Mired in a Mess of 277 Photos & 7 Trees

Why do we do it to ourselves? Why do we make it so dang hard? It's JUST another day. It's a day we should focus on the birth of Christ and enjoy our families. But, each and every year, we over do it and stress ouselves out. Our kids will enjoy themselves no matter whether they get that toy they had to have, or not, everyone will get more than enough food in their bellies, and families will join together amidst all the trimmings. Why do we do it? This is why I did. A photo essay of Christmas Eve...

Lots of giggles...



Lots of eating (even new foods)...

Lots of Christmas decorations, new and old...

Lots of unbridled joy...

Lots of family time...

Lots of new jammies (all from Gymboree)...

Lots of waiting...

Not enough of this...

Yes, I know it's more Sassafras. I just can't help it. I would go to a 12 step program for my compulsion, only I don't want to! Talk to you soon!

Can't Beat 'em? May as Well Join 'em

The holiday/birthday season continues to kick my arse. The twins continuing to boycott their nap continues to kick my arse even harder. With that said, I'm lucky to get ready for Christmas, much less get my scrap on. So, I apologize for the light on the scrappy posts. But, I will be back with scrappy bells on come January 1, 2010. So much up my sleeves, I tell ya.

The out of town packages went out last week. The dreaded, I mean wonderful Christmas card/photocard/letter went out Monday. So, that leaves eating, I mean baking goodies with the cherubs. And, spending time with my folks who are back in VA to spend Christmas with my brood. So blessed they'll travel for me, cuz Lord knows, I can't travel with this crew. The Coca Cola Company doesn't make enough Diet Coke for that!!

Here's Reagan the morning of the ER evening. Darn that Sassy roughhousing...

Quick! She's coming!

Bribery works wonders to keep them out from underfoot for a few... (don't ask about the hat)

I will not touch, I will not touch, I will..

I should save this for the next No Faces Friday...

These pictures are just waiting to be scrapped...

One bit of scrappiness. Did this for a Design Team call... Love how it turned out.

Ketchup is One of the Four Food Groups

Ok, whoever made up this year's calendar, has a sick sense of humor. As if November/December aren't time-crunched enough, they push Turkey Day back almost into December. Phew. I'm soo behind I may never catch up. But, I'll try.

Here's that sweet Melissa Frances miniBook I made for All About Scrapbooks. Used Making Memories' Mistletoe line with some Vintage Findings thrown in...

Julia's cheer squad finally found an evening to get together. It was FULL of this. Boy, do these girls know how to clear out a Pizza hut...

We loove this girl... Oh yea, we had another birthday. P.J. turned nine of the 5th of December. If I had to do it all over again, I would NOT have had 2 birthdays smack dab in the middle of the "holiday" season. Oh well,no take backs now, huh?

I think he liked this...

P.J. trying Dad's trick. Tsk tsk Daddy. Check out cake # 5 of 6 during Boys' Birthday month...

Oh yea, as if I didn't have anything else going on...

Seriously?!? Who knew they even made pink potties?!? She was all over this... Sullivan just wanted to figure out how the whole thing worked...

P.J. enjoyed a really special party to celebrate the Big Nine. We had 10 kids out for an evening of pizza and Fantastic Mr. Fox(cute, clever,and odd new movie). A good time was had by all...

Cake #6...

Brr...

I've by no means gotten caught up, but at least I gave you a peek of our happenings. What have YOU been up to?

**** Thank you so much for your comments on my recent posts. I treasure each and every one of them and each and every one of you.

Still more to share, will try to be back soon.

Check That, I'm Losing the Battle

No, really. The twins are, dare I utter the words... trying to give up their naps. This is abject torture, I tell you. You know how 2 year olds are. You can never take your eyes off of them while they are awake lest they play tea party with your Lenox china or eat styrofoam cups out of the trash or dismantle your Christmas trees in half the time it takes you to mantle it. So, this no nap thing is seriously cramping my style. At naptime, I would typically clean house at warp speed to allow myself some crafty time if I get all my checkmarks on my To Do List.

So, I'm dealing with tired and cranky and clingy 2 year olds. My days are now filled with: MommaMommyMommaMommaMomMommaMommyMommaMomMomMomMomma-MommaMommyMommyMommaMomomMomMommaMomMomMommyMommyMomma!!!

Well, you get the picture. So, I was really happy that I found a little scrappy time amidst the "Mommas" to play with the wonderful Simply Obsessed December kit featuring Collage Press papers. Scrumdiliicious!!! I created 2 layouts and 2 little altered ditties. I haven't taken this year's Christmas photo, so, I will add that to the wall hanging when I get to it. Lots of stuff left. So, I may be posting some additional projects if I can get out from under the "Mommy's".

Without further adieu...

Yep, this is the Prima packaging. I used it again...

So Long Friend

After eighteen months and 113 projects, it was time to say farewell to Mosh Posh. As a loyal subscriber since August of 2006, I have loved Mosh Posh and all that Kristen does for what seems like forever. But, all good things must come to an end. I am grateful to Kristen for giving me the opportunity to play with her kits and in turn to get to know so many wonderful designers and most of all, some amazing subscribers. I'm not going anywhere, I'm working on a ton of new stuff for the New Year. My DH is headed out again to sea in March so stay tuned for lots of craftiness and more drama from our Party of Five.

Here are my last projects for the Gallery at Mosh Posh. You can find the cards I made HERE.