TERESA COLLINS DESIGN TEAM: A Week in the Life mini album with Rachel

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone! Rachel here to show you my "Week in the Life" album.
I LOVED the idea of "A Week in the Life"....but... I had never put together a mini album before. I'm a terrible scrapbooker, something in my brain just does not compute arranging photos on paper and writing about them. So I was a little nervous about how it would turn out, then I decided there was no wrong or right way and to just go with the flow. It's more about the memories than how cute it turns out, right?

For the cover, I used a sheet of Blue Damask from the Now and Then Collection. The rest of the papers and embellishments are from the Christmas Cottage Collection. I tied seam binding, bakers twine and a little jingle bells to the rings of the binder.

I chose the week of November 30th through December 6th because I knew we were going to have a fun and busy week ahead and wanted to be sure to document it. We started a few new traditions this year now that our almost 2 year old is starting to understand the concept of Christmas. It's so much fun to see this magical season through the eyes of a child.

~Day 1~

~Decorating the Tree~

Thursday night we put up the Christmas tree and had such a fun time decorating it. Our little Averi loved putting on (and taking off) the decorations. We sipped hot chocolate, listened to the Gene Autry Holiday station on Pandora (seriously, the cutest station ever) and relaxed by the fireplace.

~Day 2~

~Photos with Santa~

Averi met Santa Claus and had her photos taken with the jolly old elf.

Ok, honestly that's really my husband dressed up as Santa. How genius is that idea? The studio has a parent dress up as Santa so the child isn't traumatized and you can get some great photos without having to wait in a huge line at the mall. I absolutely loved how they turned out and I know we'll cherish these pictures forever.

~Day 3~

~Festival of Trees~

I love this event because not only do we get to see over 700 beautifully decorated trees, enjoy fun entertainment and marvel at deliciously decorated gingerbread houses, every single penny this festival raises goes straight to children in need at the Primary Children's Medical Center.

~Day 4~

~North Pole Breakfast~

Santa sent his scout elf "Paprika" to our house early Saturday morning. She made us yummy cinnamon rolls and brought us reindeer food straight from the North Pole! She gave Averi a special gift of warm socks (because it's COLD at the North Pole!) and holiday books to read all through the month of December. We explained to Averi that Paprika was going to stay with us until Christmas Eve so she could report to Santa all the good things Miss Averi does every day. Averi then took the elf and put her in the garbage. "All gone. No more." she stated.

We spent the rest of Sunday being lazy and just hanging out in Averi's teepee, reading books and napping.

~Day 5~

~Family Christmas Party~

I love seeing family that we don't get to see too often. We all gather together for a delicious dinner and visit with one another. Then in comes Santa, jingle bells and all with a sack of gifts over his shoulder for all the kids. Averi refused to sit on his lap, although she did give him a kiss on the nose after he handed her a candy cane. It's tradition for Santa to bring pajamas, which I LOVE because it feels like Christmas morning with a HUGE family. Once the gifts are distributed and every child has had a chance to sit on Santa's lap, the presents are ripped open and the jammies are put on. It's adorable to see all the kids in their new Christmas PJs.

~Day 6~

~Hanging out on Main Street~

One of the great things about living in Park City is its historic main street. It's an adorable street lined with shops, restaurants and galleries. We love riding the trolley up and down main, then stopping at our favorite cozy little bookstore to visit the resident cats. As always, we go next door for a scoop of ice cream.

~Day 7~

~Temple Square~

We spent the evening in downtown Salt Lake City for some window shopping and dinner. Then on to Temple Square, which during the Christmas season, turns into a wonderland of festive lights and nativity scenes. Listening to local musicians perform is one of the highlights of visiting Temple Square and watching Averi dance and twirl to the music made it all the more magical.