Baby's First Christmas

(and Christmas craft Number 4)

I just ordered this personalized ornament here for Lucas' first Christmas. I love that you can add a picture-priceless! Also, This year (another great idea from Ali) I'm going to make an ornament box for each child so they can keep track of their own special ornaments and where they came from. Then, when they leave home, they can take the special box with them:)

Breanna 3 Years

There is a funny story about photo day at Breanna's preschool. I wished them all luck getting Breanna to smile or even look at the camera as I dropped her off that day. Boy, was I wrong! As it turns out, Breanna was the star of the day. She was actually POSING, and MODELING for pictures and the photographer was able to snap alot of great shots:) Amazing!

Reflections from Last Thanksgiving

Here are some Pics and my journaling from Last Thanksgiving. We miss you Nanny!

This year we took the long trip out to Nanny and Pop-pop's house in Mcconnellsburg Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving. Nanny, who is now around 85 years old can still put together a Thanksgiving feast like you wouldn't believe! I felt amazed and blessed to be in her kitchen for another holiday. It was a 2 day drive (11-12 hrs each way) for a 2 day visit--but well worth it. My parents and brother also went and the kids were soo well behaved and had an awesome time together. It was so clear to me that Nanny and Pop-pop just savored every drop of their great-grandchildren. The last night we were all together my brother and dad were playing their instruments and everyone gathered around while the kids went wild dancing. It was a night I'll remember for a long time.

Thank You Barb! The blanket you made for Lucas is beautiful! I had no idea you were a sewer/quilter. What a talent:) Lucas loves it, it's so soft:)

The littlest fans

Christmas Craft Day 3

Trevor and I actually made these yesterday(until he broke one), and I got the idea from my Grandmother at a "girls craft day" a few years back.

Take plain Glass ball ornaments from your local craft store and squirt a few colors of acrylic paint inside. swirl the paint around until the glass is all covered. Cool effect. Enjoy:)

Today

If you are a crafter ,when you get a chance, check out Ali Edwards Blog (link on right). She also works for Creating Keepsakes magazine. I've gotten so many great crafting ideas from her site. Also, her quote of the day (today is just my style:)) I love the advent boxes on the wall!

Earl Nightingale :

Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.

It's Christmas in the Boys' Room

Day 2: Holiday Spirit Boxes:

Take a small gift box (or make one) and fill it with ideas printed on little slips of paper. The idea being that you reach into the box, pull out a slip of paper and pick an idea to fill you with holiday spirit. After all, sharing meaningful experiences of the season could be one of the best gifts of all:)

12 Days of Christmas Crafts

Day 1 :Button Trees
Well Atleast I'll TRy 12. We went to the craft stoe today and came home pretty inspired. I got the idea for the button tree here. It was really fun, although we ran out of pins (I guess 250 wasn't enough). It's a work in progress....

Thanksgiving 2007

Today I TRIED to cook my first full Thanksgiving meal ever. Let's just say the only thing that came out great was the turkey, and the pumpkin cheesecake. My mashed potatoes were undercooked, my cranberry sauce was watery, and the rolls were burned. The Amazing thing was that Trevor ACTUALLY took a bite of the turkey leg (not a meat eater, usually). Josh and I defiantely were wiping sweat off our brow after cooking the full meal, eating it (a little cold), cleaning up and watching the little ones. Hey, at least we had wine, LOL:) Time for a nap:)

A must read for anyone who is married and has kids. I just couldn't stop lauging out loud!

Going from two kids to three: Welcome to the jungle, LOL:)

get it here.

I Love These Albums!

After seeing these albums by We R Memory Keepers on Becky Higgins Blog October 30th (see link right) I had to try transferring one of my albums over. I love how it came out and now I am going to redo all my scrapbooks to these so they are uniform. I decided on wine for the family albums, Buttercup for Breanna, Kiwi for Trevor (he picked it) and Cobalt for Lucas. The colors are fabulous and they are so well made, they will last a lifetime. The three Ring system is so easy (I never thought I would like it) and the album looks fabulous! I can't wait to get scrapbooking again (2003 is the last year I have finished!!) You can get them here.

Christmas Traditions



Thanksgiving is here and it's the official start of the Christmas Season! We oficially broke out the Xmas Music today. It's my absolute favorite time of year. The weather, the spirit, the family time...It just gets better every year. Plus, It's Lucas' first Christmas and all the kids are at great ages this year to enjoy all the festivities. I'm working this Thanksgiving, so we are doing Turkey Day tommorrow (I'll post pics later..). I wanted to post all of our favorite Christmas Traditions that we have adopted over the past few years. I hope they are traditions that our kids will always cherish and pass down to their families someday...

• making a gingerbread house at the Children's museum
• riding the train to see santa
• making christmas cookies for the neighbors (I'll post the recipie later)
• cutting out decorating christmas sugar cookies with the kids
• Christmas eve mass followed by an Italian sandwich picnic
• Josh and I settling into bed christmas eve with a glass of wine to watch Christmas Vacation
• sledding (if there is snow)
• Watching the Polar Express
• watching all the christmas Specials on TV
• The Magic of Christmas symphony concert
• Making ornaments
• Making our christmas Card and Letter
• opening up New Christmas PJs and a new book on Christmas Eve
• Leaving out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer
• Taking all day to open our presents (with breakfast halfway in between)
• Being together for another year:)

What are you Thankful for?

Trevor:

I'm thankful for toys, the whole world, fruit, my backpack, Lucas, Breanna, mom, Dad, and football players....

Our Little Turkey

Happy Thanksgiving:)

Look who showed up for Thanksgiving dinner???

Thankful Day 7

Wow, the last day! I have so many more things that I'm grateful for. I'm grateful for my girlfriends, I'm grateful that I have a warm bed to sleep in at night and plenty of food on the table. I'm grateful for where I live-it is an amazing Kid-friendly place:) Happy Thanksgiving all!
Full Bellies and Full hearts to all!

Around the House

One of my goals for 2008 is to scrapbook more images of my daily life (well maybe just to scrapbook!)... This is what my life looks like today...

First Snow

Grateful Day 6

Today, I'm grateful for my wonderful family, Mom,
Dad, Kevin, Amy, Jeff and Irene. We are so close and we are always there for each other. As long as we are together nothing else matters. Here's to many more great times together as a family:) Happy Holidays All!

Grateful Day 5

Today, I'm Thankful for Lucas. He puts a sparkle in my eye and a smile on my face. Let's just say as hard as it is taking care of a baby--I'm still such a baby person. Because of Lucas, I get to do it all again. The cuddling, the first steps, the first birthday. I couldn't imagine life without him. He has added such a dynamic to our family. I thought my life was full enough and my heart was full enough until he came along. What a Christmas this is going to be:)

Being Grateful Day 4

Today I am Grateful for Breanna. We had an amazing Mother and Daughter moment last night. Breanna climbed up on the couch beside me and sat for over 30 minutes and read a magazine with me while the boys wrestled on the floor (see yesterday's pics). I had a small glimpse of what the future might be like. I thought briefly that I had wasted all that time being sad that Mother and Daughter special times would not exist because she has Down Syndrome. In her 3 short little years she has absolutely changed my life. Because of her I'm a MUCH stronger person. Because of Breanna I definitely have learned to appreciate the little things. Because of Breanna I'm able to stop and smell the roses, and they are sweet!

Pictures of the Week