Merry Christmas from the Garners

“If we look for the good, we can see this time of year with new eyes, perhaps even with the eyes of a child.”
—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Trees, Trees, Trees...

{ella's tree: we made a paper chain to match the felt ornaments that my mom made when I was a child. Love them....}

{Sydnee's tree: she redecorates on a daily basis. I also have a basket of Christmas books near each tree. In years past, I have had them just in the family room, but they just didn't get read and enjoyed as much as now. We can read a story each night before bedtime.}

{Christian's soccer tree: We made the ornaments from hackysacks (sp?)}

We decided to have a christmas tree in each of the kids' rooms this year. These are some old trees that I have had since before Sydnee was born. It was fun to decorate each one with them and put their personality into the decorations. They are very simple this year, but maybe we will add some ornaments in years to come.

Handmade Christmas

I was feeling a little bit 'blah' about my christmas decorations this year. But that is nothing a little paper and glue can't fix!
Here are a few of my creations:

{inspired by a project at The Scrapbooking Studio}

{Teresa Collins' NOEL & Blingage goodies & Tattered Angels Glimmermist in Gumdrop and Jingle Bells, and Melissa Frances tinsel}
{Tim Holtz goodies, Melissa Frances goodies, and Technique Tuesday stamps}

After I finished the banner and the candles, I just had to try Tim Holtz's christmas tags for the first time. My friend and I had a fun, creative afternoon and we learned some really cool new techniques in just a short about of time! I did a little happy dance when we finished. I am adding these tags to my christmas card tree. I can't wait to try another one...

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

This layout, Grandma's Glasses, is the reason I scrapbook. I found these 2 pictures in 2 different piles, over 3 years apart from each other; and they go together PERFECT to tell this story. This is when I get so excited about this hobby, when my pictures from the past come together so amazingly!

Go check out the TSM December Special today!

P.S. I do love The Story Matters Kit for many reasons, but the main love is because I can add bits and pieces leftover from a previous month's kit and they will coordinate with the current month. I don't keep my monthly kits separate, I put them all together in a 12x12 clear container, with the current month on top. Then I can use embellishments and paper with this month's kit. Love it!

December 1

I am going to be creating an album that is all about December {but not-so-daily} and this was the first photo I took for today.

Faux Photobooth

{oops! where is christian??}

I really wanted to get some photos of our family on Thanksgiving. We didn't eat our meal until 3:30; and by the time we were finished it was dark outside. I had the pictures in my mind of walking the bike path along Duck Creek and snapping a few shots of us all together, but it was too late {thanks daylight savings!} So we set up the tripod {which had been broken since it's last use} and took a few photos in the kitchen. Not the best lighting, not the best backdrop, but here we are....and I love every one of them!

Thanksgiving Snapshots

{Ella's Ants on a Log

recipe is from the Fancy Nancy Cookbook!}

{Sydnee's Deviled Eggs}

{Aunt Dana's Sweet Potato Pudding}

{Mashed Potatoes}

{Spinach Salad with Maple Syrup Dressing}

{Granny Belle's Rolls}

Putting a Thanksgiving meal together is fun, and by the end when you are trying to have everything come out of the oven, to the table, and still be warm; it can get a little crazy. So I gave the camera to Sydnee and told her to snap a few photos. I think she might have a future in food photography or she was very hungry!

Thanksgiving Daily

I have seen this video around the blogosphere the past few days and also wanted to share it with my family. Gather your loved ones and watch....happy thanksgiving!

30 Days of Gratitude

to express gratitude is gracious & honorable

to enact gratitude is generous & noble

but to LIVE with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven

-Thomas S. Monson

I wanted to post this earlier in the month, but of course just didnt have a chance. This has been a wonderful month for us as a family to notice, view, and write words of gratitude everyday.

{inspired by Becky Higgins}

Want, Need, Wear, Read...

WANT:

Photoshop Elements

50 mm lens

Chance by Chanel

NEED:

boots

coat

WEAR:

PINK Boyfriend Pants/Hoodie

Read:

Nook Color

A grown-up girl can have a Christmas dream too...right???

P.S. I have a friend that uses these parameters for buying gifts for her kids...and I also saw a lovely post about it from a 'grown-up' perspective here: The Life and Times of the Beutler Family

Can't Sleep...

and I still have TC Designs all over my scrap table!

Rewind

* We stopped in Des Moines and had a mini-celebration with some of Syd's favorite friends.
{"Why don't we live closer to them, Mom????"}
*Enjoyed CKC Kansas City together. She was right in her element. Loved all the make and takes and had such a creative flair all on her own! She helped me during my classes and everyone wished her a Happy Birthday.
* Introducing her to old friends and new ones....it was a full circle weekend.
*Went to our favorite place to spend her birthday money. One word: Silly Bandz!
*Pedicures
*Stayed up late one night creating fun stuff!
*Swimming in the pool {mom too!}
*Celebrating her 9 years as my daughter...just the 2 of us.




I learned how to make this collage in Picnik from The Blog Guidebook . It was so fast and easy! Next catch up post: Halloween!

Celebrate