I have been busy working on these teacher gifts. My theme was apples. So you have the lunch box tin in an apple theme, filled with 6 misc. apple cards, an apple pencil, an apple sented candle and of course a gift certificate from Applebees. I hope they like them, I made two. It took forever to tie all those ribbons on the handle.

We put up our Christmas decorations this weekend. Here are the pictures to prove it.

Here are some sideways pictures of my recent kiddos. I don't know how to turn them!

Here is a LO that I just completed. It looks better IRL. It is sparkley. The snow and accents use that super sparkley paper that is self-adhesive. This took a long time to do with all of the paper piecing.

Why I scrapbook
The short answer is because memories fade. It is simple and true over time memories dim. Now for the more extended answer of this question lies deep in my heart. My father passed away when I was 14. Of course I remember my father and I have memories of times spent with him but over the years my memories have faded. It is sad but sometimes I feel like I really don't remember who he was. It has been a long time. That is why I scrapbook. My children will have a legacy confined to the binds of my scrapbooks. It is all in there for them. I pour out my heart in those pages. I want them to remember all the times we've had. Not just fun times but hard times, troubled times, and important times. Through my scrapbooks I want them to know my wishes and hopes for them and how I adore them. Plus scrapbooking is fun! I enjoy the creative outlet. I could just scrapbook all day (oops-sometimes I do). Scrapbooks have also been found useful in therapy with Alzheimer's patients, so I figure I am covered-you know, just in case.




I will upload what I have been working on tomorrow. It is late now-I am going to bed.

Here is Kennedy at 6 and 7 months

Here is Kennedy at 6 months. I love this LO-I used the same idea for Carter's 5th birthday party and got 25 pictures on a two page spread!

Here is a Stampin Up LO that I recently created. My husband says it has too much color but I don't think so, besides it will be a little more subdoed when the pictures are in place. You probably can't read it. The title is, "She's got it ALL" the tags on the second page say- "Beauty, Personality, and Brains" Of course this LO is for my picture--Ha Ha Ha, just joking LOL- it is for Kennedy!

Here is a scrapbook page that I worked on all weekend. I lifted it, of course but it really doesn't look that much like the orginal idea. Now I got to get my tree up (after Thanksgiving) and fill it in with some pictures. I had had that little deer in the corner for about 3 years and was just waiting for the perfect opportunity to use him.

Kennedy

Kennedy finally has enough hair for a pony tail (well sort of)!

Michaels

I love Vetereran's Day!!! Not only because I love our soldiers and admire the sacrafices that they make everyday but also because Michael's published two 50% off coupons in honor of the holiday!!!! Of course, I HAD to go shopping. Here are my goodies. Look at that scrapbook spread, it is so cute. I am not above buying already made mass-produced LOs. I love this and at $3.50 I could not make it for that cheap. And look at this marvelous paper!!! I can't wait to make Christmas pages with that!!

Here are the last pictures of our house, I promise, I am sure I've bored you enough!

This is our guest bath, another view of the loft and Carter in the pool while it is filling up. The backyard is completely done now. I will take some pictures of it tomorrow and upload them.

Here is the balcony off of the master bedroom and Kevin's office/his x-box room!

Here is Kennedy's room, the kids' bathroom and Carter's room. The upstairs needs some color on the walls. I will eventually get to that.

My scrapin/stampin room

My wall of stars going up the stairs. I might rearrange them, they don't look random enough to me.

Here is our loft. We made this the kids area. The old school desks are from Ansonia High School and my mom and dad probably used them when they were in school. The media center which houses the TV was made by my Dad (is he good or what!!!). It is modeled after the Cameron collection at Pottery Barn-I love pottery barn!

Here is our movie room. We love this room, the screen is 6 or 8 foot (I forget) but it is big. I now have movie posters hanging on the red wall also (Shrek the Third and The Holiday) they give them to you free for asking at the movie theater! Now all I need is one of those fancy free standing popcorn machines. I will have to wait on that -they are around $300.00 ouch!

New home continued

Here are some shots in the family room. My Dad and Kevin made the built in cabinet that the TV sits on.

Our kitchen

New Home

Here is the master bedroom and master bath

Here are some pics of our new home. This is the dining room and living room

Kennedy's Gymnastics

Kennedy has been taking gymnastics now for 2 months and I think she loves it! She gets to utilize the balance beam, bars, rings, trampoline and lots of other fun things. She's a natural. She is just now learning how to jump and she loves to practice.