News

We received some news almost 3 weeks ago.

 It wasn't happy news.

Scott was suddenly and unexpectedly laid off from work.

 It was quite the shock. Since then we have moved from the shocked stage to the "huh, what now?" stage.

Naughty, naughty girl!

It hasn't been easy,

We whale spout, do you whale spout?

but we have felt God's blessings at every turn!

 We know He will take care of us, and we are trying not to be anxious.

 Life has a funny way of continuing on despite hardships.

Getting ready to sword fight the princess.

I'm glad it does.

His dramatic death by sword :)

And I'm thankful for all our blessings, especially my happy 12 Macklets.

The princess that won

 Yep. I think we're going to be alright!

Christmas Picture Outtakes

The obligatory annual Christmas picture:

That's as good as it gets. (After I replaced Ethan's face with Photoshop!)

So how hard is it to capture a decent picture of 12 kids?

Have a look:

 Nice face, Josh!

 Baby crying, Emily looking thrilled...

Giant open mouths and some coughing...

 Trying to entertain Anna...

You still with us, Seth? 

Ummm, Abby?

 Speaking of Anna,

she totally stole the show!

 Oh, I give up! 

 

Your Happy Spirit

will get you far in life. You are so well liked! (I think it has something to do with those cheeks and dimples!) You have a fun-loving, relaxed way about you. You are genuine and kind. I wish for you happiness, friendship, and love always!

 You are such a special boy and I love you!

Happy 9th Birthday, Ethan!!

We Are Home!

We had an awesome time partying at Disneyland! We are all a bit sad to have to return to reality.

 The princesses were thrilled to enter Fantasyland.

 The weather was great when we got there and the girls loved wearing matching outfits!

We rode Dumbo:

 and gathered for a picture:

 Yeah.

That doesn't always go well.... :)

 We rode on teacups too!

Always a hand for little brother!

 Such fun!

We explored,

and tried to get in everything!

We rode the water rides,

and had so much fun!

We checked out the new Cars Land.

We decided we were impressed!

Everybody enjoyed the fast rides too!

The girls worked on their autograph collections.

And took time to hug their favorites!

The girls in their Minnie outfits got to pose with Minnie Mouse! Yay!

And this little boy got to meet Mickey and Minnie!!

He was thrilled!

It was an amazing vacation! We are so thankful for the time we got to spend together having fun and making memories as a family!

 

Dear Mickey Mouse,

Dear Mickey Mouse, 

 This little boy loves you a lot. A LOT a lot.

But at barely 2 1/2, he's still a little unpredictable with his punches and tackles "love".

We're working on it, Mickey.

But I thought it best to warn you that we are on our way, so:

 If you see him coming, ready yourself! He's all boy after all!

Just remember, I've got your back. Because....... well, I love you too Mickey!

(Look Out Mickey Here I Come shirt: 

Mickey appliqued, letters freezer paper stenciled using Disney font.)

Linked here

More Sewing for Disney

Totally carried away?

Maybe....

Josiah is loving his pirate Mickey Mouse shirt!

And I made a matching one for Ethan!

A Minnie Mouse shirt for Sarah.

 Next I took the scraps from Anna's Minnie Mouse pillowcase dress, cut them into pieces,

 and made a fun Minnie!

 Also for Sarah!

Then I wanted to make some Minnie Mouse outfits for the little girls, but I couldn't find any girl's short sleeved shirts, so I bought these:

 clearance men's shirts from the Gap.

 I cut them WAY down and lettuce-edged the bottom and sleeves. Decorated the shirts and made matching skirts based on this idea!

For my totally uncooperative model, I made a little Minnie Mouse peasant dress!

And each girl has a Minnie Mouse hair pretty, also from here.

Phew!

Now I can pack! 

Linked Up:

Shwin & Shwin