Chilson Family

Today marks the last of the birthdays for the year.  Daughter #1 turns 24 today!  It is so hard to believe she is that old!  It has been wonderful for her to be home this year for her birthday! Happy 24th Birthday Daughter (aka--Ditter Do) Daddy and I love you! 

What a wonderful day it has been celebrating!  Not the gifts, but the Giver.  We have had a wonderful day spending it as a family also.  The entire family, my sister, brother-in-love, and father was over yesterday afternoon and evening.  It is always a busy and very noisy time, but very fun! Daughter #1 and Grandson came over today.  We have had so much fun playing games.  One of the favorite games that one of our nesters received for Christmas is "Bananagram"!  Four of the siblings played it for 4 1/2 hours!  Very addicting! However, six of us had started a new round of "Spot It" and we broke the dining room table!  Let's just say that a 100 year old table can only take so much!  It is a 11 1/2 foot table when extended... too small .  We had to remove the extended parts of the table and now it is 4 foot by 4 four foot table...now WAY too small !  We had to bring in a small antique "kitchen" table to help accommodate for seating.  Not really sure

They are here!  Daughter #1, Son-in-love #1, and Grandson are home!  They left Fort Bragg in the wee hours of Saturday morning and are finally home!  Not just for Christmas, but for good! It is so wonderful to have all fourteen of my offspring, their mates and babes all within a 40 mile radius! "Thank you, Lord, for the gift of family.  Thank you for the love that binds us together and the love that draws us together when we are together or apart!"

Today Daughter #7 turns eight!  It just does not seem possible my baby is growing up!  I spent the longest amount of time on bed rest with her...seven weeks!  A very long seven weeks!  Four weeks were at home and in and out of the hospital.  Finally, the last three were in the hospital.  Daughter #7 was born at 31 weeks 4 days, weighing 4 lbs. 3 oz.  She sailed through her NICU stay with no major events like the the last two babies.   Happy Birthday Daughter #7! We love you Baby Girl! 

Tonight our church has a Christmas dinner.  We have an optional ornament exchange.  I made two snowman faces out of glass balls with glitter inside and painted faces.  I tore fabric to make a scarf and made a felt hat.  Sorry, I did not get pictures. *sigh*, story of my life.  BUT...I did make gift bags and even took a picture! I made them so they can be reused and not only for Christmas. I think the presentation of the gift is just as important as the gift itself!

Yes! I have some pictures! The first are of the youngest three grands.  Granddaughter "J" Grandson "E" with Uncle #7  Youngest Grandson "C" being fed by Auntie #7 Poor Lucy, she is so totally not impressed with the Grands!   Aunties and Uncles are great!  Our youngest two are having fun.  This is really the first time they have had the chance to take care of the younger ones!  I love it! Now, crafting... Using these... ...I made this!     I saw this project on a blog and fell in love with it.  My wonderful Stampin' Up! demonstrator made one and said from start to finish it only took a little over an hour!  Oh my, she was so right and it was so fun!   I made the bird using a SU! products, Elegand Bird Bigz diecut, Big Shot, Silver Glimmer paper, Ridinghood Red ink pad, Bird Builder punch (for the leaves), Old Olive cardstock, Bakers Twine, and retired jingle bells.      I made this card for a you

One of the blogs I like to follow is The Muncks Quiver.  Their family is just a wee bit smaller than mine, but they are delightful and a blessing. The Munck ladies are hosting a give away of 10 wonderful items!  Why not check out their blog, (here) , and see what they have!  I am hoping for the half apron!