beginning to look a lot like Christmas (for Haiti)

Em got really creative this year and started pulling junk wood pieces from the shop pile and Christmas painting them...this has been fun to no end.  Happy crafting is my secret de-stresser!

then Aunt Brenda sent this GORGEOUS real looking wreath, and it is just beautiful.  LOVE having it on our non-snowy front door!

This is my Haiti nativity piece, and my special angel from Carol.

another trash pile paint project...

I used my one and only magazine subscription, Real Simple, to make this fun craft...reminded me of college modge podge nights!

My sister's chalk board is so perfect for all seasons, complete with the permanent "AYY" Lily drew on with a crayon when she was three.

Every year I make a calendar for our family's Christmas gift to all our family members, and this month shows Christmas last year...they just keep growing :(

Last piece of trash pile art

Our tree looks best in close ups like this :)

I also try to take a family picture every Christmas since Lily's first and then line them all up...sigh.  Just to confirm how quickly everyone is growing up.

This has been the girls very favorite nativity since Lily was one...and it's still going strong :)

This year I turned part of a 2x4 into our countdown to Jesus' birth, complete with a "rock" star that moves closer to the manger each day...the girls have been loving that it is ALMOST time for Jesus birth!

Add in lots of palm trees, sunshine, and genuinely cool breezes, for Haiti, it really is starting to look a lot like Christmas!

Today is the huge talent competition (always SO fun) and the soccer championship!  Pictures coming tomorrow...