Well 2012 is starting off not the best. I have been sick since New Years, but I just went to the doctor (again) today, so I hope things begin looking up for me. On the other hand, at the end of 2011, I made what turned into one of my favorite scrapbooks. Unfortunately, I made it for someone else, so I had to let it go. Ah well. Here are some of my favorite pages:

July 2011

October 2011

November 2011

It was a book of highlights from 2011, I forced myself to focus on some of the highlights of the last year and it showed me, that we, as a family, have much to be grateful for and I am so glad to be spending these days – the ins and the outs of each day – with these nut jobs.

I hope the recipient liked it too!

We’re still working through our Christmas Countdown, which we’ve done for the last few years. I like to change it up each year by adding new activities and things to do or see. This year I added the making of popcorn garland for the tree. It was very simple. Pop some plain popcorn, add a needle and thread and string it up. That’s it. The kids loved it, I loved it as we all sat around – gasp – talking to each other. It was a fun evening. Some proof:

So fun! Try it with your kids tonight!

It’s not too often that we get to decorate the tree in shorts, but this year was quite warm when we were putting the tree up, so that’s what we did, tree and shorts.

Everyone got in on the action, looking for prime spots, hanging their favorite ornaments, smiling at the memories each ornament brings.

All of it makes me smile, and enjoy the family time and memories we are making.

We all worked hard, until we had the most beautiful tree, we ever did see, at least for this year. Well, almost all of us..

Kay did what she does best. Hope you are each slowing down and enjoying the holidays!

I didn’t know what I was looking for when I set off down the path of selling our old townhouse looking for greener pastures – more room to spread and play. I knew we needed it – all of us. What I didn’t realize how much we ALL needed it. If I wasn’t in love with this house before, I know that I am totally in love with the house now. And becoming more so each day. I have questioned my decision at times – to push for this – to work so hard for this, because none of it was easy.

Getting the old house set to sell was hard, packing up was hard, finding a new place was hard and we looked around every curve for the right one. I know I have thanked J for hanging in there with me through all of this, but I am not sure anyone can know how hard it was for each of us. We fought each step, at times each other, but when I see this joy and happiness, I know it was all worth it. We made the right choices, we are coming out on the other side and I know, each of us is better and happier for it. I know how lucky I am and I love to see how happy each of my boys are – in even doing the simplest task around here, we are finding joy.

These smiles tell me, we are doing something right. And I am grateful.

We just did a family Thanksgiving dinner this year, since we are still getting settled and unpacked in the new house. It was nice, with no pressure and I only made dishes I knew we’d like to have as leftovers. We got our usual Honey Baked ham and I added The Pioneer Woman’s Sweet Potatoes, Ultimate Green Beans, and Slow cooker Mashed potatoes. I also added in stuffing, corn, cinnamon apples, and rolls.

The Ultimate Green Beans was a new recipe to me, as I was looking for something other than the traditional green bean casseroles that you see every holiday. I am not a fan of that one. This one was delicious and pretty easy to make – it is all made on the stove top, so great if you are running out of over room and the green beans are steamed and with the kick of red pepper flakes you can make it as spicy (or not) as you like. Perfect addition.

I like to begin the holidays with The Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls. This is my second year making them and I think I keep getting better at it. Thankfully I have my niece to help me – this would be hard to make alone. This is a huge recipe so we are able to share the love with local friends, which is a nice way to say thanks for being my friend this year!

So that was it, a nice low key weekend, with a lovely meal and lots of leftovers to munch on as we continued to organize and unpack. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!