Just popping in to say hello and Brrrr! It’s COLD out there. Old Man Winter arrived this week and it hasn’t been pretty. We didn’t get much snow, but the wind has been bone-chilling. We’re actually having a heat wave today — it’s 20F (6C) out there now. I’m staying in today!
I didn’t get much done this week – mostly just going to work and trying to stay warm. I did finish one little project. When I was a freshman in college, one of my roommates brought a family book to show us. Her mother had taken all of her five children to see Santa every year and had compiled a book of Santa pictures. I loved seeing their family grow right before my eyes — from the very first little baby on Santa’s lap to five big grown children crowding around Santa for a picture. That book had a big impact on me and I knew I wanted to have one someday when I had a family of my own.
So now, after many years, I finally have one. (Well, two – one for each boy.) It was a lot of work over the years to remember to go and see Santa (we forgot one year — I remembered on Christmas Day and by then Santa is all packed up and resting for the next year). And getting teenage boys to go and sit on Santa’s lap wasn’t easy either, but they’re sweet boys and they don’t like to see their mother cry. They’re very simple books — I didn’t want a lot of embellishments to take away from what’s really important — those Santa pictures. I love looking through them, but it does bring a tear to my eye as I know that having completed books means that the boys are all grown up now. {Very Big Sigh}
Ok. I’m outta here. Must. Decorate. Today. You should see the front porch. The glitter bells are hanging on the front door and the snow frosted pumpkins are on the steps. Classy.
Have a Great Weekend!
XOXO,
Anna
I love that idea. I’ve been working on one but pictures are scattered everywhere and I need to get busy because now I have grandchildren!!
I never think to get going on it until Christmas and then am too busy to make it up.
Merry Christmas!
Chuckle-chuckle oh, the mixing of pumpkins and Christmas, been there. I wish we would have taken the kids every year but I cherish the few pictures I have. Nice you have them all in books.
Thanks for the snow pictures!
That is a great idea. I will have to go through my albums and pull those special photos out. This would be a good gift for the children when they are old enough to appreciate them. Thanks for the idea, Brandie
Now that is a very neat idea. Dang it. Why didn’t I think of that?! I’m sure I have a picture from each Christmas for all the boys, just not with Santa.
I love that Santa album idea! And you banner gave me a chuckle…so creative and pretty. I love all things pepperminty. Stay warm and Merry Christmas!!!
I keep trying to make an album of Christmas pictures for my husband but I’m having real trouble tracking down the photos!
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing it, maybe I can start it since my children are still pretty young! P.S. I love your header/picture thingy and the dot background. So festive!
What a wonderful idea! I liked your simple page ideas-and an album of only Santa photos. Love it. :)
The Santa book is a great idea. Your boys are kind to agree to do that as teenagers! I can totally understand how making the books would bring a few tears.
A few of my neighbors have pumpkins on their porches and I’ve been tempted to snatch them and throw them in the bin :o)
We’re freezing too. And we don’t have ANY snow to show fo it.
I have yet to start my decorating. I may venture into the cold garage and go get a couple of things.
What a great idea!!! I always enjoy doing a “themey” scrapbook like that.
We’re doing pretty good in the decoration department but I really should have the boys take the dead mums off my porch, LOL!
I hear your BRRR…we haven’t made it about 10* all week. I have a stack of Santa photos waiting for an album. We’ve gone every year since the triplets were born. I love looking at the girls and how they change each year. Not so fond of watching myself change. LOL! I’ve only had trouble getting my two big girls to sit on Santa’s lap one time. Santa was their art teacher from school! They were so creeped out that we had to come back another day. Go figure.
Happy day,
Cassie
Oh Brrrr indeed! It’s suddenly gone very cold here too and I just want to curl up under a quilt and snooze.
Your albums are such a special idea and I’m sure they’ll be dearly treasured by your boys. Lovely :)
xxx
What a wonderful idea, Anne! Those are real tresures.
The thought of taking teenage boys to see Santa cracks me up! The simplicity of the albums really lets their picture do the talking.
Stay warm and have a good weekend!
Anna
I dont think my fridge goes to -20F.. its 30C here today, a COOL day for us suffering with summer (30C approx 92F)Christmas is only going to be around this apparently which is a welcome change to last year (and the year before, and definatley the year before that)
Merry christmas to you…
Lissa
HOT Australia
There are mumblings that your weather system is suppose to make its way to the UK in time for Christmas…I think I might get extra rations in just in case! :o)
That is a fun idea. Time passes too quick, doesn’t it? We have to go to Bronner’s soon to see the worlds’ best Santa. Have you ever visited Frankenmuth, Anna? Okay, so I was pumping gas tonight…16F. I thought I just might die. My face got all crunchy…for lack of a better term. I love your book.
