Monday, December 22, 2008

Dad

Edward (Ted) Gill--December 22, 1995


Hard to believe that another Christmas approaches and yet again we know we will not receive the only gift that we truly want. Oh what we would give to hear your voice and feel your touch one more time. So instead we make do with the wonderful memories of joy, happiness and laughter that you have left us with. Always in our thoughts and forever in our hearts.

Merry Christmas!
Your loving family

Click HERE to see the online Toronto Star In Memorium

Click HERE to sign the Guest Book

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Dear Santa

I can explain everything!
I love this shirt
I love the look on Owen's face in this picture
I love that he reads this shirt to everyone and then explains what it means
I love that Owen is so very excited about Santa and Christmas
I love that I can call upon the name Santa to elicit good behaviour from Owen, must be used sparingly...but very effective
I love Christmas...I think I say this every year, but so far...this is the best Christmas ever.

Christmas Train

Who: The Stapley Family, Owen, Jackson, Nora & Me – Adrian and Isabelle were supposed to come, but poor Bella was under the weather and Daddy decided to stay at home with her.
What: Christmas Train ride with Santa
When: Sunday, December 7, 2008
Where: Tottenham South Simcoe Steam Train
Why: do we need a reason?

The kids, both big & small, had the BEST time. Santa sat down and spent a minute with each child, listening to their whispered desires, smiling for photos…doing all the great things that Santa does. The elves followed him with candy cane treats for all. Owen asked for an extra, he wanted to bring one home for Isabelle…my sweet boy always thinking of his sister…gotta love those moments. Here are some highlights of the day.

Boys being boys...waiting for Santa to arrive:
Nora and the kids:
Owen & Santa
Jackson & Santa
Madi & Santa
Cameron & Santa
A great shot of Jackson, look at that smile!
Jeff, Andrea & Madi:

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Santa

We went to see Santa at the mall last night. Owen loves Santa and asked for a few things:
- new snowpants that are easy to get on and will be warmer
- ninja turtle socks
- a speedracer car that is NOT remote control (as opposed to the speedracer car with remote control he wanted last week)

Bella on the other hand, was happy to wave at Santa and kept saying "Hi Snanta" from the safety of my arms, but when Santa tried to give her a High-5...no way. She shrank back and said "No 5 Snanta...Owie turn high 5" "Snanta no touch Bella hand"

Needless to say she did not sit on his knee, but Owen did...

Monday, December 1, 2008

December Daily : Day 1

Here is day 1 of my December Daily album:


How To:

I printed a 4x6 of the advent calendar photo taken in the morning and trimmed it to size. Trimmed the painting that Isabelle painted. Adhered both of these to the back of Page 1 (seen yesterday). Added a strip of patterned paper to journal on, a piece of ribbon and a number circle. The other side is one of the reindeer's that the kids made at the Library story / craft night.

I got into the creative mood full swing and put together a little 3x3 album with some of the supplies from my Becky Higgins card kit. We went to a Christmas party at my mother-in-law’s place on Sunday. We had the best time, clowns, magicians, electric trains and Santa.



I loved the process of documenting our first day of December. The simple act of writing things down makes me pause and reflect and be thankful for all that we have. To anyone looking in, our day was not particularly spectacular in any way. It was filled with crafts and work and school and friends and all of our normal routines…a perfectly wonderfully spectacular December day. As you go about your days at this busy time of year, take a moment to reflect and maybe you will be inspired do something creative too.

December Daily

Inspired by the wonderful Ali Edwards, I have created a December Daily scrapbook album. Every day this month, I will select a few of the best photos of that day and add them to the album with a bit of journalling. I loved the idea of creating the bones of this albuem ahead of time, leaving more time in December to celebrate, enjoy, reflect and share the Christmas season with our friends and family.

This album will be a little peek into our lives, a way to celebrate our family traditions and the blessings we enjoy.

Here are a few pages from the album:




And 1 photo from today:

Check back tomorrow for today's layout.