More Sewing Ideas

Blankets

Diaper Covers

Pjs and Robes

Children's Clothing

Christmas at Grandma and Grandad's

Last night we celebrated Christmas with Daren's mom's side of the family. We celebrated a week earlier than usual because Daren's cousin is getting married next weekend.

It was a blast, and as crazy as ever. With 7 little ones running around it was quite a feat just to keep them fed and diapered! But, they all had a good time playing together. As you can see from the attached pics, everyone wore their pj's and they looked quite cute (Please see the chaos in the video of all of us trying to get a picture of them together.) Although, by the time dinner was over and it was time to open gifts, Mc was the only one still in hers. It was quite comical...

The adults played dirty Santa and the kids had all drawn names (Thanks Bo for the Noah's Ark Little People set.) All of the grandkids/spouses and great-grandkids gave g-ma and g-dad a picture of all of us on the front porch of their old house. I think they really liked it.

Also, the highlight of the evening was when Bo, one of the great-grandchildren (the oldest in fact... he's 4), said the blessing before dinner. So sweet and so well spoken.

It is always such a good time when we get together!

Breakfast with Santa

I'm a little hesitant to post this, because I really don't want anyone else to know about it. But, I can't resist. :)

This morning, our family, along with 3 other families went to Breakfast with Santa at Davis Kidd. It was very casual, very relaxed and very easy (not to mention not very crowded, hence the not wanting to tell you part.) I was so shocked. With 6 kids between the 4 families, our meal was quite pleasant. The food was decent and served buffet style so you could go get it whenever you wanted... nice!

Also, Santa was there. Everyone got their picture made with him and he was seriously the best Santa ever... so sweet with a very gentle nature. Every kid I saw had their pic made with him. (Not so upstairs when Mc and I went a few weeks ago.)

Afterward, we went over to the play area and let the kids hang out for a while. Then, Mc and Ava ran wild all over the mall (see video). Needless to say, after such a big morning, our girl took a good nap!

Cake Update

Sorry it took a while to update you on the outcome of our cake, but we've been quite busy. And sadly, somehow in all the rush, I deleted all of the pictures of Mc with her cake. There was one that was so cute too. I am so mad at myself. Oh well, at least I was able to salvage the video.

Just to setup the video, I told Mc I was going to get the camera so I could take her picture with the cake. When I came back in the room, the little sneak was sticking her finger into the lemon glaze we had just poured all over it. She thought she was so sneaky!

Oh and PS, the cake was great... we've already eaten the whole thing!

Officially in Business

Thanks to much prodding from all of you guys, I have taken and completed my first embroidery order!

So, without further ado, I am officially taking orders. I will definitely do dishtowels, nightgowns, t-shirts, golf towels, and sippy cups. These are items I can get myself and will try to keep in stock. Anything else you might need, Just let me know and we can talk about it.

I can't make any guarantees for Christmas, but email me with your needs and if I have it in stock, it shouldn't be a problem. (I'll definitely let you know if I can have it to you by Xmas before you order!)

Hope you all are excited; I know I am!

Help in the Kitchen

Mc is finally wanting to help in the kitchen! (Thank goodness since she is getting one of her own for Christmas!) The last few days she's been "helping" me. Saturday, we had company for dinner and she helped with the chicken and dumplings. Today, we are baking a cake together. She is a great ingredient adder and stirrer, although we have a slight problem keeping our hands out of the mix... of course she wants to touch everything. Don't worry though, I make her wash her hands before we cook!!!

The cake is baking as we speak... apricot nectar, yum yum!!! Here are some pics. I'll let you know how the final product turns out!

New Videos

I'm going to be posting a few new videos today; mainly to update the Seester, but I hope all of you enjoy them too!!!

I do realize that there is now a link where I can upload my videos right to the blog. I've done that a few times, but have decided I do not like it because when I want to go back and watch them it is more difficult to find them than it was when I was uploading them to google and posting on the left side of the blog over there. Sooo, anyway, be watching for a little Life with the Phillips maintenance today and enjoy the new videos!

PS- I realize how silly it looks to see my hand in the bubbles video and how poorly done it is. But, you trying filming and blowing bubbles at the same time... for someone with 0% coordination like me, it is quite a feat!!!!

Playgroup Party

Well, last night the first of our many Christmas parties took place. We hosted, or should I say Mc hosted, the Playgroup Christmas Party. I think it went off without a hitch and a good time was had by all!!! Thanks everyone for coming!

Here are pics from the night:

All the Kids

The Whole Playgroup including Mommies!

Opening Presents

Playing Together and Being Silly!

Even the adults got to visit and enjoy themselves!

Pics

A few weeks ago we had pics made of McHaney for our Christmas cards. Unfortunately, she was suffering from an ear infection, which we didn't know until later that day, and we weren't able to get very many. These are a few of my favorites though.

