Life...As I See It

From our family to yours...

 

 

Student Ambassadors

Last week we received a letter from People to People Student Ambassadors letting us know that Alyssa was recommended and is invited to study for 12 days in Canada this summer as a Student Ambassador. I've been researching for the past week and the opportunity looks amazing. I will be going to an information meeting in January and we will make a decision whether or not she will get to go after that. If the program is actually as it reads on the web site and is without a doubt 100% legitimate in what they want to accomplish educationally then it will be a wonderful and rewarding experience. 

 

We're so proud of her. She loves school and she works hard. This is well deserved.

 

If anyone has had any experience with this program I would love to hear what you think.
 
 

 

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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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.
 
 
 
 
 

 

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.

Documenting Life

 

Holidays in Hand with Jessica Sprague  started today! 

Day 1 is focusing on values and goals for the holiday season. What matters most? What values do you hope to instill in your family? What do you hope to accomplish this holiday season?

First, the values...
gratitude, joy, traditions, family, peace, giving, reflecting, together 

Second, the goals...
1. Complete December Daily and Holidays in Hand as a hybrid project.
2. Do not over commit. That includes entertaining, projects and accepting invitations.

I think that's a good starting point for this project.   

I'm also in the process of putting together my 2009 Week in the Life (inspired by Ali Edwards) album. I'm creating all of my own templates for this one so the process is a bit slower than last year, but I'm loving it. 

A peek at Day 1 (keep in mind I will be adding traditional elements to the pattern paper blocks on the final printed layout)...

 

Until next time :)

 

13 Photos from One of the Happiest Days of My Life

December 23, 1995

After months and months of workups and 6 months of deployment, Chad was coming home.

 
Marine Corps Air Station Tustin
Tustin, California

 

 

The first sight of aircraft finally made it feel real.

 

Waiting! Landing and shutting down all of the aircraft seemed like it took forever.

 

There he is!

 

 

 

 

 

If you look real close you can see the smile on his face. I will remember that forever.

 

 

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The Muddier the Better!

Running in the mud is one of the reasons Alec prefers trail runs. 

In the beginning...clean and make note of the fact that he is wearing 2 shoes.

 

In the end...muddy and no longer wearing 2 shoes. 

 

Even with the one-shoe finish he once again beat his personal record! Happy and not the least bit concerned about the shoe that was left behind stuck in the mud :)

 

 

And one of the judges.

 

Good times!

Alec and Alyssa

Watching them grow, change, try new things, succeed...

 

Alec set a new PR in Cross Country...8:19! The Cross Country season only lasts and few more weeks. Alec is already talking about Track season in the Spring.

 

Alyssa won in the 2009-10 student council election! A politician in the making?

 

Their enthusiasm. Determination. Commitment. Their pride in accomplishments. Those are the things I never want to forget.