2012 Blue Jeans Week 2 and history

2012 makes my 4th year in doing a picture-a-day type scrapbooking and documenting of our family's life.

2008 was the first year I tried it.  I was lucky enough to get one of the Project 365 kits.  Becky's first kit like this when she was with another company. 

This is a page out of that album--sorry it is sideways I could not get it turned.  It had a little different layout with the pictures and cards.

This is my 2009 Project Life album.

And this is a page layout from it.

My 2010 Project Life album

And a page from it.

And now I am very happy to be starting my 2012 album, and these are the pictures which will go in this week's layout. . .

Sunday:  We are Settlers of Catan fans at our house.  Even my 6-year-old likes to play.  Sunday evening we were finally able to all play because we bought the extension that allows 6 to play.  Lots of fun!

Monday:  Lately Miss O and Miss E have been into having their hair braided at night after they shower so it is all curly and poofy in the morning.  Tonight after Miss O got out of the shower Miss A was nice enough to braid all her hair.  Sadly, I forgot to get a picture of it in the morning, but it was cute, curly and poofy :)  She said everyone at school wanted to touch her hair.

Tuesday:  This white bowl with this turtle in it has been on my kitchen counter for the last week.  Mr J bought one of those water expanding animals with some Christmas money and has had it in the kitchen to see how big it would get.  Those are really not one of my favorite things, but he enjoyed looking each morning to see how much it had grown.

Wednesday:  The day started out about 60 degrees, and the kids and a friend had fun playing outside, but then the wind picked up and dropped the temperature about 30 degrees, so the kids came in freezing and in desperate need of hot chocolate which is something we are never without at our house. 

Thursday:  End of quarter awards day at school today.  Miss E and Mr J show off their school awards.  I don't think Mr J was too excited to share :)

Friday:  Wow, thank goodness it is Friday, and we can relax!  What a little man with both remotes!  Too funny!

Saturday:  Sorry for the far away, blurry picture, but Miss A was in a regional honors choir this weekend and with how far away we were, this is the best I could get.  They practiced all day and gave a performance in the afternoon.  She is right above the conductor's head with a black hair band on.  They were very good.

Hope you all had a great week!

Daily December 8: Holiday drinks

I think a yummy punch or drink makes things extra special.  During the holidays there seems to be no end to yummy drinks you can have.  Here are a few of our favorites.

You just can't beat good hot chocolate.  We have it almost daily at our house in the winter (and in the summer if you are Mr J, he has a cup almost every morning for breakfast).  We actually buy it in bulk in a 25 lb bag, and that lasts us about a year.  I found this new kind at our Wal-mart recently.  It is Stephens brand which I love, but can usually never find in my neck of the woods, so I was super excited when they had it.  If you can find it in your neighborhood, get a can for a cold winter's evening treat.

Cranberry Tea (without the tea) is a drink a dear friend made for us a few Christmases back.  It is nice and refreshing.  It is good either hot or cold.

Cranberry Tea (without the tea)

1 quart cranberry juice

2 quarts water

1 (6 oz) can frozen lemonade (pink or regular)

1 (6 oz) can frozen orange juice

1 cup red hots

1/4-1/2 tes ground cloves

Mix all ingredients in a sauce pan and heat until red hots are melted.  Keep refrigerated.  Shake well, pour into a mug or pan and heat to desired temperature.  A bit of sugar can be added if you want a sweeter taste. 

Love Egg Nog at our house too, but the calories and price are a little high if you go through it as fast as we do.  I was excited a few years ago when I found this recipe for "Egg" Nog, and it is basically egg nog flavored milk, and really good--a lot less fat and calories and no eggs. 

"Egg"  Nog

3 oz box of vanilla instant pudding

1/3 cup sugar

8 cups milk (skim, whole, 2% whatever you want)

2 tes vanilla

1/2 tes nutmeg

In a large bowl mix the first 4 ingredients until combined.  Stir in nutmeg.  Serve chilled and mix well before serving.