Our Homemade Christmas

I'm so excited to share the homemade gifts that we gave and received this Christmas, but first I thought I would show you how I spent my two week blogging holiday.

(please forgive the watermarking and other editing differences, I got photoshop for Christmas and am playing around! Anyone have a favorite watermarking system?)

Also..... lots of pictures in this post... beware! (in a good way!)

so... since I was home in the summer three neices have been added to my family... 4 month twins and another 10 weeks. Let's just say I got to snuggle LOTS of babies... and loved it!

 

The "boys" in my family got to go skiing for a day.

We put together a few puzzles at my in-laws... I even got my husband to join in (a first!)

 Fun times with cousins...

and an attempt to get a family photo...

 

A huge snowstorm hit the mid west two days before we arrived... and while our Hong Kong blood is not used to the cold, we are loving the snow!

 

Every sledding afternoon must be followed by some hot chocolate!

We played lots of cards and games...

 

Even while snuggling babies

 Yummy food! Did you see my fondue post?

 And MORE cousins! My boys are so fortunate... I grew up with 0 first cousins... that's right! NONE! I love seeing the boys with their cousins!

 a family picture in the snow!

 

my wonderful firstborn... like his hat? I made it! see HERE

we lit the candles (yes, real candles!) on my parents tree...

 

and snuggled more new babies...

Another family tradition is the making of pretzel houses. We grew up in a log home, so my mom started this years ago instead of gingerbread. We made these on New Year's Eve while toasting with sparkling grape juice. Doesn't my husband look thrilled?

 

The next day the kids got to decorate them.

 finished!

 

and finally... a final picture with babies... and my amazing mom! (who made all the red pjs in these photos!)

Now for the homemade gifts!

my boys made plates for their cousins and Jack made mugs for his teachers. I tried the sharpie method... no luck, so I broke down and bought these makers for the project.

 

I also used the markers to make a mug for a dear friend.

 

I gave a couple of knit projects... 

a cowl for my sister... (here modeled by my brother!)

 a little hat for my niece. I think she loves it!

 

I posted before Christmas about these ornaments that my boys made for all the relatives.

 

there were a ton of crafty gifts exchanged. here are a few others that I didn't make, but that were homemade at our Christmas. My brother made this amazing cribbage board for my parents out of a real antler!

 My boys received homemade chalk..

 

my mom received a jar of "365 Reasons Why We Love You" from my brothers family.

 My sister in law made bath salts (can't wait to give those a try!)

 

The same sister in law made heat/ice packs... I've used these with rice for heat, but never for ice! I'm excited to put this in the freezer for all the bumps my boys get.

A friend made these shirts with bleach in a spray bottle. (Think of all the possibilities!)

And we also received these rock picture holders (the rocks are crayon painted by kids)

Did you give or reiceve handmade gifts? What was your favorite? I would love to hear your homemade gift ideas.

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