First family photobook

I've been wanting to make a photo book for so long.

The inspiration for the style of this book came from a wonderful blog called Simple As That. Love.love.love the idea of a family yearbook.

I also loved Rebecca's idea to make a collage at the end of every month and then at the end of the year your photo book is essentially done, it just needs to be put together and beautified. I, of course, did things the hard way, did not make the collages monthly, and fell way behind. But when Christmas time came I was determined to get it done since I also wanted to give them to grandmothers as gifts. I sat in front of the computer from 11 one morning until 11 one night (only breaking for carpool) and got it done! And I'm thrilled with it. I want to go back and make one for each of the years I've missed so that my bookshelf is full of these lovely memories. It will take some time but I'll get it done. And again, kudos to Rebecca since I borrowed *lots* of her ideas (and quotes)!

I used Mixbook although I know there are other great sources like Blurb.  Mixbook won because they had the size I wanted and offered a 40% off coupon (I noticed they have one this month too so maybe they do that often). I ordered the 12 x 12 hardcover and added some pages for a total of 36.  I love how it turned out and will be using them again!

I also loved that Mixbook offered lots of layout/background/text options. And I LOVE that making this book forced me to choose my favorite photos, put them in one place, and print them.  So worth it! New Year's Resolution; print more photos!

I ended the book on a silly note. What a fun project this was!

Beach pics round 2

The beach is their happy place.

So happy it's hard not to dance at any given  moment.

I don't think they stopped smiling the whole time we were there. I'm thinking we should go back;)

Finally scored a family pic that I'm going to do a canvas of, yay!

We're silly.

Practicing panning...

My precious babies:)

Happy Tuesday friends!

Beach pics (part 1 of many:)

Hey friends! Popping in to share some beach pictures. We had a wonderful vacation! This is the third year we've rented the same little house in Miramar.  We have a routine that works for us: hit the beach at 9:30 with toys, drinks, and lots of yums, have lunch, then head to the pool after lunch for more fun.  In the evenings we drive into Seaside/Seagrove and have dinner and treats. Our favorite spot is George's in Alys Beach (Riffault Sancerre, yes please!), but we also love Great Southern Cafe, Pickles burgers, and Seagrove Market Cafe among so many others. I mean, anything there is great, you can't go wrong!

I was excited to actually use my camera again because I had a looong dry spell. I'm feeling inspired again though and I've really missed it.

These vacations to the Gulf are the highlight of my year. So blessed to have this time with all 3 of my boys:) Here come the pictures...

I not so secretly love this picture with my babies.

I take silhouette shots every year, I need to dig the old ones out and compare them! The boys are getting so tall.

The boys LOVE these angry bird kites. One ended up on someone's balcony, OOPS.

Have a great weekend!

Random Wednesday #932

So many random thoughts today, here we go!

Have you seen this website where you can turn Instagrams into canvas (and many other things, even iPhone cases)? Kinda fun.

link

I just came across the website handbagheaven recently too.  You probably already know about it!  But just in case you don't, they have every kind of bag you can imagine and they're all under $85:)

Find here

This necklace is only $20 from Brighthouse Baubles right now. I'm ordering, especially after seeing Annie's cute outfit Monday (I think hers was from Bauble Bar). Can't go wrong either way!

I seriously love these pants from Lululemon but I'm afraid I'll look like Beetlejuice running through the park. I really love how fun they are though!

Find here

I've reached some running milestones lately.  I ran an 8 miler on Saturday and it felt great to be getting up there in mileage again (haven't run that distance since last September!).  And yesterday I ran 2 sub - 8 minute miles in a row and finished 3.1 in 25:22. That was a goal and it felt good to reach it!

I've also determined my Chicago training program. Totally doable I think! I might add more cross training though.

We saw Dierks Bentley at lunch Sunday.  Y'all know I'm a geek and I love celebrity sightings!! This reminds me that recently my 3 year old's pre-school teacher told me that he was singing a D.B. song at the play-doh station in class..... "5-1-5-0 somebody call the po-po, I'm goin' crazy, thinkin' bout you baby". Mother of the year over here, oops! At first I wanted to melt into the floor but then we both had a good laugh about it. Wow, they really pick those words up quickly! Note to self:)

Source

Happy Wednesday - Linking with Shanna!