Oh, I am all choked up now. They do grow up way too fast! What a wonderful idea. I am trying to keep warm here too.
Ohhhh, I feel that! Its sad when your kiddo’s are getting all grown up. Love the Santa book idea. I also have some pumkins still mingling with the Christmas lights. Oh well, at least we DO something:)
What a lovely idea! I am sure that they will cherish the books. My parents used to take us to Glasgow every year to see Santa – the excitement of a train journey, the Christmas lights in the “big city” – but no photos..
Can you send the snow to Oz??? and what a wonderful idea for your family’s Santa photos! Miss Nineteen de-bearded Santa when she was 8 months old – her first Santa photo – and our family was black-listed! *vbg*
That is just the best idea. Love it!
Oh my, a winter wonderland! Last week we had our first snowfall on the mountains here in Southern California, what a site to see. Now we are having lots of rain (which probably means more snow on the horizon. I like the simplicity of your Santa books. What a treat for your sons and SweetiePie!
It’s a balmy 27 degrees right now!
I attempted to get the stuff for the bells this week — could only find giant bells that won’t fit on the front door and non-sale glitter ($10 a jar?!?! EEK!) so I am putting it off for another day…
Neato. I am sorry your boys are grown, but good job :) This reminds me of two things. One is this website my brother sent recently: http://www.sketchysantas.com/ ha ha ha, sorry, had to share it! And secondly, when we got married, someone gave us an article about a couple that had taken a picture together every year on their anniversary. One year it was just her, as he was in the war, and another year she was expecting, etc. We started out doing that but did not follow through too well. Although, as our anniversary is the week after Christmas, we often have something close. Anyway, lovely books :)
Karen
A great idea – we have two girls and we do that each year, as well – some years I have had to PAY the oldest to do it – grrrr!!! Have a nice, warm day inside and enjoy the view out your window – not one we have very often! ME
Your Santa book is a simply WONDERFUL idea!!! I wish I’d though of that ;o). So lovely to see all your pretty snow, it’s quite the opposite here as we’ve been having unseasonably HOT weather. I’m quite enjoying it though as I handle the heat MUCH better than I handle the cold …. brrrr!!!
Hugs,
Joy :o)
What a great idea, I’m sure it is a little hard though, knowing your kids are all grown up. Your snowy day looks pretty!
By the way, Anna, I was supposed to take a Bunny Hill class recently. We have had some family problems this past fall/early winter and wasn’t able to schedule it. Anne told me that you sent a hug my way via Bridget! I’m so disappointed now that I couldn’t attend.
Well, here is a big hug back to you!
((((((((xo))))))))
Sweet!
Jody
As usual…a wonderful idea. But I was not then and am not now as ORGANIZED as you. Between the craftiness and organization (and humor) I not sure which I love best aboutcha. You’d make a great wife…Try to stay warm, sweet friend.
Always, Robin
How bittersweet, Anna. You are blessed to have two sweet and cooperative boys, going to see Santa as teenagers. The books are wonderful treasures.
It’s cold here too! Keep warm. XO
Oh I know the cold, stay warm xoxoxo Clarice
Love the snowy pictures!!! And what a terrific idea…I need to get better at keeping our books up to date!
We are freezing too, and only a dusting of snow. We might get a huge pile of snow tonight. Keep warm and Have a Merry Christmas.
Oh Anna! That photo of your grown up boys with Father Christmas is just fab! The book idea is such a lovely one and I’m sure the boys will love sharing it with their children and grandchildren in the future!
Lucy x
I love the idea of a book of christmases. How fun. They will really get to an age where they cherish it.
I love the idea of your Santa book – much too late for me to copy it now though :( Those glitter bells are so pretty, your wreath must be the envy of the neighbourhood. Your sugar cookie bake-out soundede such fun, it would make a great annual tradition. Cookies aren’t a Christmas tradition in the UK, mince pies are the thing over here.
Hey Anna! That’s how I scrapbook too. I like it simple and sweet!
We had a heat wave move through here today, it got to a balmy 35, it felt so warm compared to the subzero temps we had last week!
great idea! too bad my kids are GROWN! i’ll do it with the unborn grandchildren!
what a great idea for the santa book! i love that you kept it nice and simple. how sweet.
What a wonderful and precious idea – hey does that creative juice ever dry up there missy :). Seriously – this book is a treasure –
Holiday Hugs – Mrs. Farmhouse XOXO
Love that book Anna.And you know I LOVE that snow!!