Gabbi, Hunter, and special occasions

Alrighty might as well start here.  I'm a little bit crafty.  Have I mentioned that?!  ha.
And so over the years, any new hobby I get into typically gets represented in the way of new ornaments on our Christmas tree!  For instance the year I started beading!

The candy cane is Ellie's project from last year.  Not bad patterning for a four year old if I do say so myself.

and then there's the issue of representing every kid in my life:

This is Gabbi's pile.  I have photos, some of her handmade things and even ornaments which I just feel represent her.

The ornament with Paula, above, is a new one I made this year.  Our tree is so dang tall, it really needs some larger ornaments as highlights to show up from across the room.  This one is about 6" across.

If you are a regular mojoy reader you might remember that I started a new tradition with my family at Thanksgiving this year.  We painted ornaments.  I painted the Gabbi Lou snowman on that day.  The back is inscribed with a love note from me to her.

This cute little picture is an outtake from this year's Christmas card photo session with Becky and Misti, at Focus Photography, and captures the sweetness of my baby girl.

And below, we have a similar decoupaged ornament as the one above with Paula, done in 2010.  Look at that angel baby!

You know how when you are getting out your Christmas stuff, you are kind of looking for a few special ones to show up while you are unwrapping? Well, Gabbi's snowflake is such ornament!

I always brag on Ellie's artwork and creativity, but this particular ornament that we painted last year.  Gabbi was three, holds a special place in my heart. I remember us all sitting at the art table, and Gabbi was being totally lapped as Ellie and her friends made ornament after ornament.  Gabbi couldn't care less.  She laboriously painted layer after layer after layer until finally she pushed herself back from the table with an, "I'm done"! 

Now when I look closely at this ornament, I see the layers and how she knew it was "perfect" to her.  And it is really so intricate.  It's also very textural.  Goooo, Gabbi!  Who knows?  You may end up being my little abstract artist!

This is Gabbi's handprint Santa that she is made at Miss Donna's this year.  It is one of those ornaments that you reallllllly secure on the tree, as it is totally irreplaceable!

As I was undoing the tree, I realized that Miss Gabbi Girl is a little bit underrepresented on our tree. (as are a few others).  We'll be making up for that next year for sho!

Next up:  Hunter Bunter

Ahhhh, the firstborn!  The reason I moved back to West Monroe to work.  I couldn't stand being away from him when I was working in Shreveport.  So, you'll understand that he has LOTS of photos on my tree!

Look at that one in the 2004 above.  That was when he ws entertaining us in a hotel in Memphis by slicking his hair back!  And below... sitting in his overalls on a curb at a local park.  I believe he was 3 years old. 

Now, he's a senior!  Hunter always had a sweet smile and a lovable disposition.  He still does.

This is the spring before Jake's bone marrow transplant.  Jake would die in the fall. Hunter was such a good and caring big brother!

Like all the others, Hunter fell prey to my bigtime scrapboooking phase in 2005.  During Jake's illness, I was crazed for memory keeping!

Something I am STILL very glad happened to me!  I have so many good memories from that time.  This picture of Hunter was on our final trip to the beach with Jake.

Aha. Yet another representation of the beading stage.  And again, candy canes by Ellie Sue.

Of course, like any tree we have our "filler" ornaments.  These are the ones that we stick on the back of the tree or deeper in the branches.  They are the ones that for whatever reason, I failed to write from whom they came or from what event I secured them.  And because of that, their importance shifts to the low rung on my ornamental ladder!

But there is this one... it is from Ray and Denise Lee.  In 1997.  I have no idea who they are.  Do you?  I think I might have gotten this one from my Nannie's collection, as I was trying to salvage any I could from her tree.  It was actually the one thing I wanted when she died... her ornaments.  I think I got three.  But that's another story for another time. One of those three is this one.  Hey, anyone know the Lees?  I'd love to meet them.

For all you non-Louisianians, this is an oyster shell! 

And then there are the ornaments which are from events... like a church "fall retreat", "Bunco party", "sunday School party" or old patients.

Miss Mattie often gave me an ornament or a CHristmas decoration and I think of her annually when I am setting up the tree.

I highly recommend writing the info regarding the ornament/ decoration on the back of the treat.

Belive it or not, I can still remember this one from Cindy from a Bunco party about 10 years ago!

Are you sick of my ornaments yet?  Well too bad for YOU!  Because we have lots and lots more!!  Yep! All week long.  Ready?   Next up... the dogs we've known and loved!

MO