Christmas Dress 2014

This year we swapped trees with different family members, and ended up with a six-footer, which has plenty of room for all of our ornaments above Miss V's reach. She likes the decorations, especially the lights and child-friendly nativity sets. A few presents already under our tree are just tall enough for her to back into them and use as benches.

We played dress-up today, since wearing a dress that gets in the way while climbing isn't what she wanted to wear after church on Sunday. She looks so big in all of the puffy layers, and then I see her in the onesie and ruffle-butt tights, and she appears to be so tiny again. Grandma found such an adorable outfit. It's a little more difficult taking posed pictures now than when she was just a few months old and couldn't even roll away from where I plopped her, but I love watching her explore, running around outside and through the house.

Each phase of her life comes with new experiences and opportunities. Right now I'm enjoying her adorable displays of mimicry as we fold our arms to pray, wave good-bye, or tickle toes. She loves picking up a book, and turning slowly through all of the pages. A few recognizable words are said, but her supposed words bring some interesting guesses. I think more crayon shavings end up in her mouth than on her coloring pages. One of my favorite sights to see is when Zak gets home from work, and V realizes he'll be coming through the door any moment. She sprints toward him with a big grin on her face.

We're excited for Christmas activities and presents this year. She's already made wrapping gifts and decorating the gingerbread house into adventures. She loves putting on necklaces. She is one of God's perfect little creations, and I sure hope I don't ruin that with my parenting. We love her very much.

Christmas List

Swiss Cowbell and Vancouver Keychain

 I love Christmas traditions. A few years ago at my parents house I wrote a whole bunch of stories, movies, and activities on a December calendar. I've lightened up about some of it, and now make a calendar as a general guide, to help us remember some of the activities we like to do throughout the month to bring the feeling of Christmas. Included are movies such as "White Christmas," "Nora's Christmas Gift," "It's a Wonderful Life," "Mr. Krueger's Christmas," and Zak's favorite, "The Muppet Christmas Carol." I love to read stories, and this year made a recording of The Gift of the Magi, and then read Christmas Jars, which Mom Porter gave me last year. I baked several gingerbread houses using the family cast iron mold, but Zak and I were a little tired by the time it came to making our own. I have several nativity sets, and put them around the house. Husband discovered a love of burning scented candles (carefully), and we put up our little tree with ornaments collected from our travels and lives. To add a personal touch to some gifts to co-workers and others, I crocheted snowflake ornaments, which I then ironed and painted with glitter paint. They have a lot of room for improvement, but I enjoy the process and seeing the final outcome. I do love this time of year. May you spend time with family, and have a Merry Christmas and Happy 2013!

Moveable wooden man from Liechtenstein

Mickey Mouse hat from Sister's travels to

Disney World, Bear family given by a

wonderful family I met on my mission

Wooden Stars made by Dad Porter

Bunny in our backyard!

Before iron and paint