Heather Johnson Photography

Whew!  Getting closer to being done, getting harder to actually REMEMBER.  (That’s why this project, or any scrapbooking project for that matter, is better done in the moment.  I am too old to remember much after a few hours have passed anymore!)

Presenting day 14–a day all about our house, particularly Justin.  He hung up the most beautiful icicle lights this year, and has never smiled as wide as he did the day he got his new toy–the biggest snowblower on the block!  The journaling reads: Our new home. We lucked out and found the most wonderful neighborhood and couldn’t be happier! After living in an apartment the last couple of years, it was absolutely wonderful to have a home to decorate for the holidays and, yes, even a sidewalk to clear. Particularly when you have a new beefy snowblower! Justin is the envy of every guy on this block!

The image in today’s layout is from our Christmas card this year.  Don’t recognize it?  HA! That’s because they are still sitting here on my desk!!  What can I say?  I had a newborn this December…..

The journaling reads: Each day of December we have watched the bond between the two of you grow and grow.  We are so proud of the big sister you are Holly! You are such a great helper, and love your sister so much.  We can’t wait to see what the summer brings for the two of you–such fun!

Day twelve brings us to one of my favorite traditions I have started with Holly–creating gingerbread houses!  This year was really a half-hearted attempt at it (I was too exhausted to get additional candies or even keep the darn thing around for more than a couple days), but you would never guess that from the photos.  Holly just loves decorating and creating works of art with her food!  The journaling reads: For the second year in a row Holly decorated her very own gingerbread house.  As usual she had a great time, and was quite the taste-tester.  For every candy put on the house, one was put in her mouth! 

Three more days are completed!  First up, day number nine–Justin’s birthday.  The journaling reads: Today was Justin’s 39th birthday!  We celebrated with his parents, my mom, and our girls.  The menu included burgers from The Nook and a raspberry creme torte from Cafe Latte.  I think it’s safe to say all of his favorite things were present and accounted for!

Day number 10 brings us to a neighborhood party.  Love our neighborhood!  The journaling reads: Our neighbors, the Page’s, had a cookie decorating party this year.  The girls had such a great time decorating cookies, making crafts, and sampling the goodies.  The best part?  It is only about 35 steps away!  We can’t wait until next year!

Day number 11 (which was actually the 10th–but who would know that buy me!) is all about Cake and Holly’s big day out to the Disney on Ice show.  They had THE BEST time!  The journaling reads: Before mom left for home, she and Holly had “their own special day” at the Xcel Energy Center.  Disney’s Treasure Trove was in town!!!  Holly got all decked out in her Snow White dress, and Cake was all smiles.  They were in the fourth row–PERFECT seats–and had a great time together!

Since I have quite a few pages done, I thought I would speed things up a bit and display three pages today.  (This, too, may help speed me up in the finishing of this album.  Nothing like a little pressure you know?!)

Day 6 is a customary page for me–scenes from around the house.  I like capturing how we decorated, and seeing how it evolves year after year.  Was SO wonderful to see my Santa quilt on our bed!   If you have ever made a quilt (specifically a KING sized quilt) you know what an accomplishment that is to get it done, quilted, and in its rightful place.  Journaling for Day 6 reads: Here is a collection of photos from around the house this year.  We added some new pillows to our collection, as well as more frames and ornaments.  But my favorite? Finally putting my Santa quilt on the bed!!  (After being “under construction” for the past two years, it’s definitely worth the wait!)

Day Seven is very simple, and very indicative of our December this year.  Lots of lots of cuddling and nights in.  The journaling on this page: Daddy with His Girls, December 2011.

Day eight was spent running around in preparation for Justin’s birthday the following day. We had gifts and cakes to buy!  (Nothing homemade this year, unfortunately.)  Like I have said time and time again these past few weeks–I plead newborn!)  Day eight journaling reads: The day before Justin’s birthday was a day of shopping for us girls.  Mom, Holly, Marie and I went to the Mall of America to buy a gift and then topped it off with lunch at Cafe Latte.  Fun was had by all!