Gifts Delivered

We didn’t mail Christmas cards this year, and we didn’t make neighbor and friend gifts either, but we did deliver these awesome tree ornaments to our family members. The ornaments are made using the Cutie Pie Thinlits and are just the right size for cash (our gift of choice so everyone can choose their own gift) and some chocolate hugs and kisses. As usual, we also included a practical gift for the family…an emergency roadside kit (boring!), but the hit was definitely the tree ornaments!

The Tradition Continues

We were trying to figure out how many years we’ve been gathering together the weekend before Christmas, and we can’t remember when it all started. Our children were young, and now their children are nearly grown. It doesn’t really matter though. We just know that after each gathering, we always comment on how much we enjoyed seeing everyone and being together.

Very few family members were unable to make it this year, which made for almost 80 people coming and going from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. Six babies joined the family since last December, and it was fun to see them being passed around and cuddled. It was also fun to watch the young children play together and the teenagers hang out with cousins they only see once (maybe twice) a year.

Grandma Pat decided to do something a little different for the Christmas program. She thought it would be fun (and I suppose it was for those watching!) for her and us seven siblings to lip sync and dance to a Christmas song. It brought back memories of my childhood, performing at church and community events, and I’m glad to know it’ll be another group’s turn next year! Sorry, no photo. Only a video, and I don’t know how to post videos…lucky for you!

I wasn’t feeling well the day we drove down, and I asked Sterling if he would be okay to go without me. I just didn’t know if I was up to it, but I’m so glad I went. It turned out to be a great few days relaxing and visiting with extended family!

5, 10, 15, and 20

While lots of people were out sick this week, we still recognized all of them verbally for their service at Stampin’ Up! and snapped photos with those who were at the holiday celebrations in Riverton and Kanab. I feel so honored to work with such wonderful people! 

Riverton 5 year

Riverton 10 year

Riverton 15 year

Riverton 20 year

Kanab 10 year

Kanab 15 year

 Kanab 20 year

Birthday Book Box

Since Sara would spend her special day in New York City with a friend, after her appearance on the Today Show (see Stampin’ Up!’s blog and Sara’s Instagram and Facebook), Sterling and I took her birthday gift to her early, hoping she would use it while on her trip. The gift, of course, was money and her packaging, using her favorite DSP, was a book box…Sara loves to read! Although she usually reads from a device these days, the look of a real book seemed more appropriate. I think you'll agree!

Two Birthday Boys' Packaging

We’ve had two birthdays in our family recently. Our creative Sam loves art and the color green so this was his packaging. Cover a cylinder with cardstock after stamping…may require splicing if it’s a larger size. If you want the paint to look wet, color the drips with a Fine-Tip Glue Pen.

Cooper loves all sports, but football is his favorite! To get the football, just punch out the leaf from the Festive Flower Builder Punch and trim the ends. If I’d been thinking, Cooper’s colors would have been red for the Utah Utes. Thankfully he’s a pretty forgiving boy!