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!

Whew! The end of the holidays

So the holiday guests have all gone home and now it's time to do a little out with the old in with the new. I love that part of the new year. Why is it we always feel compelled to clean and organize after the holidays? Is it because everyone has been home for such a long time and the house is a pig sty from everyone's stuff? Or is it because the new year is also a new beginning and a chance to get rid of all that old dirt and unused or unwanted stuff to make room for the newest latest and greatest stuff we have accumulated.

I got all the Christmas decorations put away, the tree is waiting for Bryan to get home to go outside, and most importantly the Wii has been moved to the downstairs TV so the adults have their space back again. I'm guessing we won't be seeing much of the kids anymore as long as they have Wii time available to them!

Now if we could only get the kids back in school I might not go crazy afterall!

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!