Why I blog...

I love giving and receiving comments on blogs---sharing thoughts and support; keeping in touch that way.

And then there's the main reason.... last week I spent 3 consecutive days putting my first book together based on my blog.

I used Blurb and their BookSmart program. It felt GREAT organizing my 2008 blog posts and making this book for my family. I left out a few misc. posts, and focused on our family memories of '08. There's a sidebar on the left of BookSmart that links my iPhoto albums, my blog posts, and the imported photos or photos that I posted on my blog. I loved being able to easily add more photos, or better quality photos than the flickr photos I've used now and then. It was easy to edit the book, choose from lots of layouts, and create my own. For the last page I copy/pasted the '08 "quotables" from my right sidebar. I was amazed that in 3 days I pulled together an entire year (although the laundry sure piled up). I'm going to order one hard cover copy for Wayne and I and one softcover copy for the kids to thumb through whenever. As the kids get older and leave the nest, I'll order them their own hard cover copies of our family history, and they can order more copies themselves.

A major family Christmas gift and labor of love checked off my list!

xo,

Rebecca

Christmas ornaments in September

When I ended up pulling an all nighter last Christmas eve making ONE MORE Christmas gift for the little girls, I learned my lesson....I need to start creating for Christmas much earlier in the year.

I can check the annual personalized ornament of my to do list. I was inspired by the ABC blog ornaments my SIL, Shayla made last year (she got the idea HERE), however I don't have a set of ABC blocks and didn't want to buy 2 sets since we have kids with the same letter for their first name (each child's ABC block is their first initial). SO, I decided to make my own version. That said, obviously using ABC blocks cuts the time required by quite a bit since you eliminate the painting/sanding/sealing process.

OR you could use plain block like I did and still omit the painting step. Just cut the scrapbook paper and photo the same size as the block. Rather than stencil initials & ages, you could Mod Podge stickers or cut outs over scrapbook paper.

Christmas ABC block ornaments

Supplies (all can be found at Michael's Craft store):

2" unfinished wood blocks (or cut your own)

Acrylic paint, I chose lime green in the Craft Smart brand, and white

Mod Podge

paint brushes, one for paint and one for Mod Podge

alphabet stencil (optional- I freehanded the set I made for our kids)

mini screw eyes (found in wood crafts section)

scrapbook paper in various Christmas color patterns and colors, cut into squares just shy of 2" (as I made these I wondered if fabric scraps would work too...could be cute!)

a recent photograph of your child, cut to the same size as the scrapbook squares

sander

sealer

coordinating ribbon or string

Here's how I made my block ornaments:

1. Paint the blocks & sand them. Using primer first is an option if you're painting with a light color, want solid coverage, and don't want to paint several coats. Let dry completely.

2. Stencil the age of the child on one side & the first initial of the child on another side of the block. Let dry.

3. Mod Podge scrapbook squares to all of the other sides BUT ONE.

4. Mod Podge the photograph to the last side. Let dry.

5. Do a final sanding around corners and edges if you want.

6. Spray a coat or paint a coat of sealer on your blocks (optional). Let dry.

7. Screw in the mini screw eye to the top of the ornament.

8. Add ribbon or string to the hook and the ornament is ready to hang from the Christmas tree.

These were so inexpensive and easy to make, I made a bunch for friends and nieces and nephews who came to visit last weekend and those whom we'll see at Thanksgiving too. So if you get an early Christmas package from us (we draw names in our family), act surprised!

Clambake '09

The last couple days have been hard. Our stalwart van died. It's just a car, but we've had it since '01 and it took us on over 170K miles worth of memories. We're juggling the Honda Accord coupe while we try to figure out a replacement.

We've been planning on going to our former ward's annual clambake for months and Wayne was going to bike there, but we can't all fit in the Honda, SO.... being the thoughtful hub he is, Wayne opted to hold the fort with Wes and encouraged me to go up to the clambake and see a dear friend of mine from my mission, as well as friends from our former ward. Crane Beach is one of our favorite beaches in MA. Today the weather was the best we've had for a clambake in years, 60's and breezy, and the beach outing was good medicine for my attitude. Thanks, Wayne!

