2013 December Daily: Day 15

Day 15 was all about Ashley's school program.  My title card inspiration came from Ali Edwards use of this same card from the Studio Calico December Daily kit.  I blocked out Ashley's schools name for privacy.  Also there is some glitter residue on my scanner that these layouts picked up....I'll add cleaning it to my to do list!

2013 December Daily: Day 14

More snow!  Slowly but surely keeping up with this album.  I love love love it!

2013 December Daily: Day 13

A big day for sure!  We decided to surprise the girls with a ride on the Polar Express.  Really it was my idea and Dave grudging went along.  Ashley loves the movie and Allison loves trains so it was a win win.  I would totally recommend the Polar Express on the Branson Scenic Railway.  We just road coach and it was worth the money.  They started out by reading from the Polar Express book and then there was cookies and hot chocolate.  The conductor marked the girls tickets with their initials and the workers sang carols.  Santa visited and gave each girl a bell and he stopped by later for photos too.  All the while we were headed to the North Pole (which was kinda cheesy, it was just another train station with Santa's workshop and dancing elves).  We were on the train for over an hour and the girls loved looking out the windows at all the Christmas lights along the way.

2013 December Daily: Day 12

Super simple today.....I am so so thankful for Amazon prime and the free shipping that comes with it.  I finished all my shopping on Amazon today and I honestly don't know how I would get it done if I had to go store to store.  Such a huge blessing!

P.S. I am a HORRIBLE speller...spell check is also a blessing.  I realized I misspelled thankful on my journaling card.  Do I change it? Honestly I don't have time to re-print the card and do it over...my kids will get a chuckle out of it (I hope) in the future.  Also I am sure it is not my first or last mistake in this book.

2013 December Daily: Day 11

Day 11 was another day with not much going on.  I documented our nightly ritual of reading Christmas books.

2013 December Daily: Day 10

Not much happened on day 10 so I just went with some filler pictures of the tree and new ornaments.  Glad to get it documented into the album.

2013 December Daily: Day 9

The Feast of St. Nicholas was last Friday but because of the snow the package was a little late.  The girls didn't even notice.  When I was a kid my family always celebrated St. Nicks and my mom keeps the tradition going each year for my girls.  They were pretty excited with the candy and crafts.  Since it was a snow day Ashley didn't have any homework so they spent the night at the table putting together their new crafts.

2013 December Daily: Day 8

After church we visited Ellie in the nursing home.  She was really happy to see us.  My favorite part...David was telling Ellie about how much Ashley talks, she wont shut up sometimes, etc. AND Ellie reminded David how he never shut up as a kid.  Ellie got a kick out of remember Davids many antics.

The tis the season card was cut from free files from Holly McCaig.

2013 December Daily: Day 7

I am keeping up with the album just falling behind on the blog updates.  My computer decided last night to stop working correctly.  My awesome husband got me all fixed up but it slowed me down.  Also the fact that all this snow had our internet all messed up until they got out to fix it today didn't help either.

Day 7....Dave's mom always kept flowers on the family grave sites which we are trying to continue the tradition.  First up Jamie...now we just need to get the others done too.  It would help if we didn't need to traipse through a foot of snow.  Come on sun!

P.S. Jamie love love loved the sight of prefect snow.  She always wanted to keep her snow free of car tires, kids feet, tracks, etc.  So it made us smile thinking about if she was mad that we had to step in the pretty snow to put flowers on her grave :)

2013 December Daily: Day 6

My first two page spread!  It snowed almost 8 inches Thursday night and was still snowing Friday morning.  All in all I think we got around a foot of snow.  Of course it was a snow day so we spent all day at home with a little time outside playing.  I did accomplish most of my Christmas decorating today so that was a good thing about being stuck at home.

2013 December Daily: Day 5

It started sleeting mid morning and then turned to snow, snow and more snow.  Ashley's school called around 11:30 and said they were letting out early because of the weather.  So David and I headed into town to pick the girls up.  The roads weren't too bad yet but the snow hadn't really started.

I pulled inspiration for this layout from Maggie Holmes Day 1 as part of her 25 days class at Studio Calico.

ETA:  More tweaking... by adding to Days 3 & 4 I now had space to add a journal card to Day 5.  The top pocket is the back of a clear card.

2013 December Daily: Days 3&4

Two very non Christmas days.  But I look at this album as documentation of our lives during December and not just a Christmas album.  So I am good with it.  Since not much happened I decided to just put both days together.

