And the END of Journal Your Christmas

It did eventually have to come to an end. The official end of the JYC project is Jan 6th, the Epiphany. At our house Christmas ends with the Last Day of Christmas -- on which we undecorate the tree.

I have done JYC in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and now 2011. Each year (except the first when I didn't have the heart to end it) I have seen it through all the way to the sixth. I love this project. I mean, I LOVE it. I highly recommend it to any scrapbooker or journaller who loves - the whole Christmas season. Now, please don't ask why; no one quite knows the reason...

And so, let's wrap this thing up, shall we?

Jan 3rd

Again, my Silhouette at work! WOOHOO! Who can resist that little Santa from Dear Mr. Claus?
The photo is the Little Guy and his twin cousins who just turned 8 this week!
Journal reads: Yesterday Jason, [SIL], and their kids came down to play for a day at Itz! A great time was had by all!

Jan 4th --

The topic for today is supposed to be a to-do list for next year. I've done that topic every year and was shocked to discover that I had a different topic to address on this day that I really wanted to add -- it deals with 'next year' in a disconnected way. See this year I found a new church, and I found it by starting with the amazing music ministry and joining their Christmas choir. It has changed my life.

I do not love that photo of myself... but it was handy.
Journal reads: I've decided to keep singing with the choir at [Our church]. Today will be my first regular rehearsal. It may be a bit of a difficult schedule at times, but I love to sing!

Jan 5th 

Today I'm on topic -- the topic is packing away! I adore this goofy photo of the little guy helping to take the lights back off the tree.
Journal reads: I can hardly believe the season is wrapping up! It's all so empty without our tree!
Celebrating our Last Day of Christmas. We packed away decorations, baked cookies, enjoyed cocoa and turned up the Christmas music!

And finally... Jan 6th!

Journal reads:
Another Christmas has passed us by! Another journal full of memories. Until next year "I will keep Christmas in heart and try to keep it all the year!"
"He knew how to keep Christmas well. May that truly be said of us and all of us" - Dickens

Thanks for joining me for another year of Journal Your Christmas! I've had such fun working on it - I hope you've enjoyed seeing it! I will shortly be returning you to our regularly scheduled scrapbooking and jabbering. 

Journal Your Christmas -- Oh yeah...

What do you mean it's the middle of January?

Where did the last 18 days disappear to? I hadn't scrapped anything since Dec 30th's page for JYC until Yesterday.

I have a semi-good excuse or two.... it's wrestling season. My kids are involved in stuff. I decided to stick it out with the church choir. I've been busy with work-related things (hey I sort-of work!). etc...

and ummmm we've been watching an inordinate amount of Star Trek. Did you know there are over 700 episodes of Star Trek? Yeah we could watch two a day for a year... or it could just stream like all the time... yeah, we've seen them all, a lot. But ummm... we got the BluRay box set for Christmas, and it's all on Netflix AND these fantastic new games:

http://boardgamegeek.com/image/1021598/star-trek-expeditions

 http://boardgamegeek.com/image/1112703/star-trek-deck-building-game-the-next-generation

 http://boardgamegeek.com/image/1134651/star-trek-deck-building-game-the-next-generation-
Co-Op Deck Building - the Borg WILL assimilate you and kick your collective booties. Oh yeah, they will.

So ANYWAY -- Journal Your Christmas! I finished! FINALLY!

I stopped at December 30th. So we start back in our final catch-up with December 31st!

Journal reads: We had friends over to play games the day of the 31st but they were long gone by the time we rang in the New Year!
That champagne was freaking GOOD.



Jan. 1st

If not on this layout -- me and my Silhouette have made friends again! Look at the fun gold goodies! Also, I stamped the Date stamp before I assembled the page.... and ummm it's Upside down. So I stamped that Giant #1 over it and January is right side up and... oh well. The topic here was resolutions.
Journal reads: Instead of a Resolution, for 2012, I've chosen 'one little word' to embrace, embody and focus on for the year. This year's word is "reverent'.

