Advent Calendars

LOVE THEM! And If I could have them all around I would. But maybe it is just because I have NOT found the perfect one, OR I just don't have places to put the things I like...

I saw this one at Love and Lillipops 

 

LOVE IT! And I have cute paper and stamps to do it...now just to find the time...

I remember the one we had growing up, it was a green felt tree and you got to place the presents on it found in little pockets. 

This was a cute idea too

Found Here

something cute for the kids to make...

found here

Because I do sell Stampin up, I HAD to get this cute advent calendar kit.

Then I thought I could reuse 1-14 for a Valentines day countdown...

Library card count down 

found here

although, this just might be what I am looking for to make my coupon book for my girls.

This year instead of gifts from me and K we are making special coupons for the girls.

I have found we have TOO much already and our little house is bursting at the seams and

well, sometimes less IS more. And I know our girls LOVE to have special dates with Mom and Dad.

my kids adore this one from Aunt Lyn

and I this is what it should truly be about  

Merry Christmas!

oh the anticipation

one evening in December, the girls were taking a bath while Jesica and I were busy (um ok so just Jesica) wrapping gifts. After I got the girls ready for bed they came out and saw the tree and some presents. OH SO SO EXCITING!!! Yes, Miss A discovered a stuffed animal from her great-granny. and these were actual expressions caught on camera, not posed...ok well except for the top one of Miss M - she is my cover girl...

Christmas Morning

just some of the excitement caught on camera.

Santa put all of Miss M's presents in a pink bin. She was a little sad when she thought that Santa had not brought her anything, that she had been on the naughty list. Then I showed her what was inside the pink bin she got pretty excited! "Oh I KNEW Santa wouldn't forget me!"

This gift was from Miss M. She picked it out for Miss A - AND wrapped it all by herself. It was so cute to see Miss M give gifts to everyone that she had picked out (and some she had paid for too). She was really comprehending that there is more than just getting.

Sweet Sisters!

Girls in Red Dresses...

with matching fur collars.
And then of course we had to get a matching one for Cousin Ella too.

I LOVE Christmas dresses!

Yes, there is a Santa

My heart is full.

My friend just came to our door with a box full of goodies for our family.
(from friends at church - because they love us)



THANK YOU!!
I just can't say it enough!

The Spirit Of Christmas

Visions Of Sugar Plums

Saturday we headed out to Hinsdale to meet up with my sister and her family for our annual Gingerbread house decorating.


It's always so fun to get together with her. Especially for this activity. Not sure who has more fun decorating the houses, the parents or the kids. Or who ends up with more candy, our tummy's or the houses.

This year Owen was the baby. He is so cute, Keenan held him the whole time (baby hog!)

Miss A hammed it up for the camera (including for the man who was at the club taking pictures)

Ella and Miss M were very creative with the candy.





Each year they add different candy. My favorite were the Pixie Sticks, the blue colored ones. I sprinkled the blue sugar all over the frosting to make it look more frozen. Miss M loved the idea and soon added, red, orange, purple and green. Miss A had a sugar high from the pixie sticks sugar I poured into her mouth.



After our houses were done, we headed to my favorite little restaurant. All Aboard Dinner. This was Keenan's first time and he ordered the double cheeseburger and loved every bite!
My sister and I had fun catching up chatting away while our husbands kept an eye on the kids.
It was a great family day!

The Most Famous Reindeer of all

They really got into the Christmas spirit while we were decorating our house.

Then, when we were working on an art project, Miss M thought it would be fun if we all had red noses. They make cute little reindeer!

A fun tradition

On Christmas Eve, my Mom gives all the girls a new pair of Christmas socks that we are to wear on Christmas Day, so that no matter where we all are, we all have fun Christmas socks on.

Wee-Haw!!!!!!!

Does this not just capture the excitement of Christmas presents!?!?! Marlee received a BUG Tooth Lightning McQueen from Ava. I think this was Marlee's favorite gift, well and the Rainbow pony from Santa.
(my battery went dead just as she was opening that, so we missed the excitement of the pony!)

Go Packers! or Bears!

