The finished product...

Here is the finished product of our glass blowing adventure. The red didn't show up very well in Bryan's ornament, but overall they are beautiful! The kids are going back today with Grandma & Grandpa to make more. Can't wait to see how theirs turn out!

Bryan's ornament

My ornament

Blowing Glass

Saturday we went and made our own blown glass ornaments, which was a blast! The hardest part I think was picking from the hundreds of color choices! It was hard to narrow it down, but we did. Bryan picked a red, green and white mixture and the kids and I picked a turquoise, lime green and pink mix for the 2nd one. I got to make one of the ornaments while Gabi took pictures, and Nick did the other one.

The temperature in the fire where the melted glass is was somewhere around 12oo degrees I think he said.

Here he is showing me how to mix the colors into the hot glass.

Then you stick it back into the fire to melt the glass pieces together into the base.

After the colors are mixed in you blow gently to make the ball. You blow really really lightly, like blowing out a candle. I thought you would have had to blow harder, but nope. Barely at all.

Here is the finished product when he puts the curly top on it to hang it from. It's still extremely hot so you can't see the final colors much at all. I'll post the finished products once we get them home.

Then it was Nick's turn.

Spinning, spinning, spinning

Adding some color

Mixing the colors together

And blowing to make it round.

I saw a blurb about making these on the news one morning, and called that day to make an appointment. The guy told us that was the first time they had ever opened it up to the public before, and the received 300 calls the first day! It was crowded there, but not too much. The wait wasn't too bad and once you were making your ornaments it seemed to go really fast. It was really a great experience and we've already decided we want to go back next year and do it again!

Flying bugs

 

So we had Christmas part 2 on Sunday with Bryan's Dad and Step-mom. They brought up the presents from family Christmas we weren't able to get to this year because of the snow. We got some pretty cool presents including a copper firepit for the back deck which I have always wanted! Gabi got a pink chair for her room that she has been wanting for a long time and Nick got lots of Tech Deck mini skateboards he wanted and a remote control helicopter that is pretty cool. In fact Bryan liked it so much he wanted me to go out and get him his own helicopter to fly with Nick. But Bryan wasn't the only one interested in it. Ginger our bird catching cat took an interest in the helicopter as well. I think she was amazed we brought a flying bug into the house for her entertainment. 

     

 

Merry Christmas

Wow! What a Christmas we had! We had a lot of fun and it was all over too early as usual! The kids finally got that Wii they have been wanting FOREVER! We sent them on a treasure hunt to find it. Took quite a bit of time for them to finish it, but it was all worth it in the end they think. We even got to eat breakfast before they found the prize! Bryan liked watching them so much he thinks we need to do that more often, so I suggested his birthday presents from now on will be done "Treasure Hunt" style.

Everyone got really cool stuff for Christmas. Both kids got litle MP3 players and video rocker chairs which they really love. Gabi also got some games for her DS as well as Littlest Pet Shop stuff, and a whole new wardrobe I think! Nick got his own set of tools (So he won't have to keep stealing Bryan's) and some Legos as well as games for his DS. Bryan got a HD radio as well as some clothes and a digital picture frame. Me, I got some new frying pans, a Minnie Mouse watch, Tinkerbell necklace, clothes and some speakers for my iPod.

The Wii was a family gift for all of us, and it is a blast to play. Rayman 2 is the funniest game I have ever seen! We all love that one! The kids also got Outdoor Adventure which should get them into shape in no time. And we all liked playing Carnival Games.

Merry Christmas to all!

It is Christmas Eve, the great thaw has begun and we are at home watching Christmas movies, wrapping those last presents and getting ready for dinner. Cheese fondue tonight! Something a little different but fun just the same. Unfortunately pretty much all the area churches have canceled their Christmas Eve services. Would have been nice to get out for a candlelight service, but with the roads the way they are and darkness coming, maybe it's not such a good idea after all.

I think we are finally supposed to stay above freezing tonight so our beautiful snow is starting to melt. I guess I'm ready for it to go away just so everything opens again and it's easier to drive, but it sure is beautiful to look at out my windows!

So we are looking forward to Santa's visit tonight. The kids have decorated cookies for him and worked on their Gingerbread house as well. The stockings are hung, the presents are wrapped, now we just have to tuck the kids into bed and then wait for the man in the red suit to arrive. Merry Christmas to everyone! Hope it's happy and full of family, love and togetherness.
Love to you all!

Baking time!

We are going to be baking cookies today. We are making Rice Krispie treats, chocolate chip cookies, fudge, and candy cane cookies. We have a friend coming over to help too so it should be fun!

Then tomorrow the temperature is supposed to drop dramatically and we actually are supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow tomorrow! Then arctic temperatures all next week. We're hoping for the snow... as long as it doesn't stick around too long!

On another note, my brother made it up yesterday on his treck to the wild northern country above us. It's always a pleasure to see him, and I'm so thankful to have him around and willing to create a relationship with his niece and nephew. It brings back happy memories to watch him pummel the kids when they come at him, similar to how Jeff used to pummel us when we were younger. They so look forward to his visits, and playing scrabble with him, it's fun to see. Makes the heart happy. He's off again today and then will be back again on Monday for another round. Maybe he'll be able to beat Nick then...

Christmas Trees

So we finally got the tree decorated last night! It looks so pretty! I was able to get my new "modern angel" Tinkerbell on the top of the tree finally! I love looking at the Christmas tree and decorating it. Brings back so many memories throughout the years. Pulling out all the special ornaments and remembering when we got each one, looking at the photo ornaments of the kids growing up through the years, and talking with them about their activities and interests they have had that are reflected in their yearly ornaments. It's hard deciding what ornaments go on and which don't make it this year. I think we need a bigger house so we can have a bigger tree to fit ALL the ornaments! LOL

So here's the breakdown of ornament memories: Too many dog ornaments to count, all of which are Gabi's from her dog obsession years. Now we are working on the kitty collection. There are the sports ornaments from the different activities they have done: 2 Karate bears, a soccer boy, Ballerina Minnie Mouse, Dan's Comp Bicycle store, Fishing bear, Bob the Builder. And the places we have gone: Jamaica, Seattle, Disneyland, Disney World, and of course Great Wolf Lodge for this year. Of course you can't forget my Tinkerbell ornaments and my Snow Baby collection,  as well as our other Disney ornaments that make the tree complete. 

Yes, the tree is full of memories and the fun we have had throughout the years. The kids look forward to remember the ornaments, looking for their favorites and the memories as much as I do I think. Then they will spend the next few days rearranging everything trying to make sure their favorites have center stage. 

I can't imagine having one of those trees they show on all the decorating shows. The "Theme trees". While they are very beautiful to look at they seem so cold and impersonal to me. I like looking at our hodge podge collection and remembering the story behind every single ornament. Remembering the past, honoring the present and looking towards the future.

And no, there will be no tinsel on my tree! None thrown or individually placed either! A paper chain might make it on, if we can find the time to make one!

So, on that note, if anyone knows where I can find some bicycle ornaments please let me know. Still need to get the kids their ornaments for 2008!