So, we've started playing Dirty Santa with my side of the family in an effort to minimize endless Christmas shopping and pare down expenses for everyone. We set the limit at $50 and each person brings a gender specific gift. When it comes time to exchange, we have a ladies' pile and gentlemen's pile, with lots of stealing and deal-making before everyone walks away with a gift. Well, when I saw this
tutorial for an adorable insulated casserole carrier, I knew exactly what my gift would be.
Turned out pretty cute, right? That is if you kinda squint when you look at it so you can't see how crooked my sewing is! I even included the spoon, casserole dish, and coordinated potholder.
But here's the deal... this "little" project turned into my own personal sewing nightmare. Of course I waited to late to start it, so I was sewing in a hurry... less than ideal for my limited skills. Then the tension on my machine got all messed up. I just don't know HOW that happened?! So I had to resort to using my mom's machine at the eleventh hour. I then proceeded to make a ridiculous amount of silly mistakes, like sewing shut all sides of the fabric before flipping it right-side out, and sewing like sides of velcro together so there was no sticking. Ahhh! I literally wanted to pull. out. my. hair! Thankfully mom was on hand to assist with some of the fallout. And she so patiently reminded me of some remedial sewing lessons, like "measure twice, cut once." Whoops, can't believe I forgot that one!
Otherwise, the tutorial was fairly easy to follow, and I'm sure many of my talented seamstress friends would have no problem whipping one of these babies up in no time. I, on the other hand, will be hanging up my sewing hat for a little while, at least long enough to attempt to forget the trauma and sweaty palms this project induced. Congrats, Grandma on taking home this one-of-a-kind casserole carrier! Hope you enjoy it!!!
Somehow this little guy is already 3 years old! He looks as confused as we are as to how that happened. Anyway, to celebrate we headed over to the base bowling alley on the 31st while our family was still in town. 
We got the full cosmic experience!
With an added dinosaur twist, because obviously dinosaurs and bowling are a great combination.
Readying the lanes...
Will requested his very own dinosaur cake. Which, I was happy to oblige by sticking some of his dinosaur figures into a Cold Stone Creamery cookie-dough ice cream cake. Yum!
Loving the ramp and gutter guards! There never was such a competitive sport.
He was pretty good at hefting his 6lb yellow ball.
Here's the group (from behind).
The best things about cosmic bowling are the music and lights. Dance party!
A little dizzying maybe?!
How many pins this time??
Back to the dancing... and the cutest little bowling shoes ever.
Mimi gets a strike!
Followed by Grandma, Pappy, myself, GrandBrad, and Aaron. We were on a roll (and we weren't using bumpers or gutter guards)!
Hannah taking a turn with those purty balls. 
So glad we could celebrate with our Pennsylvania family.
Time for some dino fun.
Will was starting to get pretty worn out at this point. With Christmas and then a very busy week following, his little body had just about had enough.
Meredith appeared to be taking it all in stride...even caught a little nap amidst all of the action.
Maybe this is when things started to get a little crazy...
That's one scary dinosaur. Make that really scary.
Oh no, Mommy! "Dinosaurus-rex" is not supposed to get dirty. Cue meltdown.
His feets are covered in frosting, that is very upsetting. 
Can you please blow out my candle while I recover from the trauma? 
After we dried the tears and ate some cake, he happily curled up in my arms (heck, I'll enjoy it while it lasts). He then fell asleep in the car on the ride home at 5:00pm, slept through dinner, new year's eve, and the wee-morning hours.
14 and a half hours later (the longest sleep of his life) he woke up on his actual birthday a new boy! Hungry and ready to open his presents.
Thanks to everyone for the generous bounty of gifts between Christmas and birthday we have enough to keep him entertained for the entire year.
So at 3 years old, he just passed the 30 lb mark and weighed in at 32 lbs. He is 3 ft, 1 inch tall.
He loves cars, trains, dinosaurs, books and movies. I just love to watch his little imagination at work when he plays.
His favorite color is blue. Favorite foods are hotdogs and "pitza" (pizza), but he's actually started to eat just about anything we give him at dinner. He LOVES a bowl of cereal for breakfast. 
He talks all the time at home, but is much more reserved in public. He's got a determined little spirit, that certainly keeps us on our toes and reminds us of a couple people we know. *wink* But he's also sweet and gentle with an infectious little giggle. We love him to pieces and are so thankful we get to be his parents. Happy 3rd Birthday, Will! 
