Count-down to Christmas

We have been doing lots of things to enjoy the holiday season:
Like cheering for Grandpa (or Puh-grah as Andrew calls him) as he repairs lights.

Daddy gave Andrew his George doll Christmas present early because he couldn't stand it. George hasn't left our side in 2 weeks.


We brought Sophie and Lindsey over to Grandma's to see the train set.








Nana gave Andrew and Papa an early present.

We surprised Aunt Cayli and went with Mr. Mickey to pick her up at the airport.


The baggage claim area was particularly hilarious:

He got a camping set from Ms Susie, which he uses under the table in his "tent"





Went on a big hike with the boys to Purchase Knob.

Had a Christmas party with the Rollins' and the kids formed a new band:








Andrew wrapped Daddy's present, with mainly bows:

More cookies? Seriously?

Oh yes. There are 20-some-odd Fleenors coming to Lisa's on the 29th and we need to be prepared.

Last Saturday was the 2012 Annual Fleenor Sugar Cookie Extravaganza!









Roughly 300 cookies in all.

Woah.

Last year, Andrew got to help Aunt Emmy some:



This year he was involved in every step, from needing:

To rolling:

To punching out the shapes:

Tiny finger prints in baked cookies:


He even got to ice some. (We needed all the help we could get)

Mmmm, the reward for all that work:

What Tranthams Do

Last week, Papa and I decided to pull Granny's old loom out of the attic of his shop to look at it for a project I was doing at church. We climbed up in the attic. There were all kinds of things from the past, his and mine. His old army trunk, boxes of "Gooney Birds," my childhood rocking chair, the lighthouse I made in the 4th grade. We found a box of toys us grandkids played with and we pulled several of them down for Andrew.
Finally we got to the back of the attic and found the loom. It was warped up with white and orange yarn, and had a little bit of weaving hanging on to the teeth.
We helped each other get it down the steps of the attic to the shop floor and blew off the dust and attic dirt. And that is when it occurred to me: in that moment, my past was actively intersecting my present. We aren't sure when Granny bought the loom or what she was making that she left strung up, sure she would get back to it. But there it was, there she was, with us on the floor of the shop.












After taking some pictures for reference, we went inside to try to figure out how to work the thing. Through the wonders of YouTube, we decided it was a rigid heddle loom (for those who are interested), and realized it was missing a piece. It was too fun to pass up. We decided to get it working.








When I came back a few days later, Papa had it all fixed up and ready for the yarn I brought. We warped it up together (with some, um, discussion) and then it was time to weave.
Papa helped me load it in my trunk. I set it up in my living room when I got home, trying to come up with a good reason to give Josh for bringing more craft gear in the form of furniture into our tiny house. Then I started weaving.
Back and forth, up and down, the red fabric started to grow. And then it happened again: my past and my present were together in that moment. There was Granny, who had woven on that very loom. There was Papa, who repaired it and made new weaving tools for me. And there I was, making something myself.
Whether it's a psaltery, a song, or a sweater, making things is what Tranthams do. Making things is what I do.




Thanks for doing this with me, Papa. I love that I am like you.
Love you,
Emily

Cookies and Parties

Andrew helped Grandma and I make rum balls. The powdered sugar was his favorite part.





With Nana we made a gum drop tree.

Cheese!


My little boy





For those of you who don't know, we are remodeling a house to move into in February. Very excited!


All the construction is starting to work it's way into his play time.

We went to Charlotte for the Bartholomew family Christmas party and had a wonderful time.

Sara got to try on the gorgeous wedding dress Aunt Lisa is making.


What, can you not see her? Oh yeah, that's a secret. :) the photographer is pretty cute...