Grandchildren

I haven't made anything this week so I will just post some photos of my Grandchildren, the top four are of the boys in South Africa, we haven't seen them in the flesh (only rarely on Skype) for two and a half years, we miss them terribly. These photos were taken today while they were all out on a hike with some friends, they walked to a wonderful water fall where the children played in the river, the weather is very hot and humid there at the moment. We know they will enjoy a happy Christmas, spending the day with friends from church. I should add, if you are wondering what Jesse is doing in the pink tub.....they don't have running hot water and so on hot days he takes the tub and sits in it under the overflowing water tanks which collect rain water :)

The rest of the family will be with us for Christmas, below are some of the photos their Mum has taken this week. I am so grateful for technology which meanswe can see photos of the regularly and keep up with activities that they are doing.

                        

                       

getting ready

So they went chopped down their Christmas tree then sorted through the decorations...I can only imagine the excitement

easy christmas wreath

 the first time I made one of these  Christmas wreaths was years ago. I used red and green Christmas fabric. I decided I would make one for this Christmas, I had lots of satin and voile type fabrics that I have had for a long time. 

First I bought a 16" polystyrene wreath base, then cut up small squares of fabric. These dont have to be exact or the same size. I use a knitting needle to poke the centre of the square into the polystyrene and keep going until the wreath is completely covered except for the back which isn't seen. 

Christmas 2011

We have returned from our Christmas in Devon, having had a lovely time. The cottage we rented was in a beautiful location on an organic farm with sea views and lovely walks to the sea. We spent time with family and friends

This was the sunrise that greeted us some mornings

We spent Christmas day at our daughters house, the boys cooked dinner

Gilby's first Christmas

 The twins playing on Uncle Ben's ipad

 Heading for the beach

Our beautiful daughter in law

Sunrise over the sea

Christmas Greetings

Tomorrow we leave for Christmas in Devon. This year we are looking after my mother and so have rented a cottage not far from our daughter and her family. We will have my mother, youngest son and his wife staying with us and our eldest son will stay with our daughter. 

We will spend Christmas Day at theirs and most of the rest of the week at the cottage. 

We are really looking forward to our stay, the cottage is in the country with sea views and I hope to get to take some photo's. We will miss our eldest daughter and her family  who are spending Christmas where they live in South Africa

I pray that you will all have a happy and peaceful Christmas, experiencing the love of God and celebrating the 'reason for the season'

Christmas Wedding

Yesterday afternoon we went to the wedding of some friends. It was in the pretty village of Aldbury. 

Only official photographs were allowed during the service and it was too cold to stand around outside at the end...so no photo's of the couple. The service was lovely with lots of candles and Christmas carols.

The reception was held in the Greyhound Inn, we were handed hot mulled wine on arrival, followed by a yummy three course meal and mince pies!

A great idea for place names, they are now hanging on our Christmas tree

Christmas Dresses

I managed to get the girls dresses finished. The fabric is a very fine needle cord which I bought from http://www.dotsnstripes.co.uk/index.cfm I am really please with the fabric and it was great to sew with. The dress on the left is for Maggie and the  other one for Primrose. They have different tastes in clothing, Primrose likes the bright pinks and Maggie like blues and is a little more of a tomboy :) Hopefully they will fit and the girls will be happy with them

Getting Ready

If you visit my blog regularly you will know that every now and again I receive requests from my daughters for items to be made for my grandchildren. I have just made Gilby's trousers, I have finished one hat for the twins and am working on another one, same but different coloured buttons and I have cut out the fabric for their dresses, the cord that I am using is below. I have added photos of them going to choose and cut down their tree for Christmas, each year they go to the same place, romp around till they find the perfect tree.

First Christmas Stocking

Gilby requested a patchwork stocking for Christmas. So I used scraps left over from his baby quilt. Joined them together, backed with calico and quilted with the machine. I hope he is happy with it!

Christmas Gifts

Last Christmas I knitted hats for my great nieces and nephews, this year I have crocheted scarves. I have added flowers for the girls and tassels for the boys.

Christmas Fun

Well Christmas has been busy...my husband slipped and cracked some ribs a couple of days before and so all the jobs we would normally share I had to do without him, including the Christmas morning service! Thankfully our neighbour walked the dog until the family arrived and helped out. We still have Preston with us but he will be going to his new home next week sometime. Our youth pastor and his wife are going to have him live with them. He recovered from his illness, we thought it was a slipped disc but on reading up about beagles we discovered that they are prone to a form of meningitis and we think this may be what he had. The only way to know for sure is if he comes down with it again he has a spinal tap and the fluid is tested. I have added some family photo's taken over the Christmas period, the summery ones are taken of our family in South Africa, although there isnt one of Jesse or Cindi. My daughter doesnt have internet at the moment and so I am pinching photos from her friends facebook page

New Year is just a few hours away for us here in the UK, I pray that you will know God's abundant blessings and peace throughout 2011

 Amy and the twins...next baby due in February

 Dominic, Alice & Preston

 Andy & Amy

 Uncle Dom & Primrose

 Stroking the lambs at Occombe Farm, Devon

 Martin & Vashti in SA

Joseph in his super hero cape made by Auntie Amy