January around here.

It's very January around here. That means, lots of indoor time, organizing, cleaning. Ben returned to school this morning, and Hunter and I headed straight home to get some housework done. Nothing spectacular, just laundry, vacuuming, and making the bed, prepping for dinner.
I took a break around lunch time to do a little scrapbooking. Outside of the prints I made for my Daily December Album, and a few others here and there, I have not printed pictures in years, and I still have pictures to scrapbook. Kind of a long story, but I try and print a huge batch once a year with tax return money, and in two years that hasn't happened. Imagine this scrapbookers dismay... and anticipation of millions of new print coming at this months end! AH!

For now, I still have some random photos from 2008 that I am trying to get into books of some sort before the new ones arrive. I decided on a mini book detailing my husband and I's overnight anniversary trip to a Bed and Breakfast in December 2008. I started on the book last week, and added few more pages this week. Trying to keep it simple, and just tell the story. First story: Wow, we were so fat! hahahaha...

Lots of mustard at the Mustard Museum!

Love how the pictures are speaking for themselves throughout this album.

On a completely unrelated sidenote, Theo has begun calling Hunter "Hef" because he's obsessed with his new Tpy Story robe. Amidst numerous costume changes this robe stays on him all day long.

Happy January!

Resolutions!

I always try to make a few New Year's Resolutions. Avoiding silly things, and focusing more on the directions I would like to take my life next. I find they help me focus, and give me things to work toward. With our pending move, I really feel like I can make some good goals this year.

1. Lose at least the next 44 lbs, if not more.
2. Declutter. Process already in progress.
3. Learn to crochet.
4. Make an afghan.
5. Finish the quilt I started.
6. Learn to knit socks.
7. Print 3 years worth of pictures, and get reasonably caught up on scrapbooking.
8. Walk regularly.
9. Track my food and...
10. ...wear my pedometer, everyday, starting tomorrow! Keep steps above 8,000 everyday!
11. Start a savings account.
12. Successfully transplant my garden favorites to our new location.
13. Grow my business on Etsy.

Happy New Year!

Happy 2011!

We spent New Year's weekend in the Peoria area visiting family. Theo and I snuck in a date on Thursday night, but otherwise I missed most of our visit because I was so sick. I have been battling terrible sinus issues and an ear infection for 2 months now. No help from antibiotics, which only bought me about 4 days relief just before Christmas. I go to see my doctor this week for my annual check up and I am making him send me back to my sinus doctor who surgically removed cysts from my maxillary sinuses a few years ago. I am feeling awful.

Nevertheless, the boys loved the New Year's Eve hats MeMaw bought them. They were in bed by 8:30 however. I was out by 10, too.

We also recently announced on facebook that Theo has been promoted to Staff SGT, and we are being moved to a town just outside of St. Paul/ Minneapolis, Minnesota. Theo reports for duty there in a few short months, and the rest of us would ideally like to be up there by late spring, just in time for the boys to finish this school year in their current schools. We will have to sell our home, and begin the tedious process of buying a new home. Thankfully, the government does pay for movers to come in and move all of our stuff. I'm trying to keep a level head, and not freak out or become overwhelmed. Wish me luck with that. Ha!

Asking for lots of prayers and positive well wishes in this time of transition, please!

December Creativity

I had some fun with my dining room table this year. Lots of glass, glitter, and vintage ornaments.

Meanwhile, I've been doing my Daily December album. Here are a few favorites:

And a few other layouts that have come from the scraproom this month.

Happy Creating!

We Love Snow Fun in the Backyard!

I could not get enough pictures of the boys and our dog Laura enjoying the snow last week. Here is Hunter when we first went outside.

And Ben, eating snowflakes as they fall.


Stopping to plan what to do next.

I forced them to give one good brother shot before they ran off and went crazy.

Ben had me break this icicle off the house so he could eat it. I broke the sharp part off.

We had snow drifts up to 2.5 feet.

Hunter was covered in snow in no time.

I can't get over how happy Laura was to have us playing in the snow with her!

The boys loved taking all snow off of their clubhouse.

By the time we went in both boys had snow in every crack and crevice. They had so much fun!

Happy Winter!

Some December Goodies

I took these awesome pictures of the boys this month in the light of a setting sun inside our front window.
Here's Benjamin and his cheesey grin.

Hunter, looking so adorable.

Hunter's trying to smile, smile.

Benjamin in Daddy's Bear's hat.

And together.

Hope you all had an awesome Christmas!

Everyday goodies.

Taking out the camera for my daily December album has proved to be very rewarding. I have captured some pretty special moments in the house, simple, everyday things I would have otherwise missed.
For example, Hunter is getting stellar at writing his name. He's 4 now, and I am so impressed.
Also, despite my mother guilt telling me otherwise, I really do a very good job of incorporating Hunter into my daily activities. Today he helped me make the bed and pick up laundry. Then we did a craft project together. Tuesday we made cookies, as you can see in the picture here.


I have been keeping very busy (and falling very behind on making Christmas presents!) with business on Etsy. I have made two custom hats this week like the one below:

I feel so fulfilled being able to bring a little bit of much needed extra income to our household, while making things I LOVE to make.

Hope the early winter is treating you all well.

December is flying by...

I just barely finished putting up all the decorations for the season. here are my two favorite spots in the house this year: the hutch in the dining room, loaded with vintage ornaments, and topped with a garland, lights, banner, and some metal stars I usually keep in the garden.
My dining room table. The center hurricane is filled with my collection of vintage glass ornaments. The rest with birch candles. The trees are a family heirloom. two glitter vintage-looking decorations both from Cracker Barrel, different years. Lots of candles. Pine scented.

The boys got a great laugh the other night when Ben put on Hunter's pajamas, and they were way too small.



And here's a nice everyday shot of Ben doing his homework with dad. He is reading everything in sight now.

Hope you're all having a fabulous December.

First Snow

We got our very first snow fall of the season last night. The boys have been begging to go sleeding all week, so we made sure to take them out this morning.
This is our town's sled hill:

And there go the boys...

Hunter working his way back up the hill.


Ben had to carry the sled up the hill each time.

Theo pushed them down the hill... and went down himself a few times.

I wore my favorite hat: Frosty The Snowman. I love the snow so much, so you could barely wipe the smile off my face all day.

A few more shots of the boys. Hunter is in front, and Ben is in the back.

Hunter

Benjamin

Happy December Snow!