Thanksgiving is gone and now onto Christmas...

We are back home after a few days in Spokane to spend Thanksgiving with Grandma and Grandpa Liptack. We also were able to celebrate Gigi's 91st birthday. She is such an amazing woman and I hope I look as good as she does when I am in my 90's.

We actually had two Thanksgiving celebrations this year. The Friday before the holiday we spent it with my family so we could enjoy Turkey day with them before we all traveled to different parts of the country. It was such a surprise to see my cousin ,Mike, who flew in from Austin Texas. What a treat for us and for his mother, my Auntie "Soup";)

My dad getting ready to cut up the gobble, gobble...

I think was a little too excited about it though....

My Auntie Sue and grandma...

My cousin Mike with Gran Gran...
No surprises here, Connor and Joe were playing on the computer....
Kim, Stephen and the kids pose for the camera....
We even had time to take the posed Thanksgiving family picture....

With all the grandchildren in one spot my parents were able to get a picture for their Christmas cards....

Emma was having so much fun taking pictures that I was able to pick up a cute little Disney digital camera for her in Spokane to give at Christmas....my little "fellow foto friend".......

Now it is time to pack up the pilgrims and start trimming the tree.....Yeah, it's Christmas!!!!

Creative Happenings.....

Go look here to see what I have been up to:) So much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lots to share...

Lots of happenings in the past couple of weeks....

Hailey's cheer team entered their first cheer competition two weekends ago and did an amazing job!!! They came up with their routine and stunts in about 2 weeks time and then placed 1st in their category! We were so proud of them!!!

That same weekend I hosted a girls weekend for some of my bestest girlfriends that I have been friends with since 7th grade. Julie flew in from Juneau and then Inger, Shauni, Terri and I got to hang with her for a whole weekend! It was so great to relive old memories and catch up with everyone! We also had pedicures, went shopping, had a cheese fondue feast and a girls slumber party in the bonus room! Thanks girls for such an amazing weekend!Shauni, Terri, Inger, Julie and MeSlumber Party Time!!!
That same weekend (after the girlfriends left) our small group hosted our annual "Operation Christmas Child" party. After chowing down on pizza we all gathered together to wrap shoe boxes filled with goodies to send to kids all around the world....we always have such an amazing time!

Then.....this past week I worked on finishing a canvas backdrop I was asked to make for Santa pictures at our church's Christmas Bazaar. I decided to do a fireplace scene so I sketched out my ideas on paper then blow it up with my projector and then painted away. In true "Last Minute Lesie" style I painted from 10pm on Thursday evening until 10am on Friday morning to get it done for hanging that evening! Even though I did it all last minute it still turned out pretty good and I was even able to get a cute picture of Mike and I in front of it after we hung it at the church. I can't wait to see the Santa pictures my friend, Cheryl, took with the backdrop! In my garage after I finished the painting a close up of the mantle

all set up at the church

With my "Santa" baby;)

Abigail...two days in a row!

This past Friday I was able to finally meet sweet Abigail who has been home now for about a month already. Between illness and the craziness of life we have not been able to make it work until now. The exciting part was that I got to see her two days in a row! What a treat! Ruth and Abigail came over for a visit on Friday so we could discuss the whole process in China. They spent 4 hours visiting and it seemed like they were here for only minutes. The time just flew by! She is such sweet and happy little girl! Very smart and inquisitive about everything around her. I had so much fun getting to know her and it made me long for our little Grace that much more.

Then on Saturday Ruth, Abigail and her brothers all came back for a visit so Mike, Hailey and Kyla could meet her. We all had such a wonderful visit and I was amazed at how well the big brothers were so attentive to their little sister needs. They are going to make great protectors for her over the next few years. (Brian we missed you...and we hope you are feeling better)

Here is a little slideshow I made of our two visits...ENJOY!!!