Merry Christmas!

Insta-Snow

Mom found this stuff called "Insta-Snow" and sent some to the kids. You mix it with a little water and you have instant snow, smelling of artificial goodness :)

The kids had fun with it, Thanks Mom!

Christmas is only 3 days away! I'm trying to get over a cold, trying to keep the house from being destroyed and trying to keep my sanity intact...I'm failing miserably :)

At least the kids are having fun...

"On the count of 3, throw your snow in the air! Are you ready?One...Two...Three!"

I love these little stinkers :)

love this quote

Traditions offer opportunities to create memories, share love, and build strong bonds between family members. They will not only help your family life be more peaceful and rewarding, they will also give your children memories they can draw on no matter where they go or who they grow up to be.

-Linda and Richard Eyre

December 16th and 17th

I've been taking a lot of pictures lately for this album, it's been a really good thing. Some of the pictures have not been very good (the shadows on some of these are horrible) but it's really all about capturing these moments. Whether the light is good or bad :)

I love the little art projects the kids have been bringing home!

I mentioned a couple of years ago about our Christmas book tradition. It's something the kids really love. This year, they are going to fill in a Christmas memory book. That should be fun.

And the ornaments Ricci and Wes sent to me...I just love them!

Had to throw in a page of purple! (Paige's favorite color)

I can't believe Christmas is a week away...I'm so excited. The real challenge this week is keeping my kids entertained all week...

December Daily 12th-15th

These are the updated pages for my December Daily album.
December 12-15th

Next to Baptism, this is my favorite Primary song. The message is so simple and beautiful.

This project has been so fun! I can't wait until next week, I have some fun Christmas activities planned for the kids :)

life lessons

When I was a 21 year old student going to UVSC and causing some serious trouble in Provo (ha! ha! You don't move to Provo if you're looking for trouble), I did my fair share of just stupid things. I over slept and missed classes one too many times, dated my fair share of psychotic boys and was ranked 13th out of 13 employees in sales at Footlocker in the University Mall where I worked.

Cindy, my wise roommate and friend, reminded me everytime I screwed up, "Kris, you're still a good person." We would laugh about it but to this day, that has really stuck with me. We need to remind each other (and ourselves especially!) that even though we can act like idiots sometimes and we don't live up to the expectations we place on ourselves that we can say,

"You're still a good person!"

and just get on with life.

more December Daily

2 weeks until Christmas!! So excited!

December Daily...making it work

When I started this album, I had the best intentions of doing a page or two a day. Then the reality of life slapped me around and the next thing I know, I'm 3 days behind. So I made a 2 page layout (the blank one is for journaling) for 3 days. Works for me!

I'm still behind 2 days but I've got the pictures and journaling ready, I just need to do it. That would be a good Sunday project for me :)
I also went back to the 6x8 size. This size will be less expensive when I go to print them out. (Costco has a 12x18 size for $2.99. 4- 6x8's per sheet)

pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

I don't care for pumpkin pie but I have to admit I LOVE pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. I've tried a couple of recipes and this one is a winner! (Karin- I used my Penzey's spices and vanilla in these and thought of you! :) Penzey's spices...I need to dedicate a whole post to one of my favorite places on earth!!

Pumpkin Chocolate chip cookies

1/2 c. butter

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 egg

1 c. pumpkin

1 tsp. vanilla

2 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 c. chocolate chips (I use the semi-sweet, milk chocolate would be good too)

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg, pumpkin and vanilla. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. Mix with pumpkin mixture. Add chocolate chips. Bake @ 350 for 13-15 minutes on well greased cookie sheet.

December Daily update

I'm still in the process of the December daily album. Wow...I forget how crazy the month of December can get. Not just with the shopping but all the concerts, practices, projects, games and parties that are going on this month. I'm just trying to keep this whole project simple so I can keep up with it.

See the dead, white grass in these soccer pictures? That's the closest thing we get to snow around here :)

December Daily day 1

It's the 1st day of December! I'm so excited for Christmas! I mentioned in a previous post that I'm going to do a December Daily album this year. The task seems daunting but I think it's going to be a lot of fun. The templates I made are the only way I'm going to get this accomplished.
This envelope is going to be for little keepsakes. I plan on binding it into the book.

This is front and back cover of the album. The paper is Making Memories that I've had for years and the Santa is K&Company. I glued 2 pieces of chipboard together so that it's more sturdy and then covered it with paper. I wanted to keep it simple...I think I'll ink or paint the edges in a cream or brown and then bind it all at the end. I'll probably save all the pages I create and just print them all at once at the end. I don't know...we'll see how it all works out...

Today's page. Just used those templates, makes things so much easier. I think I mentioned this before but the pages and book are 6.5 x 8. I made it a little wider for the binding.

If you decide to do this, I would LOVE to see and hear about it! :)