The Thurber Gang

Someone said to me a few weeks ago, "Out of necessity comes creativity." How true it is!! I have had such fun this Christmas - giving to my girls and family almost all homemade gifts. And nearly *everything* came from our house already. I cut up sheets for skirt lining, used textured maternity clothes for quilts, scraps and burp rags for baby doll quilts, shirts and jeans to make purses. I think that the gifts I made this year will be treasured long after the things they 'wished for' will have been forgotten. Here are a few of my favorites. . . Rattle Snakes for the baby boys in my life (and Vivie!!) The tails actually rattle. Made out of Milo's ties. . . A special request from my nieces. . . Finger painted canvases for Auntie Tristin's condo. Madison wanted a skirt similar to this all year long - the big black elastic waistband, flower print. . . also, by making it myself, I could regulate the length!!! Lillian's team had a picture frame exchange for the

Our unconventional Christmas card. . . We wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a fabulous new year!!

Wear RAIN BOOTS! It has rained on us a LOT this year. More figuratively than literally, of course. But, we've found so many ways to enjoy that rain. Here's one of the fun ways - while we were in Alberta this past year, Grammy noticed that the girls didn't have rain boots. It became her mission while we were there to find the very functional (not to mention SUPER CUTE) galoshes for our girls. Since then, they've gotten a lot of use, and we're very thankful for them, and for Grammy!

1997 Same place, (same photographer!) 2008 And now it's been 13 years. Blessed!

Every year the girls want to carve pumpkins. And every year we let them paint them instead. . . We always have good intentions, but the thoughts of the ensuing mess usually overpowers those intentions, and painting them can be pretty fun, too. This year, we promised - and we KEPT that promise!!! The girls had a fabulous time. Vivien and Mommy designed a Kitty pumpkin. Ella drew silly eyes on the pumpkin she designed with Dad. Madison and Lillian designed a traditional pumpkin, and were huge helps cleaning out the 'guts'. We roasted the seeds with salt and cinnamon. YUM. Lillian was *awesome* for cleaning out the pumpkins. Not grossed out at all!! And here they were last night - we put them right outside the door, just before bed. They looked so cute and the girls were VERY proud of their work. . . But, around 2:00 this afternoon, some boys came by (we were even home!) and smashed the poor pumpkins. . . Madison picked up all the pieces so that they weren't sprawling al

We *LOVE* Dairy Queen cakes. LOVE, *L*O*V*E* them. Not only are they about the tastiest things ever, they are ice cream and cake together, so for birthday parties, they are EASY. We've had amazing luck with the artists at Dairy Queen, making beautiful cakes for our daughters that compliment the themes of their parties perfectly. Here are a few examples. . . Sadly, our 8 year streak of good luck ended when Milo picked up Vivien's 5th Birthday cake, about 30 minutes before the party, and was at a loss when he saw the art work. . . Mucho disappointing. . . but pretty funny!! (As a point of reference, here is the picture that I brought to them to replicate. . . I just asked for Merliah - the main Barbie)

Just before school started, each one of the girls won a goldfish at a local fair. One by one, the goldfish left us for the ultimate fish bowl. . . except one. And his name is Lucky. Lucky was a very active little fishy until the third fish died - over a week ago. . . since then, he sits at the bottom of the fish bowl, doesn't move, doesn't flip his fins at all. . . unless I scare him to see if he's still alive. I think poor Lucky is depressed.

We have been incredibly lucky that each one of our girls have had an amazing kindergarten teacher. Each one of my girls has had a teacher that is fun, emphasizes academics, demands respect in a loving way, and is inspiring... Each one of my girls have loved their kindergarten teacher... and the coolest thing is that they've all had the same one!!! Thanks, Mrs Zentz, for all that you do!! Vivien and Mrs. Zentz, 2010 Gabriella in Mrs Zentz classroom, 2008 (I can't find another one with them in it together, darn it!!) Lillian and Mrs. Zentz, 2006 Madison and Mrs. Zentz 2004

This summer was getting a little long. . . Being off school since the end of February made for a LOT of fun, but also a lot of down time for the girls. Their good friends had moved away, and it seemed that everyone else was on vacation!! By the beginning of August, they were watching more TV than EVER before, playing on the computer, etc. . . My friend, Lisa came to my rescue one day, however, after I'd told her that I was in desperate need of ideas to keep my girls occupied. She suggested having them make their own pencil cases. . . of course, my girls loved the idea and quickly searched online for tutorials. Using scraps (of course!!) here are the cases they came up with. They did most of the sewing, with me just helping them along. Vivien wasn't interested at first, so she didn't pick out a zipper (the only thing I didn't have on hand, bummer!) But she's wanting one now, so sometime soon we'll make her one, too!! Madison and Lillian really got into per