Traditionally the kids get to open one gift on Christmas Eve. Additionally, it's always something homemade, like a set of
pjs, etc. This year they are all in a sewing class and made their own nightshirts (only Ethan hadn't finished his, and Ian just doesn't have his on in this photo). At any rate, these are the pants I made for them. I sneaked into their scraps and took pieces of their remaining cloth to individualize each pair.
The rest of these photos are out of order, but I don't think it really matters. Daryn was away for the first part of December, but found this cute hat for Amber while he was in Japan. It's a bit big, but she loves it.
Grandma Val made Amber a knitting bag from a place mat and sent an assortment of knitting accessories as well. She felt like she hit the jackpot!
Grandma and Grandpa also sent the kids new bathrobes. The kids have exclaimed they are comfy, cozy, and quite warm!
I was making a crocheted market bag for Mom and my sister, Jo, and Daryn saw me working on one of them one evening and said it was something he could really use because he goes to the commissary frequently while at work to get stuff for lunch. He would rather have something reusable than the plastic bags he ends up with each trip. So, while he was in Japan, I found some cotton yarn I thought he'd like, and made one for him, too!
These are the socks I made Daryn. I was working on these in July when we made our trip to and from Idaho!
These are the socks I made for Ian (left) and Evyn (right). They are supposed to be mismatched. They are called
Dobby Socks. In Harry Potter, the house elf,
Dobby, made socks for Harry. One had a snitch and the other had broomsticks. I had intended on all three boys getting a pair, but I ran out of time!
Ethan, however, ended up with my first ever pair of socks made at the same time on one needle. I used self-patterning yarn. I'm not sure if he was thrilled, but they sure fit his feet well. He's also wearing the hat I made for him.
Evyn FINALLY got his quilt. Boy, this was a difficult project for me. My sister is the Quilting Queen in our family. This quilt took me 3 years (maybe 4?) to complete. I probably should have tied it more (in the center of the squares) but I just couldn't get myself to do it. I finally bit the bullet and sewed scraps together to make the binding and after sewing it on one side, hand-stitched it on the other side in hidden stitch. It was an emotional morning for both of us. He was so happy to get it, and I was so glad to give it to him!
Grandma Val sent Ian a knitting needle case as well and he was so glad to have it. I think this was once Mom's, which makes it even more special.
Mom also sent me a scarf she got when they had taken a trip to Italy. I love the color. I guess some would call it champagne; it looks like a bronze/gold to me. It went beautifully with the two turtlenecks she sent as well.
Grandma Judy got the kids "Life: Twists and Turns." She has it at home and is excited to come and visit and play with them here! The only down side is that it's only for 4 players, so we all have to take turns playing. It's fun! You don't know who's winning until the last play and the electronic device tells you!
Grandma Val and Grandpa John (Mom and Dad) visited in September and had an outdoor game called
Ladderball. Everyone had so much fun playing it, that they bought another one and left it here for the kids for Christmas. We're all excited to get out and play it again!
Grandma and Grandpa also sent the boys mess kits for camping. They were so thrilled with these gifts.
Like I said, these are out of order. Here are the kids with their stockings.
These woven stockings are handmade and numbered. They were sent by my sister, Jo. She said that in the years ahead, she will send things that can go in them.
The rest of these photos are out of order, but I don't think it really matters. Daryn was away for the first part of December, but found this cute hat for Amber while he was in Japan. It's a bit big, but she loves it.
Grandma Val made Amber a knitting bag from a place mat and sent an assortment of knitting accessories as well. She felt like she hit the jackpot!
Grandma and Grandpa also sent the kids new bathrobes. The kids have exclaimed they are comfy, cozy, and quite warm!
I was making a crocheted market bag for Mom and my sister, Jo, and Daryn saw me working on one of them one evening and said it was something he could really use because he goes to the commissary frequently while at work to get stuff for lunch. He would rather have something reusable than the plastic bags he ends up with each trip. So, while he was in Japan, I found some cotton yarn I thought he'd like, and made one for him, too!
These are the socks I made Daryn. I was working on these in July when we made our trip to and from Idaho!
These are the socks I made for Ian (left) and Evyn (right). They are supposed to be mismatched. They are called Dobby Socks. In Harry Potter, the house elf, Dobby, made socks for Harry. One had a snitch and the other had broomsticks. I had intended on all three boys getting a pair, but I ran out of time!
Ethan, however, ended up with my first ever pair of socks made at the same time on one needle. I used self-patterning yarn. I'm not sure if he was thrilled, but they sure fit his feet well. He's also wearing the hat I made for him.
Evyn FINALLY got his quilt. Boy, this was a difficult project for me. My sister is the Quilting Queen in our family. This quilt took me 3 years (maybe 4?) to complete. I probably should have tied it more (in the center of the squares) but I just couldn't get myself to do it. I finally bit the bullet and sewed scraps together to make the binding and after sewing it on one side, hand-stitched it on the other side in hidden stitch. It was an emotional morning for both of us. He was so happy to get it, and I was so glad to give it to him!
Grandma Val sent Ian a knitting needle case as well and he was so glad to have it. I think this was once Mom's, which makes it even more special.
Mom also sent me a scarf she got when they had taken a trip to Italy. I love the color. I guess some would call it champagne; it looks like a bronze/gold to me. It went beautifully with the two turtlenecks she sent as well.
Grandma Judy got the kids "Life: Twists and Turns." She has it at home and is excited to come and visit and play with them here! The only down side is that it's only for 4 players, so we all have to take turns playing. It's fun! You don't know who's winning until the last play and the electronic device tells you!
Grandma Val and Grandpa John (Mom and Dad) visited in September and had an outdoor game called Ladderball. Everyone had so much fun playing it, that they bought another one and left it here for the kids for Christmas. We're all excited to get out and play it again!
Grandma and Grandpa also sent the boys mess kits for camping. They were so thrilled with these gifts.
Like I said, these are out of order. Here are the kids with their stockings.
These woven stockings are handmade and numbered. They were sent by my sister, Jo. She said that in the years ahead, she will send things that can go in them.