Day 3:  Ay Yi Yi our poor puppy is getting old.  Today was Trinity's tenth birthday. We treated her to her second vet visit in a week.  Her right eye has been red and leaky since last week and it just wasn't getting better.  The vet put her under and did a thorough exam of her eye to see if there was anything in there.  There was not and they think she might have glaucoma, which is not a good diagnosis.  We have some drops so hopefully they will help.

Day 4:  Allison's treat to finally being potty trained was gymnastics.  We had been promising it for awhile and she has done great with the potty the last month so off she went.  She did great and followed the coaches directions and somewhat payed attention.  By the end of the class she could do a flip hanging onto the bars all by herself,  she was pretty excited the first time she did it!

ETA:  It seems like I am always tweaking my layouts, adding something here or there.  Well I ended up adding a half of a page protector to the right side so I could add some filler cards.  The little bubble tree is inspired by this layout by Chiara.

2013 December Daily: Day 2

I think my mantra this year is going to be Keep It Simple!  This one came together pretty quick and for that I am thankful.   My picture printed out pretty badly so the next time I print I will probably try again and maybe add a wood speech bubble to the photo.  If I do update I will update this post.

Man do kids have great memories....Ashley came down the stairs this morning inquiring about if the elf came last night.  I guess all the kids at school talk about what their elves have been up to so she wanted to share her story too.  Allison found it first and then went and got Ashley.  There was lots of jumping up and down and giggles.  It was pretty sweet listening to Ashley tell Allison the story of the elf and about his magic.  I wonder what Dave is going to get into this year?

ETA:  I updated my elf photo and added some wood veneer.

2013 December Daily: Day 1

Welcome December!  I am again doing an Ali Edwards style December Daily album.  This is my fourth year (2009 blog only, 2011 album and 2012 album).  I am planning on using the Studio Calico kit plus bits and pieces from my own collection.  I did not do any foundation pages early, I just plan on picking and choosing as I go.  That has worked for me in the past and I hope it does this year too.  Last year I did a two page spread for everyday and this year I am just going to go with the flow and pick based on the number of photo/stories.  I do have all my "stuff" pulled together in one place to make it easy to go and I can't forget my Selphy photo printer which is the main reason I can stay on top of this project.  So here we go.....

Yesterday was a travel day coming home from St. Louis.  David's family and the Wiseman family have been celebrating the Thanksgiving weekend for years and years in St. Louis.  All the ladies and kids enjoyed the beautiful weather on Saturday at the St. Louis Zoo. Oh boy do I miss having this great free attraction in my backyard.  The animals were out in full force and the kiddos ran the whole time we were there.  We capped the night off with a steak dinner at Clancy's Irish Pub.

When we got home Ashley only asked me 10,000 times if we could open up the advent calendar.  I only made her wait a little.  Ashley and Allison seem to be excited about the pending Christmas holiday.

Holiday Magic

Nothing like scrapbooking a year behind. This photo was one year ago this past weekend.  I used my Studio Calico November Cuppa kit and this layout by Celeste Vermeend as inspiration.

Look for my December Daily pages to start coming.  I haven't technically started yet but I have it all ready to go!

Currently: December

Watching: Blacklist (new favorite show)

Reading:  Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns by Lauren Weisberger 

Listening:  The Bob and Tom show

Making:  December Daily day 1

Feeling: Busy

Planing: Christmas gift buying (ugh)

Loving: It's Christmas season

First snow

Yep it snowed today.  No real accumulation but there were flurries.  I guess it is fitting that I finished up this layout last night about snow last year.  I used Allison Davis' current sketch week sketch and my Studio Calico November kit Cuppa.  This was my first layout with my November kit...I am behind this month.

Babies

A quick layout of our friends and families new babies born in 2012.  Minus Liam who got his own cute page and was born on the very last day of the year!  I used my Studio Calico October Antiquary kit.  My November kit should arrive today!!!!

Currently: November

Watching: Mad Men Season 4

Reading:  Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

Listening:  "What does a Fox Say?" on repeat from Ashley

Making:  A kit for my December Daily

Feeling: Busy... I can't believe it's November

Planing: I leave in less than two weeks for Napa Valley!!!!!

Loving: The fall colors

Creatively

Eeeek I need to start scrapbooking more current pictures of my kids, Allison looks so tiny in this picture.  I used my Studio Calico October kit Antiquary and this layout by Ania-Maria Wolniak as inspiration.

