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I just wanted to wish everyone a very blessed Christmas!  Jesus is definitely the reason for the season.  Have a blessed day with family and friends today! 

~NJ

 
Today is our final day with our Elf on the Shelf, Nyla, until next year.  This was our first time doing the Elf on the Shelf.  We had a great time with Elf Nyla and plan to continue the tradition.  The girls were REALLY good about not touching her, so we were happy about that.  We look forward to seeing what kind of tricks she will be up to next year. 
 
Only one more day to go.....before we must say goodbye to Elf Nyla! 
 
Circle Journal #4.......No Shades of Gray!  Great theme about not trusting our memories to remember everything.  For this them, we had to try to use only black and white, besides our photos.  I had a lot of photos and like Circle Journal #3:  My Favorite Things (where I decided to focus on my Top 12 of 2012), in this circle journal, I decided to again pay tribute to 2012, and showcase my Top 12 Moments/Memories of all time (up to the date the book was completed).  I had so many pictures I wanted to incorporate, but not enough space.  Then I ran into another issue with my pictures....a lot of the pictures were old, so I didn't have multiple copies, so I just scanned the pictures, but I really didn't like the quality....but I just had to make due.  So to solve the issue with the photos.....having too many pictures to showcase, I decided to make a small mini album on the page to ensure I had enough room to showcase my items.  I haven't done this technique since the first circle journal group I participated in, back in 2007, so it was fun to do this again.  I also took part in a new technique.  I added fabric to my layout, on the first page, I added black and white felt to my background paper using staples.  with the left over felt that I had, I added it to my second layout as just a side strip next to my journaling.  Overall, I like the memories I picked and I can't wait to look at this album many years from now and see what additional memories and thoughts that come to mind.

Happy Scrappin'!
~NJ
 
Here is The Elf on the Shelf Update.  Our little Nyla has been a little busy bee!!!!
 
This weekend, I forgot to get a card for a birthday party we were going to.  So I did what I do best, I made my own birthday card.  It was really quick and I was able to get rid of some scraps in the process.  Yes, this card was made from scraps!!!!!  Yea!!!!!!!  I have a nice size bin I have been trying to use, so I was happy to get rid of 5 sheets of scraps, and create something beautiful at the same time. 

So the next time you forget to purchase a card, and need one quick, I would suggest going through your stash, set your timer for 15-20 minutes and create a card without much thought...meaning when we put too much thought into our scrapbooking, we tend to spend more time worrying about what others will think or doubting ourselves and our ability to creating something nice, thoughtful and special.  So let's not doubt ourselves....just CREATE! 

~Nati J.
 
December 5th -  Lesson Time, Dance Class and a visit from Mona and Poppa, what more could we ask for.  Pumpkin and Cupcakes had a very good day today.  I also notice that Pumpkin is doing better with her dance class, really all the girls are.  It's great to see how they are improving.  Dad liked his birthday gift and put it to use right away.  And as far as the letter of the week...it's "G,"  we enjoyed looking all over the house for items that started with the letter "G."

December 6th - Cupcakes and I ran some errands around town.  We were happy that Daddy FINALLY gave us his Christmas Wish List, although we didn't do any shopping for him, we enjoyed our outing.  Afterwards, Cupcakes took a really long nap and mommy in the meantime was able to get some work done.  After picking up the Pumpkin from school, we picked up some new slippers for her Disney Princess Party.  She LOVED seeing her whole outfit come together.  What a princess!

December 7th - At the last minute my MIL and I decided it would be fun to take the girls to the zoo for the first time.  We have been trying to get them there since this past Spring, but due to DH's schedule, it has been kind of hard.  So DH had to be left out.  At the Houston Zoo, during the Christmas Season, they have Zoo Lights, and we thought it would be good to get the girls familiar with the zoo during the day before taking them at night.  We had a blast.  I was able to ride the carousel with Pumpkin...what fun - it was her first time on a carousel.  Neither one of the girls were afraid of the animals so that was good.  All-in-All it was a pretty good day.

December 8th - What a day, what a day, what a day!  I got up early so I could go to the mall with my mother.  We had some good mother-daughter time....we were way overdue.  We haven't really had a chance to hang out for a while.  After she dropped me off at home, I got the girls ready for their Disney Princess Party.  With face painting, a pinata, and a Princess Red Carpet runway show, who wouldn't have a blast.  After the party, we headed back home for a relaxing evening where the girls watched Despicable Me with Daddy.

December 9th - Today we started our day off right, in the house of the Lord!  Pastor Joel preached a good message about not letting other take away our joy and reminding ourselves that God is in control....It was good!  After that we had breakfast with my MIL and dinner at my parents home to celebrate Dad's birthday.  It was a long but good day. 
 
Our Elf Nyla, has been having quite a blast the past few days.  I'm proud to say that she has yet to lose her magic....Seeing has how we still have 15 days left with her, I'm hoping it will stay that way.  Well, I hope you enjoy our photos of Elf Nyla and all that she has been up to.

~Nati J.
 
December 1st:  While Hubby was at work, me and the girls slept in and then just had some fun time until Daddy came home - then off to the mall to Build-A-Bear Yea!!!

December 2nd:  Off to church, where we got to see Cupcakes God-Mother, and then Cookie's with Santa, Cousin Mason's 1st Birthday Party...Meeting at Cousin Ny's house and then finally back home for dinner and bed time.  Sunday was a VERY busy day....I forgot to mention Football.....GO TEXANS!!!!!

December 3rd:  What a day, what a day.  The girls were in rare form - all over the place and very hyper active!!!!!  I had to go to the Dentist to get my crown recemented, then off to grocery shop, and lunch with Ahma (the MIL) at Olive Garden.  Oh don't you just love the holidays!

December 4th:  Today has been a pretty quiet day.  DH and DD Pumpkin headed out this morning, which left me and Cupcakes with a day full of catch up.....laundry, folding and hanging cloths...plus gathering clothes to iron for the next 2 weeks.  I continued watching The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo....for the 3rd sitting....still not done with the movie...but I'm almost there...maybe I'll be able to finish it sometime this week.....hopefully. 

Well, that's it for now.  It's time to get dinner ready!

~NJ
 
Our Elf on the Shelf Tradition is going pretty good so far.  Pumpkin, our oldest DD is enjoying waking up every morning to find Elf Nyla.  She thought it was funny to find Elf Nyla sitting on some wall decor, and then the next day to see her dangling down from the key hook.  This morning, she was amazed that Elf Nyla was on the ceiling fan looking down on her and her sister, Cupcakes.  I wonder where Little Miss Elf Nyla will land tomorrow.....

~Nati J.