december daily {days 14-17}

12.14.11

on this day Lydia received an email from Santa & a video.  We did this last year too {PNP or Portable North Pole} & she loved it then too!  I would suggest it to anyone.  The excitement on her face was priceless!  Santa knew a lot about her & she still can't figure out how he got pictures of her for in his book ;)  She's watched it over & over... just to make sure she's still on the "nice" list.

12.15.11

On this day I wanted to show the kids {well the oldest always seems to be missing from the photos} writing letters to my parents who are in Texas.  Maybe I'll even be able to get them back from my mom later so they can be included here.  They were so sweet.  Also, Lydia brought home a gift for Dan & I from preschool & insisted I open it right away instead of waiting for Christmas.  I know this is going to be one of those homemade ornaments that I cherish forever {as long as it doesn't get broken}.  I cut down the bag she had decorated with stickers & a tag to create an extra page. 

12.16.11

on this day I was trying to do a speed shop while Lydia was at preschool. Our closest Target is about 35 minutes away, so I never have much time.  Thankfully, it does have a Starbucks in it, so I included a pic while I was waiting for my Chai Tea Latte :)  I also stitched in the cardboard cozy from my drink. On the back of the page I included my list I took along that day.

12.17.11

on this day I wanted to get lots done!  I had bought some material for new stocking for the kids the night before & started to sew them up that day.  I kept it simple, as I'm not a very advanced in the sewing department.  I love how they turned out & the kids love that they are bigger than their last ones :)  I included pics of each & also some scraps from the material I used.

I'm trying to make this week as stress-free as possible & there are tons of things I want to do with the kids while they are off. Hopefully baking some cookies & maybe even some movie-watching will come into the mix! 

We received a call from my parents yesterday that they were going to leave their motorhome in Texas & drive home over the next few days.  We are very excited that they'll be home for Christmas {the kids are so happy}, but it is very bittersweet, because the reason they are coming home is that my mom's oldest sister is not doing well.  So, we are praying for auntie Betty & her family, as well as the safety of my parents as they make the long drive home.

{robyn}

december daily {days 10-13}

playing catch up again :)

12.10.11

on this day we took a quick trip to the mall to let the boys pick out a few things they had on their lists.  at their age, sometimes it's easier to let them to that.  They both picked out air soft guns & Evan picked out a wooden baseball bat that was on his list.  We finished it off with dinner at the Olive Garden. The present was something Lydia brought home from school & since I had the blank page, I decided to add that in here.

12.11.11

on this day, the kids spent the morning outside playing, riding 4 wheelers & sledding with Dan.  In the afternoon Collin had a chorus concert that Dan & I went too.  It was really awesome.

12.12.11

on this day... well not much happened! Lydia did have me help write a letter to Santa, so I made this little envelope to put that in. 

12.13.11

on thhis day, again, not much.  I used another picture I took when I first decorated the house of the nativity that Dan bought me several years ago.  It's something I just love.

so that's all for right now.  I'm a few days back on this, but plan to catch up quickly.  I'm trying not to overthink it. 

{robyn}

december daily {days 8&9}

12.8.11

on this day Lydia & I met Dan for lunch & a quick trip to the grocery store.  it seems I have tons of photos of Lydia, but not too much of the boys... need to work on that.  she's my constant companion right now since she is home with me unless she's at preschool, so many pictures get taken of her i guess!

12.9.11

on this day, we just didn't seem to have much going on, so i printed out some photos i took in late November right after i put up the tree.  we decorated early because my parents were heading to Texas Thanksgiving day & we were hosting an early Thanksgiving/Christmas/Anniversary party with the family.  I still want our holiday decor to be part of the album, so I think I'll add in photos like this in on "slow" days.

{robyn}

Happy Days Countdown	Happy Days Stamps	Everyday Fun Borders	Happy Days Borders
Vintage Holiday Digital Papers	Happy Days Brads	Lost & Found Christmas chipboard	Lost&Found Christmas trim
Love Me Accessory Sheet	Check it journaling cards	All Together fabric stickers

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december daily {days 6&7}

12.6.11

on this day we had our first real snow that stuck. i always love the first snow, it just makes everything look magical on our property.  i took this photo with my phone out of one of my office windows.

of course Lydia had to get out in it immediately, no matter how cold!  i probably spent 10 minutes getting her ready & she spent about 3 outside. lol. just long enough to make a snow angel {which she's been talking about for weeks} & to stomp around & touch it with her bare hands {which, in turn, made her want to come inside...}.  i'm a real wimp in the cold & the snow wasn't good for snowmen, so I watched from the porch.

here's a look at the spread.  i really have no rhyme or reason if I put photos on the front of the base page for the day... just if it looks right i guess. 

12.7.11

on this day, as i came back from taking Lydia to school, I was just sort of overcome by how beautiful our setting was around our home, especially with the snow covering things.  I also loved how the boys footprints were at the end of the driveway from them walking to catch the bus that morning.  I stopped the truck on my way in the driveway to catch the photo.

then, when i had parked in the driveway i noticed the sun coming up over the buildings in our back yard & in the distance it was sort of hazy... just beautiful.  I'm so happy I caught this.  I love where we live...

{robyn}

Fun&Festive Full Kit	Vintage Holiday Digital Papers	Everyday Fun Wood Banners	Check it journaling cards
Lost&Found Christmas trim	Epson Premium presentation matte

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december daily {days 4&5}

playing catch up today...

12.4.11

on this day, we took a fun trip to go visit Santa. believe it or not, Lydia has NEvEr gone to see Santa.  She's always been WAY too freaked out.  Last year we went, but she bailed. This year we went & she was ready to again, but I bribed her with a gumball :)  The above page is the back of the day 3 page.  For this one I printed out some new journaling cards that will be released Thursday at DHD.  I also used a few of my Kraft Funday stamps.

this was my favorite photo of the day.  She still wouldn't sit on his lap, but she was very excited to talk to Santa & told him just what she wanted.  Lydia said he was very nice :)

for this page I printed out some more digital paper to journal on & used some Lost & Found Christmas & Kraft Funday embellishments, then I sewed it all up.

Right now I'm including Jessie the elf in the album, but he may get an album all to himself.  I think that would be fun.  I printed another journaling card from my release coming Thursday, backed it & added a spine by sewing some Funday paper to it.

12.5.11

& here's the backside to that journaling card with what Jessie did on the fifth.

there wasn't much excitement going on around here on this day, but we did watch Polar Express, which was a favorite of the boys.  It was Lydia's first time seeing it & let's just say... it quieted her right down, which doesn't happen much... unless she's asleep :)

that's all for now.  we're getting a good blanket of snow today, so there is no doubt day 6 will be all about that!

{robyn}