Christmas Eve and Christmas

Making santa's cookies on Christmas Eve

Hanging keys for santa (since we don't have a chimney...he needs his own keys to get in the front door)

Ella with her note to Santa...and santa's cookies, of course.

Cohen with his new hockey teddy bear from grandma and papa. (We exchanged gifts with G&P on Christmas Eve).

Ella and grandma after they stuffed and dressed Ella's new princess build-a-bears.

Grandma and papa and kids

Daddy reading The Night Before Christmas.

The fun part....putting all the gifts out around the tree, after spending a month buying them.

Good Morning...it's Christmas!!

Ella seeing the gifts for the first time. She's looking at the 3 dress-up outfits, from Ashley, hanging from the curtain rod.

Taking a peak...where to start?! Still need to get Daddy and Grandma and Papa up!

Ella sat in that little corner...opening each of her gifts.

What a great Christmas! The kids slept until 7am! And they took their time opening gifts. It was so much fun to watch them open their gifts and be surprised. Santa was very good to us this year...and thank you to all of Santa's little helpers, as well!

Page Maps Contest

This layout is based on a sketch provided by the Page Maps blog for the Storyboard Kits contest.

December...where has it gone?

It's been a very busy December...here are pictures from this month. They are, however, backwards- the most recent are first. Above and below are Ella and Cohen watching The Grinch. Cohen loves Ella's Dora couch and can be found with his feet crossed, kicking back- reading a book!

At the House of Bounce. Ella was being a very helpful big sister and helping Cohen up, to go down the slide. Luckily, he has no problem going head first...be it hard or soft surfaces.

During the blizzard, we got 18 inches of snow...our neighbors were kind enough to use their snow blower on on our driveway and sidewalks...3 times. So, Ella and I made cookies to bring over as a thank you.

The temper-tantrums have begun. Full out, throw himself on the floor, kicking and screaming. Yes!!!

As if the tantrums weren't enough indication that we have a diva-boy on our hands...

Here is a picture of our deck after the blizzard...the snow was waist deep.

Ella out shoveling with Eric.

Again, these are backwards...this is after Eric's graduation. I surprised him by getting together with our closest friends. After dinner we went to Sarri and Dave's house. We each toasted Eric with a favorite story of him...it was really sweet!

Us girls: me, Leah, Sarri.

The guys: Dave, Clark and Mr. Master's himself: Eric.

Eric with the kids...we thought it would be neat to look back and see how little the kids were when he finished his Master's....testament to how much harder the process was with a young family.

Look how happy he is!

Eric and I after the Hooding Ceremony. Each master's student had the opportunity to publically thank the person who most supported them during their schooling. It was really special!

Ella and the other 3 year old classes for their Christmas program.

Cutie Pie!

Our beautiful new table and new blinds, that I waited a year and a half for! (my Christmas present from my Dad). The real gift is privacy...now the neighbors don't know what we're eating for dinner every night!

Ella with the hot cocoa she asked for days for...with "mushrooms"...or marshmallows. Then, she didn't even drink it!

Decorating the tree.

Ella baking oatmeal choc. chip cookies in her wedding dress. She'll make a wonderful housewife!

A surprise package from Grandma with filled stockings. (That's pop rocks on her face!)

We cut down our tree this year...a place less thn 5 min. outside rochester. It was the morning after our first big snowfall. Just perfect. And we were the first footprints through most of the trees.

Cohen's first time in the snow! He was in heaven until he was soaked. Both kids cried all the way back to the car. 20 minutes out in the cold...it's rough, you know?!

I love this picture!
That's it...to bad we haven't been busy this month! Plus, Fred and LouAnn were here for Eric's graduation and then last weekend Eric took the kids too Wisconsin for the wknd. I had the weekend to myself. Leah spent the night friday and scrapbooked on Saturday. Just amazing...when can I do it again?!!!

Effer Dares

Last month, I participated in one of the "Dares" at www.efferdares.com and by doing this specific one, I was invited to participate in a "swap," where several ladies were sent the same items and asked to create layouts using them. The first photo is what I recieved, from Tina Azmus, filled with her polaroid and ttv pictures (which she turned into stickers and overlays). It was such an exciting envelope to open! I couldn't wait to get started. I used the program http://poladroid.net to create polaroid-looking photos, aging them and all! At least one of my pages will be on the effer dares website, tomorrow! SO, check it out!

"Inspired By Fall" AC challenge

American Crafts Blog Challenge
Supply List: Cardstock: Bazzil, P.P: American Crafts, Cosmo Cricket, g.c.d. Studios, Leaf: Bazzil, Button: Jenni Bowlin, Film Strip: K &Co., Gaffer Tape: Pink Paislee, Alpha: American Crafts Thickers, Quickutz, Maya Road, Envelope: Maya Road, Stamp: W R Memory Keepers. Other: Jewels, Brads, Date Tag, White Pen and White Ink.

Pencil Lines Sketch #214

Products used: American Crafts: Dear Lizzy (Enchanted), Bazzil cardstock, Quickutz, Alpha stamps: Hero Arts, White Pen: Uni Ball Signo.

Pencil Lines Sketch #213

Products used: American Crafts: Dear Lizzy (Enchanted). Bazzil cardstock , American Crafts: Thickers, Quickutz, Alpha stamps: Hero Arts.

Page Maps Sketch Contest

Page Maps: Sisters Sketch Contest. Products used: American Crafts: Dear Lizzy (Enchanted), Bazzil cardstock, Quickutz, Brads: Basic Grey, Alpha Stickers: Adorn it, Alpha stamps: Hero Arts. Photography by: Adam