painting #2

I have finished my second painting from my watercolor classes and I love it. Once again, the coloring is a little off due to my photography with a flash at night... but you get the idea anyways. I have this thing where I have to paint something with meaning... otherwise, I feel like it would be a waste of my time and money. And the thing that means the most to me is people. When I showed this painting (unfinished) to my mom- she was wondering why I didn't just paint a picture of the scenery without the boat or else with the full boat in view (maybe she thought the shot was awkward or unprofessional) but honestly- I like the awkwardness of it. And when I am canoing this is what I see most... the back of another person. So, seeing Chrissy here in the boat brings me back to boating with her. LOVE IT. I will be showing both of my paintings in an art show in January! And I will be starting a new class in January too~ I can't wait to share with you my next painting- its going to be so good.

circus act

Dennis is learning so many tricks. I think he is training to become a circus performer... now he just has to put the two tricks together!

GIFTS

I have a friend who decided to make this season's blog filled with new gift ideas everyday. Such a cute idea and I have really enjoyed going to her blog to check out some good gift ideas. I might have to copy her next year and fill my blog with things that I would like to get for christmas or that I think ANYONE would like for christmas. (really great hint for the hubs)

My absolute favorite thing to do for christmas is make gifts for people. I am drowning in crafty goodness right now on my dinig room table... and lets be honest- its taking over my house. But, I just keep getting new ideas. I guess I will have to get started earlier next year... maybe january?

I will share the crafts that I am doing after the holiday so as not to spoil anyone's surprise. But, I am getting inspired by some of my friend's ideas that I would like to share with you. I might make them in the future- but no immediate plans yet. First, I have a friend that makes sweater-pants for her little girl that are so darling! And, she even made some for herself! She is such a nut. Second, I have a friend that is doing this whole week filled with tutorials on how to make some cool things... so far, tuesday: Celebrate banner, wednesday: portable car port... so cute- and there is more to come all week. Plus, there is a free give away at the end of the week (go to her blog to find out the details of the drawing). You should check both out.

I am so grateful for talented friends that keep me totally inspired!

LAUGHTER

music to a mama's ears. I love this boy to pieces.

sunday ORANGE

my handsome boy on sunday morning. He wouldn't stand still to get a full body shot.
His favorite way of eating an orange: I peel half of it and he just digs in.

'tis the season

to be jolly! Fa la la la la la la la la.... After being sick for 2 weeks Dennis is back to his normal-jolly-self. Don't get me wrong... he has his moments of being a toddler... (yes, his opinion is STRONG) but it sure is nice to see his dashing smile often! Today as we were going shopping at Target, Dennis was talking up a storm... people would come up and say, "boy, he has a lot to say!" So nice to hear... sometimes we worry that he isn't trying to talk enough. I suppose it will happen and then he won't stop. :)

Dennis LOVES oranges. Whenever he sees one, he points at it and says, "uh, uh, uh" (I want one!) He will eat the whole thing! Peel and seeds included. I am trying to get him to realize that the inside is the only thing worth eating... but he hasn't caught on yet. Tangelos, tangerines, clementines, and navel oranges.... he loves them all! He will eat them like an apple right on through the peel!

He also LOVES goldfish... I think he eats them a lot at daycare because when I picked some up at the grocery store, he was begging for the bag as soon as he saw it in my hand. I gave it to him and by the time we were at the check out the bag was soggy... thank goodness for the plastic lining. The bag was opened before we got to the car.

Poor kid was playing with one of the christmas ornaments that had a wire connecting two bells. Well, next thing I knew he was bleeding. No, this next picture isn't lipstick--Yes, it is blood. I think it scared me more than him... actually I don't think he even noticed! No more wires...

Our first day back from Thanksgiving in Utah we got a christmas tree. We decorated it after Dennis went to sleep that night and in the morning he had a big suprise.

At first, he was a little intimidated... and tired... and sick (he came home in the middle of the day from daycare with a fever that day) but it didn't take long before the bottom of the tree became bare and the bottom of our laundry shoot all decorated! We put the kid friendly ornaments on the bottom just for that purpose.

I LOVE our tree this year. Tall, and skinny... the perfect Balsam Fir from northern Michigan!

While we were in Utah, Nonnie (Maree or Dennis's Grandma) gave Dennis some Christmas books to start off his season. One of the books looked familiar and after talking with my mom, I remember that it was a book from my childhood too. Dennis LOVES it! I'm not sure if he is actually smelling the pictures or if he is blowing on them, but he thinks it is pretty fun. Thanks Nonnie!

too rowdy?

This is what Dennis does when he thinks the dogs are getting too rowdy... well, at least this is what he did two weeks ago...