For Christmas my sister and her husband gave Keenan and I tickets to see the Packer and Bear game on December 23. We had such a good time hanging out with our family - Lyn and I spent most of the time in the Cadillac club (inside) enjoying people watching, hot chocolate and other (not so good for you) Yummy food! Keenan and Jeff came in ONCE to warm up a bit and to get a HUGE prime rib sandwich. (at half time)
It was SO cold out side, I think it was even below zero with the wind chill. I lasted outside for most of the first quarter. But since I am a Packer fan and they did HORRIBLE I was fine with sitting inside out of the cold! I couldn't believe that Jeff and Keenan stayed out for all of the game. We sat in row 8 on the 50 Yard line. When Lyn and I went back outside for the 4th quarter it was even colder than when the game first started. The Bears played a great game. And we will just say, the Packers were saving themselves, didn't want any unnecessary injuries!

Thanks again Lyn and Jeff for the great time!

Keenan and Rebekeh at the 50 yard line!

So cold you can see our breath
Rebekeh, Jeff, Lyn

Brett Farve

Keenan's prime rib sandwich

Packers and the Bears December 23, 2007

We wish you a...

Merry Christmas!

We hope you are having a WONDERFUL DAY
wherever you are!

and a Happy New Year!

With Every Christmas Card I Write...

December 2007

There have been some fun new changes in our lives this year, the most
exciting one being the birth of our second daughter Ava. After a pretty
rough pregnancy we were very happy to have her come into the world
and be a part of our family!

Ava loves to smile and coo. She especially loves her big sister Marlee.
Ava really enjoys music and her swing. She is very easy going and loves
to be a part of whatever we are doing! We Love to watch her grow and learn
new things every day.

Marlee is three years old. She has so many new interests.
Her newest is her love of words. She knows her alphabet and the sounds of
each letter. She loves to spell and write words, sing songs and cook in
the kitchen, our own Little Chef! Marlee enjoys playing games, computer,
board games, but her favorite are guessing games, whether it's "What animal am I"
or lines from movies, she's good at them all, especially coming up with clues!
She continues to amaze us each day.

I love staying at home with the girls, I am still trying to get the hang
of a new routine with 2 children. Some days are better than others. I serve in
the primary at church and enjoy working with the children. I still love to be
creative with cards and scrap booking. This year I have added Blogging to
my life. And I LOVE it.! It is such a fun way to keep in touch with so many
of our friends and family. I look forward to learning new things next year -
I was thinking of digital scrap booking and maybe trying to knit (again)…

Keenan had a big change in his life this year, he is in the bishopric in
our church. He is the 2nd counselor , serving with two other men. A pretty big
service with lot's of new challenges and blessings. He is still working for
United Airlines. He also has had the opportunity to perform a lot more this year.
He really enjoys entertaining! And we enjoy the wonderful talent he has to share
with us and others. Keenan also continues to surprise me with talents I didn’t
know he had. Like sewing, he made curtains for our dinning room,
and they look awesome!

WE always enjoy this time of year, when we can reflect on the wonderful
blessing we have in our lives. And we are grateful that
you are a part of our blessings!

May your day's be merry and bright, and may all your Christmas' be white!...
Happy Holiday’s!
Love,
The Kamae's

On the 12th day of Christmas...

My Sister-in-law just sent me this you tube video so fun! Enjoy!
(Thanks Karie!)

Mary Did you Know

This has been a favorite song of mine, and this year Marlee loves it too. She asks to listen to it every time we get into the car. The other day one of the lines from
the song touched me.
"When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God"
I started thinking about my children and how special they are, and what a wonderful gift I have been given with these two children of God. Tonight when I was on line looking for the lyrics to this song, I happened upon you tube where several people have made videos to this song, some were very touching as all of Christ's life and death were shown, I think the most touching was to see how Mary watched her son and to see how she felt when those things were happening to him.
( I seem to be reflecting a lot - must be all the after the baby hormones...)

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that youve delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby
You kiss the face of god

Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the lamb

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is lord of all creation?
Did you know
That your baby boy will one day rules the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heavens perfect lamb?
This sleeping child youre holding
Is the great I am