Christmas Past

Eric sat me down the other day and explained that I need to post something other than dozens of pictures of Emma, every once in a while.

((Whaaaat??))

He's right, of course. Let's face it, there is a distinct point when pictures of babies, no matter how cute, become redundant. Sooner or later, they get boring. We've seen your kid, already. I know this. I do. I adamantly proclaim this or I used to -- that every. baby. gets. boring. 

Besides. Emma. 

Now, I suppose some part of me is cognizant of the fact that this is probably true of Emma, too. You'd think that being around her 23 hours of every day would make me ready to not look at pictures of her. So would I. 

And yet, people. And yet.

But, for the sake of all that is good and sane in the world.

Let's back up a bit, shall we? 

After Christmas, I had several posts lined up. There was the inevitable lull on the internet because everyone was all festive, then we all got back into blogging. 

Except me.

I gave birth. 

So here's one of those posts I was going to share.

Christmas gifts.

Everyone loves 'em.

Let me confess something: I love giving gifts.

This year, I had an especial blast making and picking out gifts.

Here are some of my favorites.

My Dad.

My dad and I have a tradition: every year, I get him a coffee mug. I've done this since I was 11. He has a list, somewhere, categorizing every mug I've given him and the year. I try to pick out a mug that has some significance -- something that will remind him of the year past.

The first mug I gave him was from Kruger National Park in South Africa, where we had just spent one of the best family vacations.

The next year was our last Christmas in Ethiopia, so I got him a handmade Ethiopian mug.

My first year of college, I got him a Hillsdale mug.

And so on.

Last Christmas was my favorite yet:

Niece and Nephew

I crocheted animals for our niece K. and our nephew B.

You thought I gave up the projects after the elephant mobile. But no.

The froggy is B.'s and the bunny is K.'s. But since K. is the older sister, and B. was only a month old, I think she claimed both of them as hers.