Jan 2nd

You're looking at this and thinking -- haven't you already used that photo, twice? But NO! I haven't cause this one is a Different photo from the same SESSION. I actually love this one MORE than the one that became our official Christmas pic - cause who can resist those grins? That's a Susan stamp! And the ticket is from my Silhouette! The prompt for this day dealt with childhood and innocence... I went sort of off topic but still kind of dealt with it.
Journal reads:  This year was [Oldest]'s last Christmas at home. Next Christmas he will spend with his dad, and the next he'll be at college!

Tomorrow I'll post the REST of JYC!

I'm late, I'm late... but My Christmas Journal continues!

Today's topic dealt with Christmas surprises... I never plan ahead for this page -- I just let whatever surprise the day brings find its way to the page.

For the 20th, the surprise was waking up to a blanket of snow!

Journal reads:

While we were expecting a little snow, we got a lot! The boys had a ball out playing!

For the 21st I went off topic -- about a week ago we had a topic about visitors and visiting. On the 21st, we had some visitors! (actually they arrived on the 20th)

Journal reads:
[Cousins] came to spend a couple of days with us -- today we visited Santa in Old Colorado City, went sledding at Cottonwood Creek, and headed to Electric Safari at the zoo, where the kids visited with Santa again. As we were leaving the zoo the snow really picked up. By the time we got home I couldn't get the van up the driveway and ended up with it stuck on the corner in the snow. 

22nd -- another off topic day.

Journal reads:
With a ton of snow on the ground, today was the perfect day for making an entire gingerbread village with help from [cousins]. Everyone made a little house.

More tomorrow!

Journal Your Christmas -- Dec 18 and 19

Dec 18th -- the topic today was holiday menus... I decided to include a few recipes...

Journal reads: "Miss Paula is my Secret!
My go-to special occasion recipes almost all come from Paula Deen! Oh so good!"
*In the pocket are four of our favorites recipes.

Dec 19th -- the topic for today was letters to Santa.

Journal reads:
Dear Santa- Our whole family is looking forward to your upcoming visit. We've hung our stockings, the boys have sent you letters via the wii. We've all been very good this year. The boys have been working hard to stay on the Nice List. We'll leave a snack for you and the reindeer and watch for you on the NORAD Santa tracker!
With Love,
M

My favorite thing on this page is the little photo which reads "merry cristmas[sic] and happy new year" and was written by my six year old in his teacher's Christmas card.

Journal Your Christmas -- 15 -17

Journal Your Christmas - the Journey continues!
Dec 15th

Journal reads: "Every year I get the boys teachers some kind of gift card for food. This year I also added a cute lunch bag and a loaf of pumpkin bread. [Middle child] and [Little Guy] added a handmade ornament to their bags. [Little Guy] made a beaded wreath and [Middle Child] sewed this adorable felt mouse."

Dec 16th

 Journal reads: "Tonight we went to the V7 skating party at the World Arena! [Oldest] helped [Little Guy] while [Middle Child] sped around the rink."

Dec. 17

 

Journal Reads : "Tonight we attended the amazing drive-through light display at First Nazarene. [Little Guy] was amazed that all the volunteers greeted him by name*. It was fantastic!"

*When we arrived the posted the children's names on the driver side door of our car so Santa and the other volunteers could call them by name*

Journal Your Christmas : An update!

I have been working on my Christmas Journal -- falling behind here and there and catching up later.
But I've got some pages to show you - right here!
For the last couple of years I've been doing kind of a mix of Journal Your Christmas and a "December Daily" style of album -- documenting a lot of the wonderful ideas in Shimelle's prompts and some of our daily-goings-on.

Dec 12th was my work Christmas lunch.

Journal reads: "A mini loaf of white choco-pumpkin bread was a go-to gift for this year.These were made for my MMO coworkers at our Christmas lunch today at Salsa Brava!"

Dec 13th
We decorated our tree on the evening of the 12th -- so on the 13th I went ahead and used a tree-trimming pic on my page

Journal reads: "Too Tall
We went for a bigger tree this year - so big that [oldest - who is over 6' tall] had to get a stepstool to put the star on top!"

Dec 14th
One of Shimelle's annual topics is gratitude. I decided to go with that today even though that prompt hadn't come yet.