Florida 2012

I normally do a mini album for the Cowan Family vacations, but I don't have many photos from this vacation.  So a quick layout it is!  I used a Scrapbook Generations sketch day kit.

I mostly remember lots of beach time this vacation and the swimming pool too.  We had a wonderful condo right on the beach and we pretty much spent the whole vacation there. The Wisemann Family also joined us so there was lots of fun and big family dinners.  A close family friend Marcia got to visit us also.  David, Michael and I got to Scuba dive and I remember dinner out at the The Old Florida Fish House....yum yum.

Smores

Since the Cardinals had the night off in the National League Division Series I could get some scrapbooking done.  Go Cards!!!! Let's get it wrapped up tonight!  I pulled out Allison Davis' newest sketch and my Studio Calico October kit Antiquary.  So quick and such a fun layout.

Sweet and Silly

On my gosh look at that little girl.  She was so tiny!  Now she is almost three and has an attitude. Ei yi yi!  I got to dig into my Studio Calico October kit Antiquary and I used this layout by Marcy Penner for inspiration.

Currently: October

Watching: Parenthood (my old favorite) and The Blacklist (my new favorite)

Reading:  Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Listening:  ZZ Top Cheap Sunglasses on US97

Making:  Muffins lately (apple and pumpkin...yum!)

Feeling: Busy

Planing: A trip to Napa Valley for Tonya's 40th

Loving:  The cooler temperatures and Schlafly Pumpkin Ale

Smile

A really quick layout I did last night to use up my September Studio Calico kit Double Scoop.  I used the this Sunday sketch for inspiration.  I am ready for some new papers to play with... bring on my October kit!

Oktoberfest

A quick layout I completed last night with my September Studio Calico kit Double Scoop.  Every year we try to make it to St. Louis the weekend my parents' church has the annual Oktoberfest. Why? Because they have free pony rides and well German beer!  This was last years photos and Allison looks so tiny.  Where has my baby girl gone?  It's this weekend and sadly we won't be making the trip, see ya next year ponies!

National Tiger Sanctuary

I found some time this week to play along with Allison Davis sketch week and used this great sketch.

 

I used my Studio Calico September kit Double Scoop.

The National Tiger Sanctuary is a must see.  If you are ever near the Branson/Springfield area make the time to stop in and see the tigers.  I had heard about the place and put it on my mental to do list and then a Groupon (or something similar) came up and I jumped at the chance to buy 2 for 1 tickets.  We made the trip on a Friday when Ashley was out of school.  The tour guide we had was very knowledgeable about the animals and even knew their habits, likes, dislikes etc.  All of the animals were rescued from homes of people who no longer wanted them or retired show animals.  It was amazing how up close you could get to these animals, we were within 3 to 5 feet....so cool!  I know we will definitely be returning.

Halloween 2012

My last Halloween 2012 layout using my Studio Calico September Licorice kit and this layout by Allie for inspiration.

Now I need to start using up the main kit and start planning what they want to dress up as this year.  Allison school's family fair is 10/2...really that is WAY to early in my book.

Pumpkin Carving

Yeah another layout spread done this week!  I used my Studio Calico Licorice September add on.  I have one more Halloween layout left...can I squeeze another layout out of this add-on? We shall see.

Boo

I was excited to get Studio Calico's Halloween Licorice add on this month.  I have all of last years Halloween pictures to scrap and I knew this would help me get them done.  I used this layout by Nicole Samuels for inspiration.  I already have the next Halloween layout started!  I hope to share it soon.

Friends

A quick and easy layout with my August Studio Calico Marks & Co kit.  But such a great photo taken by Ann.

Currently: September

Watching: Ugh there is nothing on TV right now, come on Fall TV

Reading:  Conflict of Interest by Scott Pratt

Listening:  Quite house! (the kids are back to school!)

Making:  Raspberry jam, salsa (its canning time)

Feeling: Excited I sold almost 2000 manhours for work last week!!!!

Planing: A weekend getaway withe Dave for our 10 year anniversary

Loving:  My life!

Liam

Ahhh what a cutie!  Recently I won a package of just released goodies by commenting on a Two Peas in a Bucket video series!!!  All the scrapbooking supplies were from the new Studio Calico Storytime release which included some boy paper.  Well not having any boys around here to scrapbook I grabbed this picture of my Godson and got started right away.  I used this layout by Kelly Noel as inspiration.  So it pays off to comment on those blogs!

