The Baker Bunch

St. Lucia Day

My cute girlfriend Kami does Christmas around the world for her kids every year, and gave me all her stuff to copy, so I could start doing it for my family as well. The Swedish tradition, is that the oldest girl in the family dresses up as St Lucia, and delivers cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate to family members while they are in bed on the morning of St. Lucia day.

We tried it out this year, and Sophie just ate it up! She loved it, and we all liked the service :)

These are the times to remember, cause they will not last forever...

Cute Neighbors

My cute neighbor had a Christmas party for the girls on the street only. She made all the little girls matching aprons that they got to wear while they served us, and then keep after. Sophie LOVED it, and really felt cool being able to be there with girls only!

New Moon Premire!!!

So, I am not totally obsessively into the whole Twilight thing. But, I do admit that I liked the books while I read them. I have read them all once, with the exception of Twilight, which I read twice.

My cute friend Wendi (hand on Edward's leg - above) got tickets to the premier, and I got to go. We had a way fun night, and I do have to admit... I liked this movie way better than Twilight.

Posing with the cast

I am all about Jake. Hie is stronger, and warmer and not a stalker. He wins.

Migrating birds

So, I looked out my window in mid November (yes, I know this post is in the wrong order) and saw all these birds flying from yard to yard. The pictures don't even do justice to the scene, but I thought I would post anyway.

It was like a sea of birds on every yard. It felt like a strange eerie movie or something.

Birthday Lunch for ME!

So, on top of my surprise party, Christine planned a birthday lunch for me.
I feel so very loved! I hope everyone is not sick of my birthday!

Happy 35th B-day to me!

Should I admit that I am 35? Yes, I think so. I feel good about it, and had a great birthday that I will always remember. Wayne sent me out with my girlfriend DL, and he and Kristen planned a surprise birthday party for me.

I did have a little bit of a clue that something was going on, but didn't know for sure. It was fun to walk in and see all my cute friends faces :)

The kids were super excited that it was a surprise.

I feel so loved! Thanks everybody!

Con's church talk

Conrad gave a talk in church about how our family gives service to others. If I ever find it, I will post the words with the pics, but he ended with this top picture, and him saying,
"Service makes me feel a-o-k!"

Sinter Klaas Day American Style (2nd time around)

Sinter Klaas visited last year for the first time. So, we thought we would do it again this year. We started doing a 12 days of Christmas thing with the kids this year, and of course, Holland is on the list. Again, we had my dad over to tell the stories told to him by his father who grew up in Holland. The kids loved it, and loved trying on the shoes!

Yia yia brought sprinkles, bread and butter over to have for dessert.
Con thought it was the best thing ever!

My dad started doing this on his mission in Holland,
and I remember doing it from time to time as a kid.

Before dinner with Yia yia

My dad telling the story to Soph. Notice she is wearing the shoes?

My first time hosting Thanksgiving dinner!

If course, all month I had the table in the formal dining room set up with Thanksgiving decor.

I made all the linens for the kids table. I thought it turned out cute.

Sophie really wanted to be a pilgrim this year for Thanksgiving. I almost told her, "no," when she asked me to make her a costume, but she is only young once, and I had fun doing it. She looked so cute, and had fun wearing it. She even packed a pilgrim baby around with her for the day. Con had fun dressed as an Indian, but that is more of an every-day occurrence for him. Notice, he wore his horse to dinner ?

A the last minute, out nice friends the Houston's were able to come to dinner. We had fun getting to know them. They are so well-traveled, and full of stories and adventures. They were great! We enjoyed getting to know them better.

Evia enjoying Thanksgiving dinner.

Jack-o-lanterns 2009

The older Sophie gets, the more she likes digging in it!

I think he did the whole thing himself!

Halloween night

Evia stopped in Halloween night. It was so fun to see her!

Grilfriend Halloween Party

I needed something to occupy my time last fall, and decided to throw a Girls only Halloween party. After losing the baby, I needed something to do to take my mind off things. I also wanted to say thank you to many the girlfriends who helped me through it. So, what better way than throwing them a party!

I was Kate Gooselin (in case you couldn't tell.) I think Kate Lee here, would be Jon. I could not find a wig anywhere, so I got this one, turned it upside down, and gave myself a haircut. Maybe I should have been a beautician.

Everyone had to bring food, and it was super fabulous!

Everything was so spooky, and all the girls went all-out! Love you girls!

I made all the napkins, and planned the table setting.

A couple neighbors helped me make the ballerina skeletons. Aren't they just SO CUTE!?!
I wish the picture was better. They even have painted toenails!

Halloween food ya'll!!!

So, my cute friend and I traded every week for the month of October, and we brought each other Halloween themed meals. These are a few of the things I made. I forgot to take pics of all hers, but they were darling! The kids LOVED it, and I hope she will do it again with me next year!