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It's getting into that busy time of the year, and this week is probably my busiest!  So last weekend we had to take advantage of everyone schedule and meet for our annual cousins pictures...
Every year we try and get a group picture with just the cousins around Christmas time. Here is last years version....
 
On Saturday we met up in Medina Square to get our "cousin" picture and needless to...

It's hard to believe that he has been gone so long when I can picture the details of him and his life so vividly like it was yesterday!

  Ryan K. Zarlenga December 7, 1987 - February 23, 1993
I often wonder, at age 22 would he be graduating from college this year, majoring in? So many things I often wonder... and that's all I can do is wonder
It goes without saying that life is just too short!...

Don't you just love getting out your Christmas decorations.  Just the other day I was telling Chelsea, besides for the overwhelming part, I really do enjoy decorating for the holidays, and a part of that decorating is remembering the details about the decorations and ornaments.  One of your favorite decorations from a friend or the mouse nobody stole from you when you picked numbers at the Michigan...

Here are some of my projects from my Work in Progress kit this month
 
I made our favorites lists, like favorite Christmas movie, song, book, etc...
 
tic tac anyone?
   
 
  this album I plan to document the tradition of getting our tree on Ryan's birthday
  
Loving that Stampin up die! 

 
I have been reading the book Ordinary sparkling moments and continue to be inspired with each page I turn!
When we focus our energy towards constructing a passionate, meaningful life, we are tossing a pebble into the world, creating a beautiful ripple effect of inspiration.  When one person follows a dream, tries something new or takes a daring leap, everyone nearby feels that energy and before...

My day as I will view through my December Daily... 
Tuesday December 1st - Went to lunch with Chelsea, did some Christmas shopping, stop by Trish's house then return home and continue decorating house...
 
Wednesday December 2nd - Annual shopping day with mom and Deb!  Ran 5 miles with no ipod = torture!  Continue the decorating... 

 I started decorating for the holidays and to be honest when I first get everything out it can be quite overwhelming!  Thinking this might be my first picture for my December Daily too, so I remember the craziness!

Still not sure I like the mantle yet??? 

 lots of snowmen!

 one of my favorite decorations

 Slowly but surely I find homes for all my favorite holiday decorations...

I love Advent calendars and remember the kids having a ball with them when they were little.  As they've grown they didn't seem as interested in counting down via the advent calendar, until this year...

 
Since Chelsea and Ben will be at school for the first half of the countdown, I found the cutest Advent for Chelsea and Ben at Memory Box Calendars where I added my own descriptions to each...

I spent the entire holiday weekend running from one direction to the next, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  After enjoying our Thanksgiving with family we had many more things to accomplish!
For starters we had Chelsea home for 5 days and we really enjoyed our time with her. She and Zach both helped as we moved Joel into his new office and arranged and cleaned the other two offices.
 
 Zach...

~ If there is to be any comfort at all as we endure the loss of a child, it would be that they are never, ever, forgotten ~

Excitement has been building as the thirteenth Worldwide Candle Lighting December 13, 2009 approaches. The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting unites family and friends around the globe in lighting candles for one hour to honor and remember children who have...