Life...As I See It

 

13 Things You Would Do If You Spent the Holidays with the Conyers 
 

Celebrate 2 December birthdays.

Wish for a white Christmas.

Enjoy Chad's early Christmas gift.
 
Listen to Christmas music as much as possible. This is more of a Jill Christmas thing. The family? Not so much :)

 
Watch Christmas shows with popcorn. This one is my favorite.

Bake Peppermint Bark for teachers and neighbors.

It turned out fabulous!
 
 Squeeze in as much Chad/daddy time as possible. With Chad's holiday work schedule at Amazon we cherish every minute we can get with him just a little bit more.

Bake more. Alec's recipe of choice, Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies. The recipe is on the Jif jar and Alec has wanted to try it for years.  

They turned out perfect!

Give teachers gifts.

Go to a cheer competition.

Enjoy family time.

Happy holidays from Chad, Jill, Alec and Alyssa.

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2009 Christmas Cards

From this...

 

To this (the blue isn't as dark as it is in the photo)...

 

and this...

 

And the sentiment inside...

Warm holiday wishes from our family to yours. 

Chad, Jill, Alec and Alyssa

Including our 2009 family photo...

 

Note to self for next year:

Think twice before designing a card using glitter :)

Happy holidays!

 

 
 

 
  

Inspired by The Simple Woman's Daybook  

For Today...

Outside my window...the cold wind is blowing.

I am thinking...if I budget how long would it take me to save for this EOS Rebel XSi.

I am thankful for...so many things but mostly Chad, Alec and Alyssa.

I am wearing...pink pajamas.

I am currently reading...Born of Ice by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

On my mind...how hard it is to find time to workout/run with the busyness of the holidays and Chad's holiday work schedule.

Noticing that...I  have accomplished all but one of my 2009 goals.

I am thinking...do people confuse intense for stressed? Do I appear more stressed than I feel?

Pondering these words..."strive not to be a success but rather to be of value" Albert Einstein

From the kitchen...the aroma of coffee brewing.

Around the house...I'm updating framed photos and adding a new photo collage in the living room.

One of my favorite things...black and white photos.

From the camera...

Alyssa's (that's Alyssa on top in the middle) latest cheer competition. Watching her do what she loves. 

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Eclipse Movie Countdown Official Teaser Poster

 Can't wait!

 

11 years ago today my daughter was born.

 

  
 

Happy Birthday Alyssa! I love you.

 

 

A glimpse of 13 amazing, wonderful years...

 

 

 

 

 

Happy birthday Alec. I love you.
 
 
 
 
 

Documenting December

 

13 Photos, Thoughts, Ideas and Plans for Documenting December Daily 2009

1. Holidays and family values.
2. A favorite photo.

3. No decorations until after both December birthdays. 
4. Last year my December Daily album was all traditional scrapbooking. This year it's a hybrid project.

5. Every year I'm sure Alec and Alyssa will be too old to continue some of our holiday favorites. Happily I was surprised to find that some things haven't changed. Remember Rudolph? Classic.

6.  Tim Holtz never fails to inspire with his annual 12 Tags of Christmas. Amazing creativity. You can see his holiday tradition here 12 Tags of Christmas

7. My Yankee Candle fragrances for the season.
 
 8. For almost every day in December I'm using journaling prompts (in addition to the daily details) from Jessica Sprague's Holidays in Hand.

9. Although it drives my family crazy, I love a radio station that plays only Christmas music. 
 
10-11. Family. Christmas shows. And hot chocolate with candy canes.



12. My morning started with fresh coffee. Compliments of Alec :)
  
13. Inspired by Ali Edwards, December Daily is one of my all time favorite photo projects. The key to success is the prep and spending a little time at the end of each day journaling and putting it all together.

  

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Inspired by a newly found and now a favorite blog, 1000 Awesome Things. I love finding a new post in my e-mail. So, this week's Thursday 13 is...

13 Awesome Things

1. When you're driving in traffic and you're in the lane that is moving.
2. The end of a long run (7+ miles).
3. Coming home after a long trip.
4. Carrying all the groceries in from the car in one big trip. (1000 Awesome Things #639)
5. Finding surprise money in your pants pocket or a purse you haven't used in a while.
6. The first cup of coffee in the morning.
7. Getting a random text from Chad that makes me laugh out loud.
8. Reading a book that you don't want to end.
9. When construction on a highway ends and the speed limit goes back to 65.
10. Watching back to back episodes of a favorite TV show using the DVR.
11. Hot pizza.
12. Being in the line at the grocery store that isn't waiting for a price check.
13. Not being able to go to sleep because you're so excited about the next day.

Awesome!

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Quick Page Challenge

When I'm feeling unproductive I do one or all of three things...a scrapbook challenge, run or organize something.

I just finished organizing my latest digital downloads and I'm going for a run later this morning. So that leaves the challenge. An easy quick page challenge posted on a favorite digital designer's blog, Paislee Press. 

This QP freebie included.
 

My layouts. I have several 12x12 frames from Ikea that were bought for our library. Maybe I will print both of these to frame.

 

 

The rest of the day? Grocery store, Holidays In Hand, plan Alyssa's birthday sleepover, Ikea, Old Navy, maybe a little Christmas shopping and pick up my dad from the airport :)

 

 

More Holidays In Hand with Jessica Sprague.

13 Things to Make and Do for the Holiday Season

1. Make Peppermint Bark in holiday tins for the neighbors.
2. Celebrate Alec's birthday on 12/5.
3. Celebrate Alyssa's birthday on 12/8.
4. Make Hot Cocoa with Candy Canes.
5. Date night with Chad (sans kids).
6. Make Cookies In A Jar for teachers.
7. Holiday notes in backpacks.
8. Make Christmas cookies with Mama (tradition).
9. Family movie night with Scrooge (our favorite is with Albert Finney as Scrooge) and popcorn.
10. Spa Day for me (perfect right around the 21st).
11. Complete another year of December Daily.
 12. Mall trip just for fun.
 13. Make Christmas cards.

A few favorite traditions. A few new ideas. And not over committing. Perfect.