Journal reads : "I am so thankful that we have had such a wonderful year together and I am so thankful for our family!"

Simple, obvious. but true.

More tomorrow!

Journal Your Christmas 2011

I apologize that I've fallen so behind in blogging (and everything else!) the last little bit! Things around here have been hectic! Wrestling season has begun (Oldest won his first match by pin! Woohoo!)! Middle child and I had some Christmas concerts to prepare for and perform in at our new church (which was time consuming but AMAZING!!!)Plus all the usual Scouts, Explorers, Karate, etc... It's been a little crazy!

But here I am and December has begun which in my house means -- Journal Your Christmas with Shimelle! This is my fifth year participating in this wonderful experience and I can't say enough good things about how it makes me feel about my holidays!

So here's my first few pages, more to come soon until I get caught up on the blog! My whole album will be on Kraft using one of a few Chirstmas lines all of which have sort of a vintagey feel and a cream undertone -- including BoBunny Blitzen, Cosmo Cricket: Dear Mr. Claus, Reminisce: Dear Santa, Reminisce: A Christmas Story and BoBunny:Snowfall. The Date stamps are all from Close to My Heart  - the set is called "On This Day".

Dec 1st

Journal Your Christmas always begins with the "Manifesto" - the statement of intentions for the album. In past years (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007) I've added a lot more journalling to this page but this year, I felt that this was enough. : "Document the Joy. Live the Memories. Share the Love."

Dec 2nd

Today's topic was weather -- Journal reads: " This morning we woke to a world of frost. It was stunningly beautiful. All the harsh lines and bared trees trimmed in shimmering white. The view took my breath away and the kids talked of 'a visit from Jack Frost'. "

Dec. 3rd.

Instead of addressing the recommended topic, I went with a glimpse at our previous evening.
Journal reads " Last night we attended the Advent Workshop at V7. The kids made ornaments, a Jesse tree and [Oldest] made our Advent wreath."

Dec. 4th

The topic is our Christmas concert on Dec 3 &4th. The photo is me and Middle Child. Journal reads "Weeks of  practice leading up to two nights of Amazing Christmas Music! It as such a blessing to take part in this event where we raised over $5200 and 68 boxes of food for the Needy! Repeat the Sounding Joy!!"

See... Christmas IS COMING at my house, just slowly!!

JYC Jan 6

The last day of my Christmas Journal for this year :(

Journal reads:
This year has been a good year, and this Christmas has been one of our best -- the kids had a great time together, we had family around us. There were quiet moments and laughter, we saw most of our annual traditions through, and may have started some new ones. Once again, my Christmas journal has been a gift to myself and I've enjoyed making it -- even though I've fallen behind a couple of times. I'm looking forward to next year and to scrapping the rest of this year's photos and memories. So, until next year -- Merrick

JYC Jan 5

Title : Endlessly
Journal:
Tomorrow we'll take down the tree and pack away the ornaments. Some decor will be up for a bit yet, but it's all ending.
and quote from song Endless Christmas
"I'm gonna hang on to that Christmas feeling
I won't let it melt away like winter snow
I'm gonna do my best to share it
Shower it on Everyone I know...
When I'm taking down the tinsel and the holly
I'm packing all my ornaments away
I won't have to miss having Christmas
If I never let the feeling get away...
with Love and Peace
Christmas goes on Endlessly."

(see my tree needles?)

JYC Jan 4

Tags read:
Remember:
*Change ornaments to hooks not ribbons
*Burn XMas CDs to van hard drive
*ornaments and pjs to open on NYE
*Buy tree late for discount?
*send DH wish lists
*Haircuts!
*zoo lights - make time!
*letters to Santa to Macy's
*Reindeer food was lots of fun!
*Teacher cards earlier
*Reorganize Card addys
*Extra Page protectors for Christmas Journal
*SNICKERDOODLES!

JYC Jan 3

Isn't the vellum purty? I loved the bkgrd paper and didn't want to hide it!

Unfortunately it's hard to take a good pic of gold lettering on vellum!

