American Girl Doll Skirt and Matching Shirt

 Skirt

 

 Shirt with added sleeves

 

 Headband (Always important to accessorize!)

 

 Complete outfit

 

The "before" dress

 

Here is another American Girl Doll Outfit that I made out of a baby outfit I received when Preslyn was a baby.  I made sure to take a picture of the dress before cutting it up so I could compare the finished project. I was pretty proud of my sewing skills!  First, I cut the skirt off the top part and created a separate skirt and shirt.  I altered the top to make it more fitting and added sleeves from the extra fabric from the skirt. I added elastic to the skirt and made a headband with some ribbon and an extra flowers off the skirt.  Pretty impressive, huh?  Not bad for an amateur sewer!

Bowling!!!

Broyden, Aaron, and Uncle Rett
Aaron getting ready to bowl

It's Demarie's turn!

Brynna, Preslyn, and Broyden

On our trip to Utah we went bowling with Rett, Susie, and Brynna. We had a lot of fun. It was great to talk with them and the kids loved spending time with Brynna, especially Preslyn. Isn't it funny that there is only a few months between them yet Brynna is so much taller than Boo! I love this picture!

Moon Family Christmas Party

Me on the paino with Kailey singing

Aunt Susie and Myan

Aunt Daisy and Kaija

Leilani
Aunt Susie and Brynna

Everyone watching the program

Uncle Blaine and kids putting candy canes on the tree

Aunt Susie and Jalia

I was in charge of the Moon family Christmas party this year. We met at the church the week after Christmas when we came up to Utah to visit. We had a yummy dinner of ham, potatoes, jello, beans, and Texas Sheet Cake. Then we did a Christmas program about the different Christmas decorations and how they symbolize Jesus Christ. Everyone had some sort of part in the program. Many family members sang or did piano solos or duets and each family took turns putting decorations on the tree. Afterwards, a few of the grandkids (Hallie and Alyssa) surprised the family with an awesome gymanstic dance routine. We have pretty talented family! It was a fun evening to be around family!

A Fun Place to Sleep!

Having three American girl dolls in the house has posed a problem... where do they sleep? We fashioned this sleeping bag from a baby blanket and they had a fun sleep over...
...then we visited Grandma and Grandpa Moon in Utah after a few days after Christmas. They surprised us with a bed for each of the dolls and a rag blanket that matches the girl's quilts at home!

Grandma also made each doll a jacket for the cold weather up in Utah!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa! The beds are amazing (Grandpa's woodworking skills) and the blankets and jackets are adorable (Grandma's sewing skills)! Preslyn and Demarie felt like the luckiest girls in the world! We also enjoyed a cute book for Broyden, some beautiful pottery from Poland and a beautiful hand-carved Nativity set from Poland. These are going to be some neat heirlooms for our family. It is so nice to be able to enjoy Grandma and Grandpa home from their mission.

Church on Christmas Day!

Handsome Broyden in his holiday suit
The girls in their matching Christmas dresses

The best thing about Christmas this year is that it fell on a Sunday! There is something extra special about going to church on the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior. About three weeks ago, I was approached by the ward choir director. He stated that the ward pianist was going to have surgery on her eyes and would not be ready to play by Christmas Sunday and asked if I would be willing to accompany the choir. I said I would. I practiced like crazy trying to learn 37 page of music! And it was technical stuff too...Beebee arrangements! It turned out pretty good. I wish I would have had more time to practice, but Heavenly Father blessed me enough to help me get through the songs without too many mistakes! I am so grateful for the Savior Jesus Christ, for his birth and sacrifice for us!

What did Santa bring???

Looks like Santa knew Broyden needed more boy toys! He is always begging Aaron to play ball with him and is so active. He will also sometimes use Demarie and Preslyn's girl toys as dinosaurs and be aggressive with them. Plus, he is always riding around on the pink and purple tricycle. Time for some "manly" wheels!
Demarie has been asking for the American Girl doll Ruthie. I pulled her aside Christmas Eve and told her that I hoped she wouldn't be disappointed if Santa didn't bring her Ruthie. Santa is on a budget and these dolls are expensive! Plus, she is already lucky enough to have one. We were all very surprised Christmas morning to see that Santa had filled this little girl's "wish list."

For several months, Preslyn has been hoping that Santa would bring her Kit. She would sit on the couch for hours looking at pictures of her in the American Girl doll magazine. Rarely does Preslyn show a true "passion" for something so I knew Kit must be pretty special to her. One day, she asked me if she could have Kit. I told her that American girl dolls are for girls that can take care of their dolls really good. They don't leave their dolls laying around naked or throw them on the ground and they are very very careful when they comb their doll's hair. Preslyn ran out of the room and came back awhile later holding one of her dolls and the doll's clothes. "Mom! I found my doll's clothes! We need to put them on her so she won't be naked! I love her so much and am going to take really good care of her!" She really stepped things up! Looks like Santa decided she was responsible enough to take care of such a special doll!

Demarie and Preslyn were so excited to meet their new American Girl dolls! In the American Girl doll magazine and books, Kit and Ruthie are best friends. Already I can tell that Demarie and Preslyn are going to enjoy many hours together playing with their new dolls. Demarie and Preslyn are so lucky to have each other as sisters. I hope they can grow up to be best friends too!

Demarie and Ruthie

Preslyn and Kit

Broyden was in heaven with his new basketball hoop!

He is a natural, just like his daddy!

THANK YOU SANTA!!!

Christmas Eve 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011
Our Christmas Eve celebration started with a delicious dinner of tortellini, peas, and homemade rolls!

After dinner, we enjoyed our annual production of The Nativity

Beautiful Mary with Baby Jesus

The adorable Shepherd with his little lamb

And the beaming Angels! It was fun to have two this year!

The Spirit was in our home as we pondered on the birth of Christ. As I think back on 2011, I am humbled by how much Heavenly Father has blessed me. One of my greatest blessings is my wonderful family and the gospel of Jesus Christ! Merry Christmas!