.crayon wallet.

I made this little crayon wallet for Kamryn for Christmas. I saw some of these on Etsy (where I did most of my Christmas shopping this year!) and bought a pattern.

I thought Kamryn would enjoy it and it’s the perfect size to throw in a purse or bag to have paper and crayons at the ready!

.heider hooligans 2012.

For a few years now, my extended Heider family has been saying we need to get together…we need to get together…let’s see each other somewhere other than a wedding or a funeral! We used to get together at Christmas time each year, but haven’t done it for about 20 years. Since then, the 3 Heider brothers have passed away (my Grandpa Walt and his brothers, Robert & Alvin) so they were greatly missed at this party – but would’ve LOVED it if they were there!

We went to my Mom’s cousin Jim’s new “man cave” – it was unlike any man cave I’d ever seen! Jim has been on a few safaris and has brought back some incredible animals. I’m not into that, but it was pretty amazing to see all of them. I think he was just missing a giraffe and maybe a hippo. :)

It was so great to see everyone and just get to hang out! We don’t get to do that often enough!

Here’s some pictures from the day – most of them taken by my Mom’s cousin Lori.

This was the whole group that was there.

Ping pong was popular – although mostly with the Ritzville Heider’s. :)

Wendy and Kim – they were friends growing up and then Kim married into the family so now they’re cousins! So fun! Wendy claimed one of the fox pelts and wore it around throughout the night!

Jim, Amber, & Mark

 

Amber rocked Alaina to sleep and then Alaina stayed asleep in her arms for a few hours!

 

The original Heider girls – Lori, Mom, and Wendy

 

Alaina – the new generation!

 

Shane & Gavin

 

BJ & Amber

 

Martin & Wendy made the trek from Bellevue – it wouldn’t have been the same without them.

  

My aunt Kim, Wendy, and my Mom

These three handsome guys were all born the same year -
BJ, Mark, & Jim

They were having Black Velvet and water in honor of their Dads!

 

These three lovely ladies all teach 5th grade – the best Heider 5th grade teachers in the state!
Aimee, Amber, & Wendy

Gavin and Shane

 

Uncle Gavin and Alaina

 

Grandma and I – I think someone else must’ve been taking a picture of us!

 

My crazy Uncle Mark!

Go Grandma Go! :) Fireball with Wendy!

 

Handsome bunch of men – BJ, Kelly, Jim, & Dad

  

so cute – Lori & Mom

The A’s – Andee, Amber, Alaina, and Aimee

 

 

AH! Karlye finally got here!

Gavin, Karlye, & Mark

Ah – we left early and missed this fun cousin picture!

 

The Jo’s – they have all the fun!
Mom, Karlye, & Wendy

 

Karlye double fisting it to catch up with the rest of us!

 

 

 

Can’t wait for the next one! Love the crazy Heider’s! :)

.frances and louise go to the white house.

Lisa posted this picture of Frances & Louise visiting the White House during Christmas season – they are so darn cute! <3 them!!

.christmas card 2012.

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Here's my Christmas card for 2012! Love the pictures from Puerto Vallarta...wish I could be there again... :)

.a bouquet for Nick.

I saw this great idea on Pinterest (http://www.waittilyourfathergetshome.com/2012/04/02/man-bouquet/) – surprise, surprise! I knew it would be perfect for Nick’s birthday, so off to the liquor store I went! Shucks! It was fun to pick out the little airplane sized bottles of alcohol I knew he’d (or Kate…in a few months) would like!

I cut skewers to different sizes and hot glued them to the bottles. I put a styrofoam ball in the bottom of the pot and then sprayed the top with spray glue to get the paper confetti to stick. Stick the skewers into the foam ball and wha la!

 

A man’s bouquet!

 

Happy Birthday Nick! :)

.day of silence.

.christmas baking.

I did some Christmas baking today – or pretzel dipping, not really baking.

Here’s the lineup:

Rolo Pretzels – YUM!

Unwrap all the Rolos from the foil. I used two bags of Rolos (and had to buy them in Connell – cha ching cha ching!).

Lay out pretzels (Costco ones work really well) on a foil or parchment paper lined cookie sheet…one with sides works well since they kinda slide around. Put one Rolo on top of each pretzel. Put them in the oven at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes or until the chocolate shines and is slightly melted.

 

Press a pecan in the center of the Rolo, smashing the Rolo down and causing it to spread out over the pretzel.

Let them sit for about an hour or until hardened.

Enjoy – but not all at once! :)

Next – Dipped pretzels

Melt the Almond Bark in the microwave according to the directions on the package.

Put a handful of pretzels in the bark, make sure it’s completely covered, then fish it out and lay it to dry on wax paper.

   

I used two packaged of almond bark and the pretzels filled two 9x13” Tupperware containers when I put them away. Between the Rolo pretzels and the dipped pretzels, I used two full bags of Rold Gold small pretzels. The Costco ones work real well, but I didn’t get to Costco.

Last for today – Snicker Doodles!

Here’s my Mom’s Snicker Doodle recipe in our church cookbook.

 

I think this recipe made about about 6 dozen cookies. Could’ve made a few more, but I had to sneak some of the dough. Guilty!

 

Yum! Now on to the next round…coming soon!

.tea party.

I love plus signs and making plus sign quilts, so this was a no brainer! It was A. LOT. of work though – lots of little pieces and pressing. I pieced it at Priest Lake and luckily, my Grandma helped with the pressing.

 

I took it to Susan to quilt and she did great big aqua flowers in each square along with my favorite way to quilt the borders. It’s so pretty!

 

My favorite part of this one is the red hounds tooth backing!

Pattern: Tea Party by Cluck Cluck Sew
Fabric: Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille