We made 2 wooden trees this year. One for Jeremy’s parents and one for mine. Jeremy drilled the holes to fit very tightly so each tree layer could be moved up or down as desired. He also designed the based. The kids insisted on a star at the top so that was added last minute. Asa made most of the red, white, and green suckers. I was in a hurry to get them in the mail so I didn’t fill the trees with suckers before taking the pictures.
Asa and I made 10 boats for Christmas. My mom bought them from him for her grandchildren. He drew the design on the wood, I cut them on the band saw, he sanded them. Then Jeremy helped him drill the holes and he glued the top part.
I helped paint them.
Time to make masts. First I cut out the pattern. It took a bit to work out, but this is the shape that worked the best.
Then I serged them.
Finally I top stitched around the sail.
Assembly time.
Time to pack them up and mail them off.
We don’t usually do a typical Christmas but this year we did. We got a marbles and block game.
Legos
10 Days in Europe Game
I made Ephraim a stuffed animal and Gin and Asa picked out a jumping dog for him.
The Guthrie’s (our neighbors) brought over some oranges and gingerbread sleigh kits so the kids put those together.
moccasin shoe kits
My mom sends us boxes full of fruit snacks and other treasures often but she sent Frozen along with a singing Frozen stuffed snowman along with money to purchase a few other Christmas surprises. 
Jeremy’s parents sent us clothes for the children and money to purchase gifts with. We opened the gifts the day they came in the mail. Like we could wait! It’s tradition!
Virginia wanted a grand cake for her birthday this year. She spent hours looking on line for ideas and then designing her cake. She prepared 4 different cake mixes the day before her birthday and then on her birthday she put it together and decorated it.
Ginny made me this awesome birthday cake. It looked amazing until it started to fall apart. I hurried and took some pictures before it went any further. So sad.
Jewelboxcreek 