Baby boy

After four girls (Ashley, Kaitlin, Hannah and Allison) the Cowan family welcomed the first boy!  Mind you this was last November but we were so excited when Susan and Chris found out they were expecting a boy.  Baby James as we all call him has lots of big sisters and girl cousins to mother him.

I used my Studio Calico August kit Marks & Co. and this layout by Valerie Bishop for inspiration.

Farm Girls

It's hay time again and the girls love riding in the tractor with Grandpa when he bales.  They went a couple of times the first cut and Grandpa started his second cut this weekend.  So I see some more tractor time in our future.

I dug into my Studio Calico August kit Marks & Co. and I have another layout on my desk now.  I hope to share it soon.

2nd grader

Back to School! Ashley started the second grade today.  I can’t believe we have a second grader in the house, it seems just like yesterday she was starting kindergarten.

Ashley at 7.5 years

•   Loves to swim (swimming without a life jacket in the pool, swimming underwater, jumping off the high dive)
•  Learning to water ski (mastered the tube and tried knee boarding)
• Reading chapter books (Junie B Jones is a favorite)
•  Favorite TV show is Full House
• Loves gymnastics (cartwheels, handstands, back bends all by herself, just moved up one level)
• Whines (ugh!)
• Helps her Dad in the garden
• Plays fairly well with her sister (but they have their moments)
• Chores include setting the table, dishes to the dishwasher, collecting trash, taking out the recyclables, gather laundry and helping sort, fold socks, feed Trinity
• Girl Scout Brownie
• Wants her hair long (no cutting allowed)
•  Doesn't listen (does this ever stop???)
• Loves crab legs, salmon, steak (high dollar foods!)
• Best friends are Aidan and Abby

Catch of the Day

Don't look to close if you are squeamish.

Whew I finally sat down and finished a layout.  This one has been sitting on my desk for over a week.  I used my Studio Calico August July kit Valley High.  I am glad to move on from this kit, August looks much more promising!

David David David....Late one night (after the kids were in bed) David accidentally put a large fishing hook through his finger.  He was drunk enough that he just wanted to push it through by himself but we all convinced him to go to the ER and let them take care of it.  Funny thing is the doctor really didn't let the pain killer take affect before she pushed it through.  Then she had troubles clipping the end since it was such a heavy gauge.  Meanwhile I was sitting in the corner fanning myself trying not to pass out.  Let's not do this again!

Currently: August

Watching: Top Chef Masters (yeah!)

Reading:  Defending Jacob by William Landay

Listening:  Bob and Tom on the radio

Making:  Not much lately, need to get back to some scarpbooking

Feeling:  Happy

Planing: Back to school (supply lists, cleaning uniforms, new shoes)

Loving:  All the fresh vegetable from our garden

Allison 2 years and 9 months

A snapshot of you right now:

• Otay is one of your favorite words
• Loves to dance (mostly jumping up and down)
• Loves to sing (ABCs, Twinkle Little Star, Old McDonald)
• Struggling with potty training
• Sleeps through the night 8 PM -7AM (sometimes sneaking into Mom and Dads bed)
• Still napping one to two hours in the afternoon
• Rocks at puzzles (just started introducing traditional cut puzzles)
• Knows your ABCs, count to 15
• Loves the pool; swimming, jumping off the side, putting your face underwater
• Enjoys the lake; swimming, tubing, boat riding
• Wants to do gymnastics like Ashley (soon baby girl)
• Left handed
• Playing with baby dolls
• Riding a tricycle
• Wants to read the same Elmo book at bedtime "Wait for me"
• Sleeps with a blankie (not particular to one, we rotate threw about four)
• Daredevil (loves to jump from one thing to the next)
• Parrot (repeats Ashley's words, actions, etc.)
• Fearless
• Loves babies (James, Liam and Emma)
• Always asking for milk (little bit of milk Mom)
• Why? Why? Why? so many questions

Oh boy is this little girl a treat. We sure do love her to bunches.

I scrapbooked!

My Studio Calico July kit Valley High has left me a little uninspired.  So I started looking through the gallery and found this layout by Robyn Werlich and scraplifted it.  So maybe now I can get a few more layouts done with this kit before my August kit arrives.

Allison loves story time at Barnes & Nobel.  When Ashley is in school we go on most Friday mornings (looking forward to starting this back up soon).  They always have a theme and read two stories and have a craft.  We have got to meet Curious George, Corduroy and The Cat in the Hat.  Allison has not gotten up the courage to get a hug from any of them she just prefers to watch from a distance.