Christmas with the Chase's

We had Christmas twice this year as we were at the reunion on Christmas day and then when we got home we had gifts to open from each other. Our Christmas 2009 was the beginning of a new tradition in our home. We had no money to spend on gifts that year but still wanted to give each other gifts. We decided that we would each draw a name and make a gift for the person we had gotten. Making a gift has become something that we look forward to. It takes a little bit more thought and a lot more time but produces an excitement that I don't think could come in any other way. It has been amazing to see the thought that has gone into each gift as well as the worry, "Will they like what I have done?". It is also fun to watch as the gift is completed and the waiting begins for the receiver to open the present. Such anticipation for Christmas morning to arrive! Here are the gifts that were made this year.

I made Chris a flannel blanket. I had not finished it completely by that morning but he was able to open what I did have done and has now enjoyed curling up in it when we watch a movie. I love it because the prints are all so Chris. They all have to do with hunting, the outdoors, and camo. I think he liked it too!



Chris was pretty tricky with my gift. He told me that he was entering a photo contest at work and wanted my "opinion" as to which prints he should submit. I gave him a list of twelve of my favorite shots that he had taken and then would ask him every now and then if he had heard back about the contest. Come to find out, he put together a calendar for me and used those pictures that I had chosen...there really was not a contest after all. Tricky, tricky!! I love the calendar. With each month he has put a one lined phrase to match the picture that serve as motivation for me. He is so awesome and I love how he loves me!



Cody had Zach this year and really struggled with what to make Zach. He finally decided to make him a shirt with his high school name and logo on it. It turned out so nice and Zach was excited to have a new shirt to wear to school. (I loved it too because it was one more thing to help push school pride and spirit. Not that Zach is lacking, he just still really misses his school is Arizona.) And those are goggles on Zach's face. What a fun person he is!



Zach did such a good job with Blake's gift. He made him a fleece pullover and they are also Blake's school colors. All I can say is that Blake was totally surprised and happy with what he had been given. As the mom, I was impressed with Zach's desire to tackle using a sewing pattern and the sewing machine. He did a great job and needed very little assistance.




Erin had Cody and made him this cool box to store his treasures in. We wandered Hobby Lobby for a long time in search of an idea of something we could do for Cody. Finally we stumbled upon this box and were excited as we started brainstorming ways to make it personalized for him. Erin did the whole thing by herself and did a fantabulous job! She also put a cake mix and pudding mix inside the box with the promise that she would make Cody his favorite dessert, Boston Creme Pie. Cody was stoked!

Macie had Erin and so for her project it required a little bit more of my help. She new exactly what she wanted to do for Erin which was to make her an apron. It was so much fun going to the fabric store together to pick out the fabric. I really wondered how to involve Macie so that she felt that indeed she had made the gift. I traced the lines on the fabric and had her cut it out. She pushed the pedal on the sewing machine while I guided the fabric (boy was that sometimes pretty nerve racking!) and she also helped pin and line things up. It was at times pretty crazy but I am so glad that I let her help so much and she was so excited for Erin to see what she had made. I think Erin's expression pretty much says, "I love it!"

Blake had Macie and he too wanted to make an apron for her. It was cute taking Blake to look for the fabric. It was a bit too overwhelming with all the choices they had to offer and quite honestly, he's a boy and really doesn't care about cutesy things. After looking around a bit he finally just looked at me and said, "Mom, please pick out something girly!" I showed him several choices that would work well together and let him make the final selection. He actually was the one who thought to put cute buttons on and spent a good amount of time trying to decide which style to go with. He was able to do more of the hands on with the sewing machine and did a super job with sewing his first project. When it was finished, he was very happy with what he had done. Macie loved it and loves being able to wear it in the kitchen when she helps me with the cooking.

I thought I would throw one in of our dog, Lucy. We were so excited to get home and see her happy to see us. She is a very cute and loving dog.