2009 Holiday Wrap Up

The holidays and birthdays are literally the busiest times of year for our family.  It seems we average between 6-8 get togethers for each occassion...excessive...we know!  This year for the holidays we really focused on just spending quality time with our families and our children.  And the gifts were no exception.  We wanted the kids to get something unique and handmade instead of something from Wal-mart that you literally spend more time getting out of the box then them actually playing with it!  *Sigh*

To begin with, we made homemade ornaments...

All Done....

We enjoyed our first snow...

And of course you need to warm up with some homemade chocolate chip cookies and vegan hot cocoa (from this cookbook...AMAZING!!!)

Then there was the Gingerbread house...

And what holiday season would be complete without lots of cooking...

Adapted Basic Cookie Recipe from More Vegetables, Please!

The Best Ever Banana Bread from The Complete Guide to Country Cooking

(We also wrapped these up to pass out for Christmas!  What a yummy gift!)

We rode the train to...

...to see the Kris Kringle Festival with some dear friends!

Where they had ornaments from around the world...

and lots of sweet treats:

And some of the most beautiful star lanterns I've ever seen...

Now, no trip would be complete if we didn't see the Macy's displays...

And yes...it was so cold out even the birds had their own campfires! ;)

And finally...some of the kids favorite gifts under the Christmas tree...

Two handmade wooden daggers from salvaged Red Oak with leather sheaths...

Wendy's (Birch Leaf Designs) craftsmanship was amazing!!!  (Thank you girl!  The kids both love them dearly and have been protecting the house since!  :) ) She also offers whimisical, natural wood and fabric playthings (or toys if you will) and some housewares as well!  Check her store out!!!  I highly recommend her products!  Very well made indeed!  :)

Then there is the wooden catapult!  Oh My Goodness!!!

Mark (The Wood Toy Shop)...Ha!  I'm under attack right now!  hehehe!  Let me just say that this is very well made out of hard wood and finished with a non-toxic mineral oil.  He is very skilled in his creations and has some amazing toys...I think the decoder would be a hit with our son!!!   Perhaps a future birthday gift!!!  Seriously though...he's got a talent and the toys are so well made that these will last for years!  Be sure to check out his shop!!!  Again...highly recommended!!!

Last but not least...they also dearly love their Amish made Marble Run!

All of these gifts were finely crafted wooden heirloom toys. If you are honestly looking for a gift of lasting value, a wooden toy is the only way to go!!!  The love that went into building them shines through the woodgrains and our family truly loves them!

But above all...I'm so greatful we were able to share these times together...our children grow up so quickly and I hope to savor each and every moment of their sweet innocence...It's truly a beautiful life...

Before I sign off, head over to WalkSlowlyLiveWildly for an amazing giveaway of the talented Lisa Leonard Designs $50 Gift Certificate!!!  Hurry, it ends this Friday!  Goodluck and have a beautiful day!

Jes