Kara's gift {etched pan and casserole carrier}

Today we got to celebrate my brother's upcoming wedding to Kara with an awesome shower thrown by my aunts.  Since I left my camera on the table next to something else I was supposed to bring, pictures of the actual shower will have to wait until my cousin posts a few.  But I couldn't wait to show off Kara's gift.

My go-to wedding shower gift is a set of Pyrex pans.  I don't care if most brides don't have them on their registry, because they should.  I use my Pyrex pan several times each week and love that it has a lid making it easy to transport.  I love to etch the pans with the couple's last name (see a more detailed post on that here).  I etched her pans on the side with "hoerr" and a flower and then did cute little flags on the bottom.

But then I went all Pinterest crazy.  One night while I was making birthday party lists in my head, lying in bed, I had the urge to check Pinterest for something else to add to Kara's gift.  And I found this (and this) tutorial for a casserole dish cover. Can you say perfect!  It was a little intimidating as I'd never sewn with insulation material or the belting.  But it turned out adorable, if I don't say so myself.  It folds up on itself and then insulation material keeps your dish warm.

I made an oven mitt to go along and I added spatulas and towels that she registered for to complete the gift.  Wasn't that fabric a perfect match to her towels.  Swoon.   

Long live the pot luck!

all wrapped up

Christmas #2

Ok, last post about Christmas, promise.  And this is a megapost.

It finally felt like Christmas! On Friday, the kids and I headed to Peoria during naptime (which proved not helpful since neither took a nap on the way :)   We arrived to this beautiful new version of a Christmas tree.  My dad loves birch trees, so this huge birch branch fits them perfectly. 

Friday afternoon and evening, we just hung out with Uncle Philip, Kara, and G&G.  William also arrived after he got off work.  Owen got to open one present before going to bed!  Thank you Uncle Philip for my cool t-ball set!

 

 

 

Saturday was a super fun day of just hanging out with everyone.  It felt so weird to not have my sister, Jenna there.  (We missed you!!)

love this face (and her outfit!)

checking out the xmas cards

smiling at Uncle Casey

reading his new "Owen" book with Kara

Our family are huge game people, and so is Kara's.  So she fits right in.  Her and Philip dominated in Rummikub.

don't mess with this sassy lady

My brother got my parent's record player working and we got to listen to my mom's record!  That's right, back in the day my mom recorded an album with 3 other ladies.  My grandpa even played his violin on the album, the violin that I now own.  And my dad did the graphics on the cover.  This was one of the first times my mom and dad hung out before they were married. :)

  

Owen had fun hanging out with Casey while he played the guitar.

And I might embarrass my dad with this short one, but this is so classic "dad." He breaks into song quite regularly and it was fun to see the 3 guys jamming out together.

helping with the food prep

hanging out with (honorary) Aunt Kara

Then it was time for our annual fondue feast.  We've done fondue for as long as I can remember.  We have pots of oil and cook beef, chicken, pork, and shrimp by candlelight.  It's getting a little tougher to enjoy the meal with the crazy kiddos, but it was still really fun and yummy!

Then after dinner, the kiddos got to open their presents quickly before Ellie was off to bed.

umm, pretty sure that's Ellie's buddy

that's a nice look mister

coloring with his new Color Wonder markers

more cars!

cool truck from Uncle Casey

After Owen and Ellie opened gifts, it was time for our other family traditions. My dad always reads us the Christmas story from the Bible.  Then, he hands out the latest chapter in his book "The Things I Wish My Father Had Told Me."  And queue the Kleenex.  I hope you all get a chance to read this book when he publishes it someday.  I might share one short little excerpt with you later with you later this week!  Then we go around the circle and share something that was big for us this past year and something we're anticipating for the upcoming year.  Ellison was definitely my highlight of 2012 and we're looking forward to just figuring out more of what God has for us here, at William's job, and maybe trying for number 3 at some point this year?  :)

Then it was time for adult presents.  Of course, my mom went overboard and spoils us rotten as usual and we needed another van to take all our loot home.

Sunday, we went to church which is always a blast and then that evening (after William left for home), my grandma and grandpa came over for dinner.  Owen has been pretty attached to my grandpa and he took him from room to room showing him around and wanted to sit with him at dinner.

 

he wanted him to do this over and over

Thanks mom and dad for an amazing Christmas and for loving our kiddos so well.  We are so lucky to have you as parents.  And welcome to the first family Christmas Kara! :)

Christmas #1 recap

I bet you guys are over Christmas, right?  Well, sorry I've got 2 more posts for you.  haha.  This was the first year our family didn't get to celebrate together ON Christmas.  So our immediate family had a nice, quiet little Christmas together.  It was so fun now that Owen really "gets" it.  He was singing happy birthday to Jesus all day and was so excited to open his presents!  The night before we put out some of his bigger gifts and his tricycle.   

Ellie got up (very) early so we hung out with the cat for a bit.

When Owen woke up he made his way right to his tricycle.  He has seen it in the basement a few months ago (thanks Craigslist), but luckily, I think he forgot about it.  Even with the seat lowered, his feet don’t quite reach the pedals, but he still loved it! Ellie “opened” her first little present which was super soft monkey we have named Mimi.  Maybe this will be her “lovey” toy?

Of course, the first present he picked was the largest!

Inside was a ton of instruments, just like the ones he loves to play at his music class.  I ordered them from Musician's Friend and they were very reasonable in price and great quality. 

Even Ellie loved the jingle bells and egg shakers!

Next up was some duplo sets from MeMaw and PaPaw which he LOVED!

The morning went by with lots more great presents and then a yummy cinnamon roll breakfast.

Please excuse the awful house mess in this video of Owen trying out his new tricycle. We just relaxed until late afternoon and then headed to my Aunt Toni and Uncle Tim’s house for a Christmas meal with the Hoerr family.  This used to be a 50+ people gathering so it still feels strange that we all fit easily in 1 or 2 rooms. :)   Ellie brought her new pink car to play with.  I’m in love with this car!

Owen has taken a strong liking to my grandpa which is the sweetest thing ever.  His middle name, James, is after my Grandpa. 

The fun announcement of the evening was my uncle Nate proposed to his girlfriend, Suzanne with this beautiful little number tucked into the pocket of her North Face jacket.  We’re excited to add 2 step-cousins into the mix this summer.

Our kiddos were the youngest ones there, so we tried our best to entertain them while watching out for Ellie tearing apart the house.

Here’s my sweet little girl, sans her headgear for the day. :)

She loves to give big, soppy kisses!

And that was our Christmas!  Although it didn’t feel complete until the next weekend, which I’ll tell you about next. :)