Gingerbread House 2012

One of our yearly traditions is to try to build a Gingerbread House together.  This year I let the kids have fun and do it mostly themselves. After a little "building" from Joe....

Except for the roof.  Joe takes over the roofing duties.  Cause it's a "guy-thing".  He's got to make sure the shingles are "just right".

Gianna was running a fever, with a sore throat, & laying like a lump on the couch but we forced her to have fun.  We force our kids to have fun around here.  That's how we roll.

I've got to say this was the quietest house building I have ever witnessed!  It wasn't just quiet but they were (dare I say it??) getting along!!  Oh the power of a sore throat!!  I guess you can say it was a "silent night". ;)

The girls each decorate one side to the house.  This is Marissa with her side....

And Gianna with her side.

This year might be the last year we do one house.  The girls are (normally) a bit competitive and want to do their own.  Gianna looks so miserable but she gave smiling a good attempt.

Time

I wish I had more time in the day to get things done.

Like the cookie baking I need to start.

(Joe went to BJ's to pick up the cookie ingriedients I needed.  He is a total keeper!!)

Like the laundry that's piling up, again.
Like the Christmas shopping that needs to be finished.
Like the Gingerbread house we make ever year.
Like getting my bangs trimmed.
Like exercising.
Like the 3 mini albums I've been wanting to make for about 3 years.
Like the Christmas wrapping (for the above mentioned presents).
Like sitting on the couch watching those merry Christmas movies.

Gee, my list is pretty long....and slightly depressing. I've got to get moving!!

12 on 12 December

Is it really 12-12-12 already??  I am so happy that I decided to do this monthly project this year, of all years.  I mean 12-12-12!!  It's the last time we'll see something like this in our lifetime!  How cool is that??

The day starts with Zonko lounging in the Button Tree forest.  He must be taking it easy today.

Of course on a day like this the weather needs to be recorded.  The Swackett app is a fun to do that.  Makes me wish I had a pink coat.

12-12-12 at 12:12pm.  I set an alarm on my phone so I wouldn't forget.  HA!

Gotta find a spot for all the everyday stuff while the Christmas decorations are out.

Been slowly getting Christmas cards in the mail, today was a 3 letter day!

Gianna kept me company while we waited for Marissa at the orthodontist.

Saw someone on Instagram post a crazy bokeh effect of their tree by taking a picture while moving the phone.  Love the whirly effect of the lights!

Gianna wanted all sprinkles.  I needed a giftcard.  Marissa wanted two donuts.  Guess what I almost left without buying?  I am losing my mind!

Marissa went with green bands for her braces in honor of Christmas.  She likes to match the holidays.

If you see me drinking tea, then you know I'm not feeling good.  Marissa shared her germs with me.

How I amuse myself & the girls every year.  Elf yourself is now a free app.  GO ELF YOURSELF!

Love Adam Sandler on the 12-12-12 concert for Sandy relief.  "Sandy screw ya!", LOVE IT!!

Almost sad to see this end, but it's been a fun year!

New To The Tree 2012

I am an ornament addict.

There I said it.

Every year, as I go around, no matter where the place, if I see an ornament that is "fits" our family, I get it.  I used to get the girls an ornament (or two) every year, sometimes letting them pick their own special ornament, keeping their collection in their own storage tubs.....well those tubs are getting mighty FULL.  In fact we have a bunch of storage tubs that are FULL. 

This is the first year that I have curbed myself when walking into Hallmark...not that I do much of that anymore thanks to making my own cards.......However, I have bought a few new ornaments to add to our tree.  After all kicking the habit takes time.

I could not resist the cuteness of these owls when I saw them at Hallmark.  The fact that they were about "sisters" sealed the deal....perfect for the girls!  Not that you'd ever see them this close, but ONE day, my friends, one day they will understand the power of sisters.

Found this guy at Michaels. 

He was in my hands in seconds when I found him at Target.

So was this.  Target had me this year!

Ummm, this was a no brainer when I was getting my coffee fix one afternoon.  Love me some Dunkin!

On our last Disney trip, I always have to hit up the Christmas store in Downtown Disney.  I never leave empty handed.  Ever.

Lady & the Tramp is my all time favorite Disney movie.  It's SO romantic!  Joe even proposed to me at Tony's Townsquare Restaurant which is from the movie.  Like I said, SO romantic!!

