So Thankful

We already have some Christmas decorations up. I know Mom....Christmas doesn't start until Santa rides across the TV screen in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade... but, I decided that since we aren't hosting Thanksgiving I could get a little head start. And since I have so much "help" it takes twice as long anyway!

Speaking of decorating help, we can't let Captain Chaos anywhere near the tree because he discovered that he could SPIN the Christmas tree. So he tries that every chance he gets. He also discovered that shaking the tree makes all kinds of fun noises and gets a fantastic response from anyone standing nearby...

So, this week I have been focusing on what I am thankful for:

•  My family - we spent two days with my parents, grandparents, and brother last weekend. So fun!
• My kids - they keep me laughing.
• My husband - he keeps me laughing.
• Photoshop - without it I would be wandering in a scrapbook wasteland from which there is no return.
• Cooler weather. 
• A best friend that totally gets me. And was able to attend a midnight showing of Twilight with me. :)
• Christmas decorations that make me smile.
  

Here's a couple of layouts that I have done - totally unrelated to being thankful, I just really liked them!

 

Created with Woodsy Whimsy by Jennifer Barrette Designs.

 
 

Created with FaLaLaLaLa by Dielle Designs

Just sharing a bit

I am really looking forward to the holidays this year. I don't know why. Last year, I was so not in the holiday spirit. I think I was just overwhelmed and sleep-deprived!

At any rate, my December Daily album is coming along nicely. The general idea is to have the album basically put together before December. Since I am a digital scrapper this created somewhat of an issue for me. I have very little in the way of paper supplies left and no real desire to go out and buy all that I would need for this album to look the way I want! So, I am improvising.

I am still making my pages ahead of time. When December rolls around I can just drop a picture into the page and print. Easy-peasy.

Here's my Day 1 page. I used a picture from last year to get the idea of layout and composition. I journaled about that picture as well so I could pick my font. :)

 

All materials from Pamela Donnis' Merry and Bright available at Elemental Scraps.

 And something really neat! You can go to Your Fonts and get a free font of your very own handwriting! The "December" on the above page is my writing. You can do as many as you want, so I'll probably do another, better, more thought out one. 

But, back to the December Daily, the back side of each page will be other pictures from that day that I like or enjoy. 

I am really looking forward to having a completed album celebrating the magic of the 25 days of Christmas. And you know how I know I am gonna finish? Meet my accountability partner...

Some things I am thinking about

1. I am working on a December Daily album, inspired by the Ali Edwards version here. When I looked at past years holiday pictures I noticed that I hadn't really done a very good job of documenting anything besides Christmas morning. And I guess I feel like there is way more going on in December than just Christmas morning!

2. I hate having days where I really don't want to do anything. Especially when I feel like I have so much to do! I think it is the sense of being overwhelmed that makes me want to say - "just forget it all!"

3. I need to go grocery shopping today. I don't want to. It's getting cold and I just don't feel like leaving the house. Ugh.

4. For the first time in a couple of years I am looking forward to the holidays! I can't wait to start decorating and baking and all that fun stuff. Let's not get started on all the cleaning.

5. We need an advent calendar. So I am going to try my hand at making one this year. Wish me luck...