The Title is 'O Holy Night'

The sketch was from My Scrap Room and was posted on Serendipity's January Sketch Challenges....

The journal reads:
One of the best memories I'll have of this holiday season, without a doubt, the beautiful, still, warmth of the Candlelight Christmas Eve service at FUMC. We don't go every year but it's a remarkable feeling!

More JYC!

Journal Your Christmas is coming toward its close... We keep going until Jan 6th.

After Dec 30th I fell a little behind again but I've been having fun with it, which is my #1 priority.


This page covers both the Journal Your Christmas Topic of the Day and the Serendipity Scrapbooks Daily Challenge for today (which was to use at least 5 ribbons and 5 rub ons on the page! Man that's a lot of Alpha Rubons!)
Journal reads:
The New Years Ball drops, kisses and well wishes follow. Then I say to Scott "Let's go out and see the fireworks over the Peak!" Out we go without stopping for shows or jackets. We watch a few moments. Scott says :"It's COLD out here and returns inside. I wait a little longer then I retreat, too! Happy New Year!"




This again meets both the challenge for JYC and a daily Challenge from Serendipity which was the "It's been a Big Year!" challenge - to use at least 5 inch tall, patterned paper numbers to write out the year on a Layout.
Journal reads:
2010 has arrived! I remember as a kid calculating out how old I would be in 2000, and 2010 and being horrified! I'm not feeling quite so daunted by my age as I had anticipated. We're looking forward to a good year! Bring it on!



And one more that is both JYC and Serendipity challenge. This challenge was to make a circle, at least 8" across (my pages for JYC are 8x8 so this was easy to measure!) entirely of punched circles, some of them double punched.
Journal reads:
There's a song that says "Christmas is for Children" and I have to say that there's nothing like the joy and excitement of my children in the holiday -- but it's not JUST for them! It's definitely my favorite season and I love to share it!

JYC Dec 30

Journal:
Cripple Creek Ice Festival, Feb.
[middle son]'s Birthday, March
[oldest son]'s Chicago Trip, April
Camping, May
fun with Grandma, June
Scout Camp, July
[middle son]'s first day of 3rd Grade, Aug.
[youngest son]'s first day, Sep.
Branson, Oct
Snow Fun, Nov.
Together, Dec.

JYC Dec 29

Journal:
a stunning view of the city from the zoo's wild lights - Dec 29, 2009

JYC Dec 28

Journal:
It's easy to indulge at Christmas, so much to do, and see, and make and buy... Some things good, some things great, some stressful, but all a part of the season. But my favorite Christmas moments involve snuggling and reading by the lighted tree, laughing and playing with the kids, quietly sipping tea and listening to soothing music in the falling snow. And really, I want that part of Christmas to last all year. I guess I need to work at that. Finding the time to indulge in the real Christmas spirit.

JYC Dec 27

Journal :
Every Christmas Eve, and on other nights in December, our bedtime stories come from the Christmas Book Basket. Favorites vary from year to year. The Polar Express always holds a special place, and this year [youngest son]'s other favorites have been 'Baby Jesus' stories.

JYC Dec 26

Journal:
It may have been a bit cold, okay a LOT cold, but the sledding was fun and the boys were fearless and fun.

JYC Dec 25 - Christmas Day

Journal - Christmas day at home - present opening, a big cheerful brunch, family together for dinner, and our three wonderful, happy boys. Merry Christmas!

JYC Dec 24 -- Merry Christmas Eve!

[Dear Santa]
Our now annual trip on the Pikes Peak Santa train is one of our favorite days of the year. This year we got to go on Christmas Eve! It was great to see you! Come by our house tonight! Love - Merrick & Family

Dec 1st

Christmas is coming, with its annual bustle and rush. The world is 'Dressed in Holiday Style' and all the excitement is looming. There's no slowing the rush of day, but I can slow myself down, and give myself a gift - a gift that has become one of my favorite holiday traditions. It's time, again to 'Journal my Christmas.' I will take and make time to breathe in the Christmas scents, revel in the Christmas sounds, and capture my days in a Journal of my Christmas. -- M, 2009.