Unfortunately, every once in awhile, there is a casualty of the season.  This little peppermint glass ball had a close encounter with my floor, but it's OK.  He's served me well. 

The tree is officially finished and in it's place of honor. 

Let's bring on the MERRY!!

Scrap Cards

After going on a scrapping bender, I found myself with some scraps laying on my desk.  I was tired of shuffling them around my desk and realized I had enough to make a few cards.

As much as I don't consider myself a "card maker", these just come in handy.  I've noticed people appreciating the cards I've made too. Makes it all worth it.

These two cards look so much better IRL, but I could not make them look the same on the computer. 

I'm sure if I wanted to I could make another ton of cards from all the scraps I have but I run in spurts.  I'll get there. ;)

Christmas Card Pics 2012

Every year there are tantrums, tears and frustration when it comes time for taking Christmas card pics....never mind the reactions I get from the girls.

This year, to change things up a bit, I wanted a different kind of pic.  I had an idea & got everyone's approval.

I put together a quick banner for a prop and had the girls get ready.

We threw this together so quick I didn't think I'd be able to pull it off.  I promised the girls it would be quick & fast if they cooperated & we gave it a test run before heading outside.

In FIVE pics I got the shot we decided to use.  Is it perfect? No. 

But we are rolling with it....and they are printed & ready to be addressed, stamped & mailed.

Gingerbread House School Fun

Every year the third graders build Gingerbread Houses in class.  Gianna has been looking forward to this day for a long time.  This is her kind of thing...CANDY!!

The teachers supply the "gingerbread walls" (cinnamon sprinkled graham crackers) & the parents bring in the "glue" & CANDY.

There are no rules, except using your imagination.  We didn't have a plan for our house but it we had fun with it.

The best part for me? 

Hanging out with my sweet girl.

Choir Holiday Concert 2012

Marissa joined the Choir in middle school.  She's had Monday morning rehearsals before school starts every week.  It makes Mondays *that* much nuttier but she enjoys it.  Tonight was their first concert. 

The concert was a mix of two bands & two choir groups but surprisingly, it was a quick concert.

For being short a few rehearsals due to Hurricane Sandy, they sang beautifully.

We are so proud of her. Looking forward to the next concert!

Butterfly Card

This card came together when I was playing with the Daydream Believer kit from Studio Calico.  I had put these butterflies aside to giveaway since they're not really "me", but then realized they would make a great card!  I think I can officially call that kit "done"!

I stamped a simple "Happy Birthday" on a cardstock strip and pop dotted the wings on the butterflies. 

The colors are prettier IRL, but they play off each other nicely.  Perfect card for a birthday!

Speaking Of Elves....

Zonko is BACK in TOWN! 

He arrived on Thanksgiving and has kept the girls on their toes trying to find him every morning.

This might just be my favorite.  Zonko found himself a girl!
 

Gianna had a hard time finding Zonko in this spot!  Took her a few trips through the room!

Dressing up the house today.  I feel so behind though I know I'm not.  Now if Zonko would play me some Christmas music I'd be set!

Jolly Little Elf

In honor of it being the first of December I am sharing this LO I made recently.  I've had this pic printed waiting to be scrapped for awhile now (I seem to do that a lot).  I even had the title printed on the back, all ready to go.  I finally grabbed the pic and dug through my stash of Christmas papers.  Finding these old Imaginisce papers that I used for the last December Daily I made.

I was trying to capture Gianna's playfulness in the LO.  She's always been a happy go lucky kind of girl, always ready for fun.  She was four in this picture.  Can this really be four years ago??  I remember taking this picture like it was yesterday.  Where does time go?? 

I re-discovered my Heidi Swapp date stamp for this.  Happy I never got rid of it.  I've got quite a collection of roller stamps going...not that I have a "problem" or anything.  Nothing I can't quit...but I don't want to.

Used my Silhouette to cut the two doilies, have I mentioned my love for that machine??  Makes me wish I didn't have a few other machines....

Hoping to get more Christmas-y LO's made.  I don't think I've done a lot of Christmas scrapping, which is ridiculous considering how much paper I have! 

Debating on doing a December Daily this year.  I'm inspired by everyone's albums I've seen on Instagram but don't want to fill up my plate more than it is.  I've got Project Life and well, there's Christmas and all that goes with it.  **sigh**  Maybe I'll do it afterwards, you know in January or something....