PS. On the long drive to Crane Beach we pointed out lots of familiar sites along the way. After several stories that started with, "Remember when...," Grace said, "Let's talk about good times we've had all the way there."

Hearing the kids lovingly recall good times, even the bloopers, makes all the effort to get some housework done, get our crew ready, pile in the car, compartmentalize some stress, and have a really nice time making yet more wonderful memories.

Apple Picking with Ama

Ama, can you come back right away? We didn't get one single picture with you and the kids! Big OOPS! We sure had fun though, and we do hope that you can come visit us again SOON... pretty please.

These photos are from Monday's adventure apple picking at Tougas Farm in Northborough, MA. We picked 1/2 bushel of crisp yumminess.

The raspberry bushes are right by the apple trees and Wesley found a good spot to pick and eat berries. We picked from a whole row of apple trees before we pulled him away from that spot. The boy loves raspberries. We'll have to come back to pick some together.

Tougas has a "pumpkin tree." I told Wesley not to pull on the pumpkins. Why do I feel bad now? :)

Classic Wesley (still sporting a raspberry face)....

For you, mommie. I still love you more, babe.

Caroline illustrates a successful trip to Tougas....

Ready, Set, GO!

Wayne and I competed in our second Sprint Tri last Saturday. It was the Hyannis Sprint II located at Craigville Beach. The Hyannis Sprint I is in June and I told Wayne I wanted to do the Sprint II because the weather is usually better in September. Well, sure enough we had LOTS of rain on Friday and the roads weren't safe for the bike leg of the race Saturday morning. SO, we ended up doing a swim/run.

Wayne's mom, Ama came to hang out with the kids at the hotel while we raced. The kids were over the moon excited to see Ama again. It's been over a year! Wes was so shy (all weekend)...he clearly needs more Ama time! As we got ready at 5:30am to race, I realized I forgot my running shoes! Wayne was doing such a great job packing I just assumed he was doing it all:) I tried on his extra pair of running shoes and tied them as tight as possible. I looked like a clown, but was ready to go. As we walked from the car to the race, we ran in to our friends, the Petersons. Judianne happened to have a pare of cross trainers in my size for me to borrow. LIFESAVER! Judianne had planned to do a relay with her her son and she was going to do the bike leg, but because that was cancelled she switched to the swim. We were in the same wave. The announcer pointed out how strong the current was and gave some pointers, etc. Just before we started Judianne said, "I didn't even train for the swim!" We swam together for the most part. I didn't realize how close behind me Judianne was and at one point I kicked her in the head. SO sorry!!! As we turned the last buoy, I swam hard and all of sudden I heard Judianne yell, "You're going the wrong way!!!" I looked up and was swimming completely away from the race (as fast as I could:)) and a lifeguard on a surf board was swimming toward me to point me in the right direction. The rest of the swim I had my head out of water a lot just to make sure I was going the right way. So, Judianne ended up beating me even though I trained and she didn't! What a crazy swim.

Wayne had a great swim. He knocked quite a bit of time off his last tri swim. We were both surprised how much we didn't miss the wet suit. The water was a bit cold at first, but we quickly adapted.

The transition was much shorter wearing a tri suit and NOT wearing a wet suit. The run was uneventful, which is a good thing after my swim. Wayne and I both agreed that the very last few feet when you run on the sand to the finish line is brutal! But it feels so good to finish and to know you've pushed yourself and reached a worthy goal.

After the race, I made Wayne take this paparazzi photo of Joe Kennedy. He's the guy with the great head of white hair in the background. He could market Joe Kennedy wigs and make a fortune.

After the race we meandered up to Chatham. Across the street from Chatham's Lighthouse Beach is the Chatham lighthouse. That's it for photos on race day. It was just too overcast. Chatham is a lovely beach town. We're dreaming of coming back for a week one summer. We stopped at the beach where they've spotted 5 great white sharks. Lots of people were out there with binoculars. We walked on the beautiful soft sand and collected sea shells and crab shells until it started to rain. If you've been to the Cape, I'd love to know your favorite beach. We haven't explored nearly enough!

Go Wesley!

A lesson in recall. The army crawl moves from crawling days come in handy here. If you listen closely you can hear him say, "Weeeee" as he's sliding.