Reindeer Root Beer

You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen,

Comet, and Cupid, and....the others are taking the day off. 

We made a whole herd of these and gave them out as Christmas gifts this year to friends and family. Zade's Grandpa even "awed" when he got his. It was a really darling to see him sip away on his reindeer on Christmas Eve. I'm unsure of who originally came up with this idea otherwise I would give credit where it is due! Whoever it was, you are the cutest. 

The Twelve Dates of Christmas


My parents gave Zade the "Twelve Dates of Christmas" this year!  As his "true love" I'll get to enjoy the dates with him! What fun! 


Zade was given twelve cards each holding one of the "dates" of Christmas. As each card was opened we *attempted* to sing along to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas. 















I think it's time for dinner and a movie! Any recommendations on films to see in theater right now? 



Grandpa's "Live-Long Day"



Don't let the number of candles fool you, 
my Grandpa is 85 today. 
Over Labor Day weekend we threw two birthday celebrations for him and he got another today. When you turn 85 you should have more than one birthday party! 


On Labor Day afternoon we banished him to the back bedroom while we decorated the house in train theme. 



The table was decorated with little train car gifts (loaded down with Grandpa's favorite type of cargo).
{Aunt Laura added red eyes to her train to give it personality and I kept poking fun that it was a monster train...for the picture I placed a little animal cracker in its grate to be devoured}

We had a brownie train car decorating contest judged by Grandpa. 

and the winner was.....

{Debbie's square wheeled train from the Island of Misfit Toys, Mom's palatial car, and Stephen's alien usurped car}




 Stephen! 



We formed a line behind Grandpa as he followed a string "railway" around the house leading him to presents and cards decorated as train cars.

Then we shared a most scrumptious lunch, cheered on as Grandpa opened more gifts, and donned our bandanas to see this film.

He reported that this was one of the best birthdays he's ever had. We're happy to have shared it with you Grandpa!

Anniversary Tradition

-----{the start}-----

Three years ago on August 2nd, 2008 Zade and I took
 a lot of pictures together.....

 so began the tradition. 
Every anniversary we seek to have a photo shoot taken together in honor of another 365 days enjoyed in the  presence of God and each other.

-----{one}-----
At our one year wedding anniversary in 2009 we returned to our wedding site and
reminisced, 
climbed trees, 
and took pictures.
This is what first sparked the idea of taking a photo shoot every anniversary. 

-----{two}-----

Our next photo shoot was taken while visiting my sister Sarah and brother-in-law Steve in Tennessee. We took their one year pictures (their anniversary is in August as well) and they took our two! We must have looked hilarious....
lugging all these random props out into a field. 
We had a globe, books, tea cups, and even a coat rack! 

Soon we will be time for our three year pictures and I'm thinking up ideas for a theme!
What are some creative photo shoot ideas you've seen?

Tea with the Queen (Bee!)

My little sister Deborah's name means "bee" andwe like to come up with clever ways of reminding our De-"bee" of this. She's been cheered on at games with a basketball-dunking bee sign, gifted with a bee-transformed pool ring floatie, and sewn a bee costume one year for Halloween. So, it is fitting that mini beehive cupcakes were baked for her graduation tea party (we've got a theme to keep up with!) All the dainty tea food was homemade by my mom and sisters and was amazingly delicious. 

There was: 

Toasted Coconut Gooey Goodies

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Cucumber Mint Coolers

Cream Cheese Cherry Tarts

Aunt Alice's Dill Chicken Salad on Croissants

Mary Poppin Fruit Kabobs

and more......

Which is your favorite prop?

The Photo Booth was also a hit! Thank you to all who gave suggestions on props. My sister Melody and I donned mustaches and accents and became photographers extraordinaire! It's amazing what a mustache can add to one's sense of humor - recommended for all. I played a slow speaking English chap and Melody an opinionated Frenchman, though her accent humorously slid unconsciously into a mish-mash of Spanish, Italian, English, and French....she must have had an interesting heritage. 

Below are some of my favorites of family:

One thing's for sure, we love our Debbie

I made the "Hip Hip Hooray Debbie!" fabric banner with tips from this papernstitch post. Debbie kept the "Debbie" portion of the banner to hang in her dorm room at her new college and my Alma mater: Purdue!