Holiday Skirts

Our holiday pettiskirts are in!

Check out the CC blog for more pictures and info on sizing!

AND don't forget to enter our drawing to win a FREE pettiskirt!

Christmas Stockings

My family as of yet has no Christmas stockings. Every year I intend to get some, but every year something has come up and I just haven't gotten around to it.

But this year, Aiva is three. If I am going to establish traditions, I need to start now.

So I went on a digital hunt for ideas, and these are my inspiration:

Going for a cohesive look that isn't too matchy-matchy.

I went to Hobby Lobby tonight and got all stocked up on fabric, ribbon, and some fun embelishments. Oooh, I can't wait to get started! I'll post the final product when they're done.

Holiday Pettiskirts and a Giveaway!

Exciting news for Cole Couture:

We have ordered some new pettiskirts in colors just for the holidays! And . . . they are going to be available in more than one size. Perfect for holiday family photos!!

We're not expecting them for the next couple of weeks, but for more information on what these colors are, and for information on how to pre-order, please visit the Cole Couture blog - you can click on our button on the sidebar.

Also, visit Cole Couture to find out how to enter in a drawing for a free giveaway of one of these gorgeous holiday skirts!!! :)

The Christmas Shoes

My hubby is somewhat of a Christmas Elf. Not quite to the caliber of Buddy the Elf, but a Christmas Elf nonetheless. Maybe it's something to do with serving a 2-year mission in the Philippines, where Christmas is celebrated from about September on. At any rate, at our house, Christmas music is playing as soon as FM 100.3 airs it. As I am writing this, I am listening to "Jingle Bell Rock." Always swore I'd never be one of those people, but oh well. It's actually one thing I love about Mike - he likes to be happy, and Christmas music makes him happy, so he isn't ashamed to listen to it earlier than most.

So this morning we were listening to FM 100.3 while we ate our breakfast, and we started talking about a particular Christmas song: The Christmas Shoes. Initially, when this song was released 8 or so years ago, I thought, "Oh, what a touching song! That poor little boy! What a nice man, to help him out!" As time has gone on, the thought has occurred to me . . . this is a FAKE STORY. So then a mental image of Bob Carlisle writing this song (or whoever actually wrote it) worked it's way into my mind . . .

"I want to write a song that will really make people want to cry. I mean, I want people bawling their eyes out, with tears streaming down their faces as they drive down the interstate in a winter storm. Let's see . . . oh, I got it! How about a poor boy whose mom is dying at Christmas time. Oh yeah, this is good stuff . . . "

Also - come on! Who wouldn't help this poor boy? I'm pretty sure that even Mr. Scrooge would oblige. Here's this little boy, "Sir, my mommy always made Christmas good at our house, but most years she went without. All she wants is to to look beautiful for Jesus! What will I do, sir? Oh, what will I do?!?!" Don't get me wrong - it is a great message, and in the spirit of the season. If is a real story, correct me! If this is a real story, I will break out my hanky right now! But I just can't get over the image of the song-writer sitting there intentionally writing a tear-jerker.

If you love this song, I'm sorry. I think it is a beautiful song with a great message that we really do need reminding of. Mike and I just have to laugh now whenever we hear the song. Has anyone else out there heard it, and just had to giggle a little bit?

Now a song that I love is playing: O Holy Night. Man can Mariah Carey sing! Has anyone else been listening to Christmas music since the day after Halloween???

HATS!!

My favorite winter hat is getting very old and nasty, so I set out on a quest to find the perfect crochet hat pattern. I found one I liked, and I've changed it multiple times, so it's exactly what I wanted!

I've had so many people comment on my hat, that Cole Couture is now going to start selling them! Below are a few photos.

Check out the Cole Couture blog to see all of the colors and styles are available. (You can click on our button on the sidebar - it's a direct link! :)

(In children's size)

X-tra slouchy

My personal fave!!

There are more options on the owl hat, too - including little boy hats!

Also, Cole Couture is now accepting PayPal!!

Aiva's Hair

Aiva has the worst hair.

The. Worst.

It is neither curly, nor straight, and never looks cute down. Not in any way, shape, or form.

It will not stay parted, unless in pigtails, because she has such a strong forward growth. If I try to comb it down into a part, it immediately starts working its way back to straight forward. It is forever falling right into her face, from her bangs, all the way back to the crown of her head. Straight. Into. Her. Face.

She, like her father, has what I call "chia pet" hair. It grows straight out, will not lay nice and flat against the head. Mike, luckily, can just keep it short. So what's a little girl to do???

There are calics everywhere.

I hope that all of this translates into nice, voluptuous volume as she gets older. In the meantime, please no one judge me because my daughter ALWAYS looks like a raggamuffin. I promise, I do try to do her hair. But the look only ever lasts about 20 minutes. Hats are our best friends. I keep about 2 or 3 in the car at all times for her.

I've tried hairspray, flattening irons, round-brushing, mousse, gel. The look never lasts more than an hour.

Sigh.

Happy Halloween!

This year I cheated.

I stole these pictures from my sister-in-law's blog, as I neglected to take my camera along for trick-or-treating. Thanks, Sarah!

We had a blast, even in the pouring rain!

This photo's been dubbed "Halloween Magic". A sunset, a rainbow, and kids and their daddies trick-or-treating in the rain. Beautiful!

Emma and I braving the rain

Aiva (dressed up under her coat as Pinkalicious!) and her cousins Courtney, Jake, and Ty

Emma (a little monster) and Court

Our beautiful Halloween rainbow!

If Only

If only Aiva could stay this way forever.

Yesterday she brought out our nursery manual that we use for Family Home Evening, and asked me to come sit with her.

She turned to a lesson in the book about baptism and said, "Teach me, Mommy."

How much easier would life be if we could all stay so teachable?

If only.