Simple Things Sunday

I was reading in my living room Saturday and my soon to be 4 year old came to ask me for a snack. I noticed the sunlight was so pretty on his sweet little face and grabbed my camera (haven't taken many photos lately).  I always feel guilty when I get pictures of one and not the other but big brother was outside playing with Daddy so he missed this little session.  It felt so good to get the camera out and snap away.  I love the tousled hair, dimples, and the way he touches his teeth when he gets a little shy.  Some favorite (and simple) little things:)

Sharing with Simple Things Sunday

some goal setting

I don't do resolutions but I have set some goals for myself this year that I'm hoping to accomplish. I don't stress about this stuff, I just keep the fire lit to stay busy and productive and happy and remind myself to smile. Here they are:)

Complete the Chicago marathon.  I was originally planning on the Marine Corps Marathon but instead am going to run Chicago (crossing my fingers I get in) in October.  I'm going to train properly and be ready.  I can do this! Friends that have run it, please share your tips, you inspire me:)

Continue running races and staying fit

Eat healthy and fresh as much as possible

Finish decorating my master bedroom and redo the master bath. Oh how I would love to accomplish this one.  Soothing neutrals I'm thinking.  Who are we kidding, I'll change my mind again next week.

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Continue to read a lot.  I finished 20 books last year and want to do even better this year.

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Read the Bible.  I'd really like to make it happen this year.  It's a little overwhelming but I think if I break it up I can do it.

Remember birthdays and be better about getting gifts to friends *on time*. I'm terrible with this, vowing to do better this year.

Learn French

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Be a more patient mom  
This is actually my number 1.  Not going to lie, my sweet angels can really try my patience sometimes.  I'm going to be better about this in 2013.

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Try at least one new recipe each week. This might be a stretch but I'm going to try.

Have more of my own prints framed (including some gallery wraps) and print photos for family albums / get them up to date.  I realized recently just how important this is to me.



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Polish my photography skills

Put the finishing touches on decorating our living room and dining room

RELAX and don't sweat the small stuff:)

And that's all she wrote.  Doable I think and enough to keep me busy? Yes!
Happy weekend friends! Thanks for reading:)

These are a few of my favorite things

Do y'all remember how Oprah used to do her favorite things show every year?  Of course you do. I loved it.   She still does it in her magazine and as I was looking it over the other day I was inspired.  So I decided to make a list myself!

Disclaimer:  If you are one of my family members please refrain from robbing a bank and buying me this list. :) It's for fun blog purposes only.

Here you go!

I love to lounge.  Victoria's Secret Pink is a longtime favorite.  So soft and comfy. I love the boyfriend pants and the super soft tees.

Cute slippers.  We try not to wear shoes in our house and I've destroyed all of my socks as a result so I love little slippers these days. These are from Loft.

Running gear!

!st column: Old Navy compression jacket, GapFit pants. I have both of these and love them.

2nd column: Garmin Forerunner 10, Lululemon brisk run gloves, Swiftwick socks.
I always wear Swiftwicks, they are my lucky socks:) Plus they are made right here in Tennessee and I'm a loyal girl.  My hands freeze so good gloves are a must. These Lulu's are on my list, I love them! I'm also planning to get a good watch to help control my pace and take training to the next level.  Runners, what watch do you like? This Garmin Forerunner 10 is a pretty good price compared to other models, should I invest in a better one or will this do?

3rd column: Lulu wishlist:) Runder Under long sleeve shirt and Run for your Life crops.  Love!!

K-cups!  They feed my coffee addiction! I dearly love that making a cup of coffee is so easy.

Photography stuff! This book is on my list.  I shot pictures for a couple of friends this year and they really inspired me--I hope I can take it to the next level next year and reeeeaaaally polish the skills.  So grateful to them for trusting me to do their pictures and for believing in me:) I know, that sounds sappy but it meant a lot to me.

Monogram necklace: these are everywhere and I love them.  Guess I'll jump on board this train too.

Pandora charms.  My mother in law gave me this bracelet years ago for my birthday and she, my mom, and Mr. C are working to fill it up.  It's a favorite! Mr. C recently surprised me with a charm that has a sneaker on it for my running. I loved it, I'm such a cheeseball.

Okey dokey, did I leave anything out?  If you have some favorites, share them!