Christmas

Christmas was lovely this year.

Our sacrament meeting (church service) was at 10:00am and was a musical program.

My favorite was "Joy to the World" sung by the choir, accompanied by two pianists and Curt on the organ, plus the congregation joining in for the last bit.

Rocked my socks.

Chills.

But before all that we did the usual Christmas morning gift unwrapping thing.

Only it wasn't normal at all...it was our baby's first Christmas.

Don't tell him, but we didn't buy him any presents...but don't despair, the grandparents had it covered.

He loved the wrapping paper  :)

I used the self timer and tripod to document the event with a family picture.

I realize now that it probably would have been better to do this while we were, you know, dressed or something...but hey, something is better than nothing.

Curt got a new toy

{it's a kindle fire}

Des got several new toys

{and yet you see what is in his hands}

...construction tools and trucks...sounds like fun to me...

Curt was in charge of video, I covered the pictures. 

 I got a new toy too.  A nifty lens for my camera.  It has a big aperture.

Des and Curt with their electronic gadgets

I made cinnamon rolls.... 

...with cream cheese frosting...

 ...they were huge.

Speaking of huge, look at my baby's peepers.

It may look like he's awesome and is placing the final piece of this tower, but he is actually knocking it over.

Des got his two front teeth, just in time for Christmas.

They're still just poking through a little bit.

And I love that my new lens lets in so much fabulous light!

...all the better to inundate you with baby pictures, since I never took any before, right? {whoa, the sarcasm is getting a little thick here}

How was your Christmas?

Merry Christmas

all pictures and card designs by Ashley Pace {ashleypacephotography.blogspot.com}

(isn't she awesome?)

a few additions...

We've been on the lookout for a nativity recently.

We fell in love with one labeled "made in West Bank" in an Ann Arbor store called 10,000 Villages.

It's simple, all the pieces are attached, and the star turns to wind a music box which plays 'O little town of Bethlehem'.

We were invited to a graham cracker house decorating party at a friends.

This was my final product:

Curt was nice enough to watch the boy while I spent the time enveloped in attaching candy, but he did throw together one real quick after I was done.

I'm guessing he was cold, for he did a beach house theme.

Christmas Decorations 2011

 

teeth, clapping, and some gibberish

Desmond's first tooth broke through his gums last Thursday {bottom, right middle}.

If I had to guess I would bet a few more on the bottom will come in rapid succession.

He's started a little bit of clapping, and loves to make us clap.

He has a really long tongue.

He speaks really varied gibberish.

Talkative little fellow.

But my favorite is when he whispers to me, usually when just waking up.

Master Bedroom: Doily Art

So back in August I got to visit my Grandparents house in Phoenix.
I admire my grandma so much, she is seriously one of the best homemakers I know.
So, she crochets doilies, and they are serious works of art.
I told her that if she ever had an extra one on hand I would love to own one someday.
She took me to a treasure drawer and told me to have my pick.
**Oh.my.goodness.love**

I was a glutton and picked four.

They make such a gorgeous statement on my wall, and they are cherished all the more because of who created them.

To make it an impactful display, I bought four poster frames from Target, painted the hardboard backing black, and centered the doilies {attached with a small dab of hot glue}.

I think it is some awesome graphic art.

I've been working on finishing out other areas of our room.
I made some more canvas drapes {like in our guest bedroom and nursery} for both windows.
I also put up a section of bamboo blind above each {again, like in the nursery}.

I also bought two wall mounted lights from the Lakeside Collection.  They were a steal and came in for under $50 for both, even with shipping.
{item # 915032015, looks like they might not be selling them anymore though, bummer}

 It's a start...but I still have a ways to go in this room.
What do you think?