a bias tape in a contrasting color for the edging. I sewed about a 1/4 of an inch starting with the under arm edge.

Then I folded over and ironed the bias tap and sewed it down.

Using the back piece from the shirt I cut two 2 1/2" strips the width of the shirt for the apron ties. Make sure they are atleast 26" long. Sew each strip together with 1/4" seam. Then sew them onto the apron.
These pictures are horrible!!! Oh, well. You get the idea!

Let me know what you think!