Rachel's Zoo

Things I Made

We were done with our Christmas shopping this year (everything was wrapped) by the beginning of December. Part of that endeavor was making several gifts for family and friends. Here are a few of the things I made before Christmas. Some were gifts and some were "just because".

It the past I've made my mom pot holder tops for hanging towels. This year I tried crocheted toppers. I made two others for a friend and I have more towels to make some for myself...eventually.

A "just because" crochet project for Abram. He has his monkey hat, but I wanted to make him another option. It's a little big, but it should last him a while. I think I'll end up lining it with some fleece to make it a bit snugger/warmer.

This project probably took the longest. It's a counted cross-stitch I made for my sister for Christmas. The pattern said "Life is Good", but I decided to change it a little bit. I probably won't do another cross-stitch for a while...they take FOREVER!

Leslie opening her Christmas presents. I also crocheted the scarf for her.

I made my Dad a "retirement chain" that he can take to school. It has a link for each day in his last semester of teaching! I took this idea from Curtis, who made me an "engagement chain" that was a year long!

Made some hair bows/clips for Paige. My first attempt at this kind of project...I'm sure to make more! I also made her a hat, but I need to get a picture of it.

I also wanted to make something for the boys (Caleb/Eli) this year. Their mom, Emily came up with the idea of activity centers for the van.The only pattern was what I drew but I made a sample out of scrap fabric before I cut into the expensive stuff. These can hook onto the back of the van seats in front of them and they can keep their crayons/books, etc in them. The bottom section can lay across their lap for them to draw on. I sewed in super thick vinyl to make it a smooth, more sturdy surface. I hope they work well for them!

The can be snapped shut to keep things together or to take them in somewhere. Not the easiest project, but pretty fun. I'll probably make something like this for my kids when they're older.

Abram and I made fudge for Christmas, a tradition I am definitely passing on to my children. One of my favorite smells is the Evap. milk, butter and sugar boiling. Mmmm...

Abram licked the spoon.

I licked the bowl!

Now that I have a girl, making things will probably go into hyper-drive! Although, I think I'll wait to make her clothes until she hits 2T or so...they grow so stinkin' fast! I made this crocheted headband for her newborn photo shoot with Donna.

Donna's pictures are a lot cuter:-) I also made the little photography prop blanket she's laying on for Donna sometime before Christmas.

I also made her a butterfly beanie and legwarmers. The legwarmers were a "combo" project. I wanted to make legwarmers, but I also needed to try out a new stitch for a hat Donna requested.

One of my friends had a product called a WubbaNub, which to me looked like a beanie baby stitched to a an Avent Soothie pacifier. So, that's pretty much what I did! haha It really does help keep track of the Soothies and keeps it from falling to the floor quite so often!

I also crocheted a hat and fingerless gloves for my cousin's fiance's little girl. Lydia got her name in the Christmas exchange. I still need to get a picture of these as well. They were really cute!

Christmas 2012

Lydia was a good little girl, came well before Christmas and was delivered in the regular, faster-healing way. So we were able to spend a week with our families up north. We had my family's Christmas on Christmas Eve with Grandpa, Grandma and Aunt Leslie.

Grandpa read the Christmas Story from Luke 2.

Tyson looking festive in his (slightly bedraggled) Christmas collar.

Abram passing out stockings.

Abram got some matchbox cars and a ramp! He was pretty thrilled:) He also got some more Schleich aminals, a Hermie movie, a phone, a book, underwear, clothes, etc.

I've wanted cowboy boots for a LONG time and was very surprised! I also got a loaf pan, a sweater, candy, scissors, gift cards, etc. Lydia got pretty clothes, diapers and a Christmas ornament.

Grandpa got a belt from Leslie and a hat from me. Abram was modeling them.

Tyson, in a very rare moment, sharing his new bed with Chip. He usually moves when another dog or cat tries to lay with him.

Christmas morning we unwrapped presents for our immediate family. Abram got bubble bath and a new shark bath towel. I got a DVD player for the car...for Abram's entertainment and my sanity on long trips.

Curtis got a stand mixer. I was very excited to get this for him. Mom and I bought it at the KitchenAid store in Greenville, OH. They had refurbished models that were so much less money than the new ones and then I got an extra discount with our AAA membership! SO he got a really nice one for less than $200! Thanks for helping with this one Mom and Dad, he was thrilled. :)

Our family of FOUR with our Christmas "haul".

We always have Christmas with Curtis' family on Christmas Day, but we had to split it up into two "acts" this year, because his brother's family was all sick! So Grandpa, Grandma, Mammaw, Tim, Krista and Kimberly were there and we just ate our Concannon donuts, did some stocking stuff and a few gifts for Abram and Lydia and hung out for a while. Jill and Krista braved the crowds that afternoon and went to see Les Mis. I took a nap.

Lydia and Grandma Cunningham

Abram got a big dog! He got an electronic board game thing that he's likes playing with in the car.

This toy was a hit as well...I just wish the batteries lasted longer!

We had a good 4 inches of snow Christmas night and the day after and then got another 5 or so later in the week. It was so pretty! Abram was bundled up for the snow but not really sure about going out there!

Daddy having fun on Grandpa's tractor plow.

Grandpa got him out there.

And then fell over (on purpose) in a drift.

He couldn't get back up so Daddy had to come to the rescue.

Hardacre Christmas (Dad's side), good to see everyone and very good food. Abram played well (thank you to Kyndyl and Aiden for playing with him so nicely!) and ate well!

I love the room where we have this event. It's at a Christian Camp right outside of Converse, IN and it's called "the cave" because it's built into a hill. It's such a nice space because there is a large kitchen with island for our "spread" and enough room to eat and then have the gift exchange, plus there are game tables to entertain the kids. This year I was VERY aware of how hard the pool balls were and how the kids were rolling (ahem, throwing) them so hard. I thought that Abram would surely be knocked out at some point in the afternoon! He survived.

We had a good turnout this year with 50 or so and my cousin Angel managed to get a picture of everybody that was there. I look forward to spending more time with ALL of my family this year.

Abram got a toy from Keagan and Lydia got a food chewy thing from Tegan. Wesley seemed to appreciate his Korean "Love" trucker hat "from" Abram. We left before the adult gift exchange this year so that we could do "act two" of the Cunningham/Wagner Christmas.

We finished up with presents at Chris and Emily's house now that everybody (except Tim, who was admitted to the hospital after he was having issues with being weak/dizzy. He was ok after running tests) was healthy again.

It was funny when we first got there because Paige was SOOO excited about Lydia. She just kept shrieking and smiling and pointing. It was pretty funny.

Krista on paparazzi duty. I rarely take pictures because she has it COVERED! haha I got some fun, fun socks, Curtis got a phone charger, Abram got undies, clothes, books and puzzles, Lydia got some ornaments and lots of pretty clothes!