December already?

It's been a busy fall and early winter here... We have seen Santa once this year so far - he was dressed in his CU Buffs fan outfit at the special Alumni visit to the Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo. He gave each of the girls a little stuffed Ralphie buffalo to keep. We'll see him again in his red suit when he arrives at the local fire station on December 15th. The girls have written notes to remind themselves what to ask for when they see him again. Of course, my diligence in using TiVo to record kid shows and minimize commercial viewing has come back to bite me in the form of the girls wanting really arcane things from Santa... Maura wants "glass slippers like Cinderella" and Emmelia wants a "Princess ice cream maker." Santa's probably getting carpal tunnel syndrome from using Google so much.

Yesterday, St. Nicholas paid a visit to our home and left a few treats in our shoes. That means it's time for us to decorate for Christmas! Tomorrow the tree will be going up. Yeay!

Last night Maura wrote her name for the first time! I'd show you a photo, but I'm still having issues with the photo uploader for some reason.

Next week, we'll be taking delivery of my new vehicle - a 2008 Toyota Highlander in Cypress Green - I can't wait! I'm very excited about the 3rd row seat and having the passenger capacity and fuel economy of a minivan without having to succumb to becoming a "soccer mom."

I have been absolutely swamped lately and haven't had the time to scrap that I'd like. But here are a couple of layouts I've made since my last post here.

Cauldron credits:
Paradise credits:
All I Want credits:
ZooLights credits:
The Deac wants me to design our Christmas card this year like the Zoo Lights layout above. I'm not sure how I feel about a black Christmas card. We'll see what I come up with if I can ever find some time.

Hope everyone continues to have a wonderful Nativity fast/Advent as we look forward to celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior!