Drum roll please...... (ps. turn your volume down!!)

We found out!

But I can't say until Christmas! I would really like to surprise the kids that morning. So just 12 more days and and I can tell yaw'll too!

So now the name choosing is beginning and I just don't know where to start. Shawn is so stuck on Otis he has no other options yet. This has been his name choice from day one and I HATE it! So he is really no help. So I look to you! Does anyone know of some really good names? Boy or Girl? It can't be your kids names because most of you are family and I can't steal your names! I love a good family name with meaning. Something that's not weird (ya know like Mississippi!) and not too common.

I would love to hear your guesses on the gender and any name suggestions you have!

** Owen's guess: Boy and he would name him "Goob" (Meet the Robinsons) but a girl would be "Princess".
Calvin's guess: Boy and he would name him "Rico" but a girl would be "Cutie"
Missi's guess: Girl and she would name her "Hannah Montana" but a boy would be "Oliver"

Pay it forward!

My Auntie Lucy told me about this wonderful pay it forward Christmas craft swap. (I don't know if it is limited to a Christmas craft, but I love the idea, so...) It's over at S'wonderfully Ordinary.

Anyway, here's how it goes:

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay it forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it. The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

So, if you're one of the first 3 people to comment, copy and paste the above paragraph on your blog and share the crafty love!....of course, the challenge being, are there even enough people that read this blog to post?

So the race is on! First 3 people to post AND link on their blog that they are also doing the Pay it forward craft swap, I will mail you a Christmas wonderful!

THANKS!!

Grandma's Ornaments

Here are the ornaments I have received since Grandma started this tradition in 1978. I was going to wait and post these after I have found my 2002 ornament. I just can't wait! So when I find it, I will update the post.

I have the BEST Grandma EVER!

Ever since I can remember, my Grandma has made us grandkids (and now great grandkids) a new Christmas ornament. Every year we are just amazed at the work that goes into each one. This year is no exception! Check out my aunt Lucy's blog. I could say the same stuff as her, or I could just link you on over. So check it out. Now I have to finish putting the tree up just so I can put our 4 (or 5) octopi on our tree! I CAN'T wait!!

**UPDATE- Also check out Kristi's blog! She posted the ornaments from years past. AND... I have to mention that my Grandma made 99 of these AND each one took her 8 hours to complete!!

** ANOTHER UPDATE- now, check out Future Girl's blog