Our December, so far

This fall I was introduced to the idea of a "December Daily" scrapbook. Basically it is a mini scrapbook, in which you pre-decorate 25 pages, each numbered 1-25 to represent the days in December 'til Christmas. On each page you leave room for a picture and/or some journaling about what you did that day. My friend Chantel and I decided to make December Daily albums, and I have been adding my pictures and journaling all month.

One week Wyatt was sick, out of school for 4 days. Toward the end of his sickness both Craig and I got sick. It was interesting finding things to scrapbook about on those sick days, but there was always something. From sitting on the couch watching movies or looking at books, to making a break outside to check on the chickens, some days I scrapbooked pretty insignificant things. But it's some of those little everyday things that often don't make it into the scrapbook, so I think it will still be fun to look back on those things year after year.

Here are a few pictures of the slightly more exciting things that have been taking up our time this December:

Will and Wyatt building with legos in their room. They play this way for a long time. It's so nice.

Popping popcorn! Wyatt then took the time to string it and make a garland for his tree.
Daddy brought home a box of russell stover chocolates he got as a gift and we all took turns taste testing. This was one of those special, funny family times, when I look at the photo I laugh. We had so much fun doing something so simple. And I'm not sure what's up with Wyatt's get-up, or Anna's expression.
Wyatt's gingerbread masterpiece. This was a fun day, Anna and I got to visit his classroom for gingerbread house making day.
Me and my parents on my Birthday, December 17th. They, along with my siblings, came out that morning and took me to breakfast.

Later that day I got to watch Anna's preschool program and do some fun Christmas crafts and activities with her.

Anna was an angel in her first ballet recital, a performance of the Nutcracker at the Elsinore Theatre. This was definitely a highlight for me, this month!

Baking day was Monday. I made Russian Tea Cakes, Molasses Sugar Cookies, Almond Roca, and Marshmallow Cookies. We assembled plate after plateful to deliver to our neighbors and friends. A fun way to spread some Christmas cheer.

We stopped off at the capital building during one of our Salem trips. It is so pretty this time of year.

This one makes me laugh, the pose is totally inspired by Anna, and a lady passing by was laughing, too.

We finished off our day with a ride on the carousal!

So there you have it, just a few little bits and pieces of what we've been up to this month. I have thoroughly enjoyed December, and looking forward to the few days still left!

One Rose Fairy Princess

Complete with make-up

Add two Jedi's

Who wouldn't stop posing....

Plus another family of five (not pictured) an awesome Duck win, yummy chili and cornbread, a little time to scrapbook, and way too many Reese's peanut butter cups.

It was a winner of a evening!

Hunting 2009

So far, hunting for our family has really just been camping with a gun. So fear not, no deer carcas pictures. We spent 5 days in the great outdoors and I was so thankful for the beautiful weather up until the last day. It made for a perfect trip.

Snuggling by the campfire and eating

breakfast was our daily morning ritual.

Also, Wyatt really loved making silly faces. Will, not so much.
Posing on the big rock. Weapons? Check!

Campfire entertainment.

Quad rides...love Anna's expression. She loved it!

Cinnamon rolls in the '69 trailer on the last rainy morning. Yes, you read right, our trailer is 40 years old. Vintage baby.

Campfire kisses

The boys getting ready for a hunt

Cousins on a Quad

Memories made.

Fresh Produce, Home Projects &Taking a Break

These past two weeks my life has been threatened to be overcome by a multitude of fresh produce. I, however, have not been easily subdued.

All that fresh produce has led to things such as this:
As well as this:

Craig has spend his last two weeks working on projects around the house like this:

Painting our bathroom a new shade of green (and I finally framed the photos Jessie took last summer!)

Also, this...

Tearing down our old metal patio cover and bulding this new white, light, and beautiful one with his own two hands.

And (not pictured) taking EVERYTHING out of our shop/ laundry room, painting the whole area, including the cabinets, building new shelving, and finally, re-organizing everything!

So, Saturday we took a break from our projects and hit the beach with one of our favorite families.

It was fun making time for things like this:

And, of course, this.

Then coming home for this:

And all this, cuteness....

A little bit of this

And (what else???) more of this.

So, after a much needed break, I'm now planning on tackling this

And these.

Wish me luck!

Our Favorite Spot

We can't go to Grants Pass in August without a river day at our favorite "secret" spot. I think the first time we went (and I have pictures to prove it) was when Wyatt was about 4 months old, which would be 6 years ago! We have kept up the tradition every year. Being on the river is so beautiful and it always amazes me how peaceful and calm the world feels here.

.

My cutie! I love the reflections in his sunglasses.

Getting geared up for some rock jumpin'

Will in the water after a jump to Papa. I love this photo.

Wyatt was brave enough to jump this year! He and Will jumped together.

Wyatt, our photographer, snapped this one of the 2 of us.

Me and my boys, I sat in this spot for awhile and marveled and God's beautiful creation.

After we'd had enough sun and water for one day we headed home, and stopped off for pizza. It was a yummy way to end a perfect day.

By the way, our chickens are getting quite good at doing what they do best. While we were away they layed 7 eggs!

A few things we love about Ama & Papa's

This past week was spent in Grants Pass at Craig's parents house. Craig helped his mom paint the exterior of their home and it turned out so beautiful! The kids and I got a chance to do a little exploring, relax, and just play! Here are a few things we love about Ama & Papa's:

Swimming in the hot tub....the kids got in nearly every evening

Playing on the swings and feeling like a little kid again

Spotting this pretty mama and her babies in the yard

Playing barefoot in the grass

Swinging on swings some more, this one's a cute little antique swing, just Anna's size

Beautiful flowers in the garden

We also love:

Yummy meals fixed by Ama

Playing restaurant

Spending quality time with those we love!

Up next: The Illinois River