Creative Christmas

For the first time in my life, I am "making" a lot of my Christmas gifts. I use the term "making" loosely, but it is as close to being crafty as I'll ever get. Here are pics of a few gifts I worked on over the weekend:

Golf Towels

Sippy Cups

Placemats

William Sonoma Set

Happy Holidays!

Okay, I've been waiting days to post this...

Just to kick start your Christmas Holiday season, please check this out. You might pee your pants.

Thanksgiving

Well, it was a good Turkey Day all in all. Wednesday night we had John, Caroline, Jaclyn & Adam for dinner. Yesterday we went to Daren's Aunt's & my parent's. Tonight we went over to Dennis & Anna's to eat with Daren's Dad & Gimmy.

The only pics I took all holiday were tonight at Dennis & Anna's. I know that is hard to believe, but with Daren being the photographer in the family, not many moments were captured as all of the food seemed to distract him from his duty! Anyway, here are a few moments I was able to capture tonight.

Piggly Wiggly

I made pancakes this morning and Mc ate 3!!!! What a little piggy!

In My Shoes

Yesterday, Mc learned she could walk in my shoes... well, my wedges at least. She was so funny. She couldn't get in them by herself, so Daren would pick her up and put her in them. Then, she'd walk around the house, make the loop, and come back. Then she'd step out of them, bring them back to him. He'd pick her up, put her in them and there she'd go again. Sooo funny!

Oh, and here's a short video too. Look how serious she is!

Chef Raquel

I'll be going by Chef Raquel this week instead of plain old Rachel. I feel this is okay since I'll be cooking for Thanksgiving every night this week!!!!

It started Monday. I had to make dressing and needed my Nan's help. You know how your Grandmother's dressing is just the best? Well, seeing as how cooking seemed to skip a generation in my family, I have now been put in charge of learning the secrets to carrying on the tradition. It is hard though... I like to work off a recipe, not strictly mind you, but I like to have SOMETHING to go off of. There is no recipe for this though. It is a feel and taste thing, and I find it much more difficult than it should be. All that to say, I made it ahead of time to get the worrying out of the way. This was my 3rd time to make it and I cooked a small batch for dinner Monday night to see how it tasted. Pretty good if I don't say so myself. The rest is frozen waiting to be thawed and cooked.

Today, I have to make two loaded potato casseroles to take to the homeless at Room in the Inn. I made up the stuffing for the casserole last night. I also boiled and marinated shrimp for an appetizer tonight... speaking of tonight, did I mention I have company coming for dinner. Chicken Marsala with gnocchi and wilted spinach salad is on the menu.

Tomorrow, (ah, Thanksgiving), I have to make a squash casserole, and turnip greens. I started the turnip greens last night because it takes them about 2 days in a crockpot. Now my house smells like a big fart. Lovely. I've moved them to the garage to continue cooking, so hopefully my house will air out before company arrives.

For Friday, we'll be having a second, actually third I'm just not cooking for one of them, Thanksgiving with Daren's family. This is where the dressing comes in. I've got to thaw that and cook it, who knows for how long... there is no recipe. And, I'll be doing some gravy and chicken and dumplings.

Wow, that is alot. I'm starting to panic a little as I write, so I think I should probably end this right now before I decide to fake a stomach virus and just stay home all week!!!! :)

Still Jenny From the Block

I had to post a pic of this outfit. J-Lo ain't got nothin' on Mc!

A Weekend in the Sweat Shop

I spent the majority of my weekend making matching PJ's for all of Mc's little cousins (actually, only Sadie is her "cousin", the rest are Daren's cousins kids, so all of her second cousins, but whose counting, right!?!)


Anyway, we all go to his grandparents every year for Xmas and I thought it would be cute for them all to match this year. There are 8 of them, 3 more than last year, and it took several hours to finish, but I was pretty happy with the outcome! I hope their mommies like them as much as I do!!!!

Hopefully, I'll get a pic of all of them, in their attire at Xmas, to share!

First Real BooBoo

Mc had to wear her first band aid this week. She had the ear infection and was dizzy as a bicycle for about 3 days. One day she fell over and hit her head on the corner of the stairs.

It was my first time to actually clean and bandage her. She was so big. She cried a little, but wasn't hysterical. And, she calmed down right after I got the band aid on. Here is a pic... hopefully it won't leave a scar!

Special Moments

Don't you love those moments in your life that remind you of how lucky you really are? I had one this weekend and was quick enough to capture it on camera.

It was Saturday morning, Mc had gotten up early due to the ear infection. I jumped in the shower and left her with her daddy in bed.

Mc is a big snuggler. We snuggle in bed for about an hour every morning before we get up. But she won't snuggle with Daren really. I mean, she loves him and loves to play with him, but to her, that is not his role. He is her playmate, I am her nurturer. She goes to him when he wants to laugh and play. She comes to me when she wants to sleep, snuggle, etc. You get the picture.

Anyway, she got right up beside him that morning and wanted both arms to hold her tight. by the time I got out of the shower, they were both back asleep in each others arms. Such a sweet, precious moment. I love to see them love on each other. it makes me feel all warm inside!