Ten on Wednesday

1. Is it just me or does Peppermint Mocha CoffeeMate not taste nearly as good after December 25th?

2. For the first time yesterday Justin actually used packing tape on Kendry’s diaper after one of the tabs tore off in the changing process. He says he didn’t want to waste an otherwise perfectly good diaper which, by my calculations, only cost us about twenty cents. Have I mentioned how frugal my husband is?

3. And today we woke up to a few inches of snow. Its only a week late.

4. I think scarves are just about the greatest outfit accessory ever. I love ‘em! Inevitably, next year they will be “out”, and I will still have a giant stack of them in my closet. I can never keep up with fashion trends.

5. Two cats just poked their cute little faces up against the window next to my desk. At moments like that I think I would love to have another kitty like our sweet Kaia…and then I remember all the cat hair.

6. I had hoped to take Kendry swimming for the first time this coming weekend but, alas, the new swimsuit I ordered isn’t scheduled to arrive until next week. Depending on how he does we might sign him up for swim lessons this spring. I had wanted to have him start in December, but figured the other moms and kiddos might be grossed out by Kendry’s spitting up in the water. He has almost outgrown that.

7. Is it okay to pick the same New Year’s Resolution two years in a row? Last year’s cooking one meal each week resolution kinda died off as my pregnancy wore on. Now that Kendry is starting to eat a wider variety of solid foods my interest in cooking healthy meals for my family is growing.

8. I am loving the after Christmas lull this year. Normally, having nothing on the horizon after Christmas leaves me a little depressed, but this year all I can think about is all the free time I have to accomplish things.

9. #1 on the “to be accomplished” list is cleaning up our basement, which has been filthy dusty and cluttered since having our central air installed in September. We are attacking that project on New Year’s morning.

10. For New Year’s Eve this year we are having a family night at home: a yummy dinner, the movie “Hangover” and a wonderfully early bedtime. Sounds divine!

Christmas with the Gimlins

Here are a few photos from our wonderful Christmas 2009.

My boys in green:Kendry in his Christmas best:

Three Gimlin generations goofin around:


Kendry thinkin to himself: "Hmmm...this present thing ain't a bad deal at all..."

Our family:

We hope you all had a great Christmas!

My Favorite "Ice Road" Trucker

Have you seen the show "Ice Road Truckers" on the History Channel? Justin and I watched a few of the Canada episodes, and then a few more of the Alaska ones. I will admit that the main attraction to me was simply seeing the Alaskan scenery, which I still miss terribly, even when I know Alaska is in the dead of winter. For those who don't know, my dad is a truck driver in Alaska. And no, that is not his truck in the picture above. Here I am with him in August 2007 at Hilltop truck stop, which is just north of Fairbanks. We are standing in front of the load he was hauling to Prudhoe.It has become a tradition for Justin and I to meet my dad for breakfast at Hilltop when we visit Alaska. Even though Kendry wasn't eating solid food last summer, he still got to tag along for an authentic truck stop breakfast. Hilltop is where Justin proposed to me in 2005 - of course, when we were meeting my dad for breakfast before he headed north.

My dad has spent decades driving what is known as the haul road in Alaska, so I especially love hearing his take on "Ice Road Truckers". I actually watched an episode with him this last summer and got a kick of how often he chuckled or shook his head at the portrayal of the Alaskan truck drivers and their adventurous occupation.

Here is my dad in his truck a few years ago (with my nephew Caden):My pops recently shared his thoughts and knowledge for a magazine article about the reality show "Ice Road Truckers":
http://www.akbizmag.com/component/content/article/1089.html

Love you, Dad!

Ten on Thursday

1. 4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 2. A business I drive past on my way to work each day has a sign that reads: “How Can I Make This a Happier Christmas?” I hope we all take the time to consider and act on that thought.

3. 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

4. I am excited to attend the candlelight service at church tonight. It is so magical to sing about Christ’s coming surrounded by simple candlelight. What a beautiful way to remember the greatest gift we could ever receive, and the true reason we celebrate Christmas.

5. 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

6. I keep imagining how precious it will be to see Kendry in his Christmas pajamas by the tree tomorrow morning, his very first Christmas. We are so blessed to have our baby boy.

7. 1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east[b] and have come to worship him."

8. T minus three hours until we depart for Quincy and our good old fashioned family Christmas. And in my head I keep hearing: “Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house we go…”

9. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever shall believe in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” ~John 3:16~

10. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care..."

Three years ago, Justin bought me my very first sewing machine for Christmas. Its just a little Brother machine from Wal-mart, but it has been a great starter model for me. These days the high-tech sewing machines by Singer and Bernina seem to have hundreds of different features and tools, not to mention their computer capabilities. As much as I would love to have a fancy machine that can make almost anything, the very thought of even glancing at the user manual of one of those machines is enough to make me break into a sweat. We have had our new digital camera for over a year now and I still can't really tell you how to use it. That should give you some indication of how motivated I am to tackle new technology.

The very first pattern I bought was for a Christmas tree skirt and stockings. I tackled the stockings first, making them with corduroy fabric dotted with snowflakes. Justin's is blue, mine is red. They turned out beautifully, especially for a first sewing project. This year it took me a little while to get Kendry's stocking done. Who knew a baby could take up so much of the time I used to allocate to crafts, decorating and sewing? I decided to make Kendry's stocking out of corduroy as well, but picked out a different fabric color and pattern.

Something about each of us having unique handmade stockings is so precious to me. If you look at them closely you will see that each one has a few little sewing errors here and there, and they vary slightly in size, but that is what makes them so special. At last, we are a family of three this Christmas.

I finally got the stockings hung above the fireplace last night. Hey, they only need to be up by Christmas Eve, right? Beforehand, I let Kendry do a quick inspection of his stocking:

He likes it!Then he got distracted by a present...

As for the tree skirt pattern I have had for the last three years, I think I might finally get around to buying the fabric on clearance after Christmas. Check back with me in another year to see if its finished.