The Kassel Family Project Life 365

What a year it has been – the great, the good, the okay, the not-so-good, and the suck.  All of it remembered here.  I learned a lot about our family and life this past year.  Most of all, I learned a lot about ME and I was surprised to discover a lot of things….

1. I did, in fact, turn 2011′s Project 365-My Way into a Shutterfly photo book and I enjoyed doing it! Maybe there is a scrapbooker in me somewhere?
2. I discovered that taking nearly a picture every day is NOT a chore. I found it interesting and great fun. I also found myself taking pictures of things I never would have dreamed of before. I mean, who takes pictures of a stack of Christmas cards? Who you ask? Me! And I loved every minute of it! I’ll be getting a “pocket camera” sometime in 2012 that will stay in my purse. I love the camera we currently have, but it can be bulky to carry around.
3. Project Life 365 does affect the way you take pictures. You notice things you didn’t before. You do take pictures of what some people would consider “odd.” Does that bother me? No. Got some great memories from the photos I never would have noticed before!
4. The kids, especially Laura, really got into this with me. Laura would ask, “Mommy, can I be POTD?” How cool is it that the kids will be able to look back some day at the photo books and see all those things they wouldn’t remember otherwise?
5. I can’t believe the following this blog has. I *truly* can’t believe it. So many different people have said that they appreciate the blog so much. I was shocked and amazed to hear person after person say, “Every morning, I check the blog to see what happened the day before. It’s part of my morning routine.” Who would have thought?
6. I was afraid to tell Andy about this project at first. I knew he would think I was insane because I was adding more to my already very busy days. When I finally did tell him, he did think I was crazy, but he thought the idea was neat and I had his full support. I’m sure he thought I would eventually give it up. Here it is a year later and he moved the site to our personal family website and he set it all up for me so I could continue this project for years to come! Yes, he still thinks I’m crazy, but he loves me anyway.
7. Truth be told, I purposely put this blog on a free blog site because I figured *I* would give it up too. I am so glad I didn’t. The memories of every day on this blog are truly awesome – the big things, the little things, the nothing things, the embarrassing things, the fun things, the bad things, basically ALL OF IT. Every day is important. This reminds of that.

So, thank you Jill Blume (and, indirectly, Colleen Teodosio) for getting me started on 2011… 2012 and the years that follow are just a bonus.

Today was a VERY busy day.  Slumberland arrived about 9:15 am to deliver our new sectional sofa, two twin mattresses, AND the ottoman (which we didn’t think would even be in until late January!).

After the sofa was in place, we started on the kids’ room.  We had to remove the toddler beds, clean out all the things UNDER the kids’ beds, and move the crib mattresses before we could even start assembling the bunk beds.  It was noon before the bunk beds were completely set up.  It took me another two hours to get their room back in order – minus making the beds because Laura and John wanted to help with that.  Andy and I had about an hour to relax and enjoy our new sofa (thanks to Todd and Jenna for the visit!) before picking up the kids.  Once the kids got home, it was *pure* excitement.  They couldn’t wait to help make their new beds and sit on them.  It was so fun watching them just enjoy having the bunk beds.  The kids called Grandpa Ken to tell him “thank you for the bunk beds.”  I predict a semi-late night as I’m sure they will have a hard time falling asleep.  It is the first night in the new beds after all!

Jeremy and B came over to help us start our furniture preparations.  First up, bringing the steps to the bunk beds inside.  The kids were so excited and wanted their picture taken immediately!

Next, they removed our current couches and put those in the garage to await transport to Jeremy’s house.  That will happen as soon as Jeremy sells his current couch and chairs.

After moving everything else out of the way in the family room and Andy taking some things off the wall in the kids’ room, we are ready for the new sectional sofa and to put up the bunk beds!  Busy day tomorrow!

Candy Canes are this year’s kiddo Christmastime treat.  Both of the kids LOVE them.  Did I mention LOVE them?  I mean really LOVE them!  I bought four boxes this year.  I hope next year they forget that they LOVE candy canes.

The Lowerys came over for dinner (Yummy Tortilla Salad!  Thanks Rach!) and Christmas II for the kids.  Our kids each received a marshmallow pop sucker and T-shirts.  Laura also got barrettes and John got a Hot Wheels Car.  Alia got a My Little Pony and a Hello Kitty coloring book.  After opening presents and eating dinner, the kids watched The Polar Express while us adults hung out upstairs.  It was a very fun, relaxing evening!  Thanks Lowerys!  Now, on to pictures…

Laura opening her marshmallow pop sucker

John holding his “I’m a Handsome Devil just like Dad!” T-shirt

Alia opening her My Little Pony

Andy and I went to Slumberland Furniture to order the kids mattresses for their new bunk beds.  The mattresses will be in on Friday.  Along with those mattresses, a new sectional sofa for our family room will be delivered on Friday! 

As we were wandering through the store looking for a new ottoman for our family room (that comes in January too!), I came across a sectional sofa that is the perfect size and color for the family room.  I sat down on it and I was sold.  Looking at the price tag, I was pleasantly surprised to see it on clearance – priced at $1199.  The salesman told us that in December, Slumberland was taking another 20% off all the clearance prices, making the sectional sofa roughly $960.  So, it’s ours now!  Best part is that between the two mattresses, the sofa, and the ottoman, we got 18 months Same as Cash!  Yay!  This is the first brand-new sofa that Andy and I have ever purchased.  My Dad made our living room sofa/chairs and our family room sofa/loveseat were VERY used when we bought them (not to mention horrifyingly ugly – hence the slip covers).  Oddly enough, Andy’s La-Z-Boy recliner actually cost us MORE than the sectional sofa.  How does that happen?

Are you wondering what the “Pizzas” part of the title is yet?  Well, we had Tamara, Andrea and Kathryn, and Jeremy over for homemade pizza, great conversation, and drinks.  It was a great evening of laughing, talking, and just enjoying ourselves!  Oh, yeah, the kids had fun too!  🙂