The Countdown Continues....

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

~Mary Engelbreit

{Angela posted this quote on the Unity blog last week and I just love it!}

I keep thinking that I am catching up on my to-do list and then I write down the day's list and it seems really long! Today's list:
1. blog :o) {done}
2. upload Christmas photo shoot photos to computer {done}
3. print photos to include in cards {done}
4. decide what photos to put in cards {should probably be #3, not #4} {done}
5. apple basket to neighbors
6. make a card for Amber's sketch challenge
7. make scraplings for Tanis' holiday challenge
8. work on CMK DT entry
9. vacuum
10. dust
11. make candies for Scout party {done}
12. address the 10 Christmas cards that are done
13. mail those cards
14. make more Christmas cards

And now to tell you a bit about the photo shoot that I did with the kids over the weekend...it was bad! LOL! I got Kat in her outfit and was going to take some photos of her while Jacob was getting changed. The minute I grabbed the camera she started crying and clinging to me...it just wasn't going to happen, so here are the best of the photos such as they are...

My camera really sucks big time when it comes to indoor photography so I was trying for the best light possible which means that all of these photos are taken on our staircase.

The best one of the boy. I am so proud of this kid! Friday he got a big award at school...student of the month for his team (there are 2 teams per grade in the junior high.) His team of teachers choose which student will receive it based upon attitude, work ethic, relationship with teachers and students, willingness to participate, enthusiasm, etc. and there are only 80 students out of the almost 700 students in the school that get it all year so it's a HUGE honor. And the fun thing is that the kids never know that they are getting it until their name is called in front of all the school at the assembly and their parents walk out...so much fun! And the horrible mother that I am, I totally forgot to take my camera. *doh!*

This is the best photo of the two of them together and I think that it's the ONLY one where they are both looking at the camera...

And the best one of the little gal...I was trying to let her do her thing so she wouldn't get mad at me and cry. As a result, this photo is taken in front of the bookcase at the top of the stairs. One of her favorite pastimes is to unload the books from there.

And a self-portrait of Kat and I...

And the photo taken 3 months ago that will actually go in the Christmas cards. *sigh*

And here is a quick layout that I worked on over the weekend. Ben gave me a good 2-3 hour break from Kat on Saturday so I could play in my stamp room. I tried to take full advantage of it as it doesn't happen very often.

This layout is based upon the Inspired Blueprints sketch #6. I just love the sketches that these girls post...so easy and fun to work with.

Supplies used:
*Unity Stamp Co. Wish
*Unity Stamp Co. This is the Time (this was the set designed by Angela and this is a prototype kit...the ones going out to customers will be bigger!)
*Unity Stamp Co. Batch of Bitty Fun
*Basic Grey paper collection
*MM velvet ribbon
*Martha Stewart butterfly punch and flat-backed gems

I'll be back tomorrow with more to share!