Greats and Grands

I am entering this layout in two challenges.    First I started off using the January Sketch #257 by Brenshevia Baker at  "SKETCHES IN THYME"   It was perfect for a larger picture.   I printed this picture at 5x7 and then triple matted it.    My banner is from round inches I had saved from a Christmas swap years ago, but I think it works great.   My journal card is also from an old swap.   Sometimes it pays to hoard things.       Here is the sketch I used.

Next i am entering it at "THE STUDIO CHALLENGES"  Their first challenge for 2017 is....

 Review the Year - instead of looking forward to the new year ahead, I want you to look back at the year you have just had! It could be a review of the whole year, something special that happened or your favourite thing about the year, or maybe it's one you would rather forget! it's up to you!

This challenge is perfect for my picture because it features my Dad and his 4 grandkids and his 3 and 8/9 great grandkids  (my daughter on the left is 8 months pregnant).   This summer we found out my 93 year old father,  had colon cancer and was also in his lungs.   He did 4 chemo treatments but got very very sick from them.   We together decided to stop the treatment.    His goal was to be here Christmas because this was the first time in a few years that the entire family would be together, his one granddaughter and her new baby live in Australia.   Dad had never seen this baby in person and he wants to be her the end of this month for his 4th great grandchild.    Well I have to say we are blessed because once he got the chemo out of his system he has been in awesome health and not slowing down at all.   So this was our best moment of 2016 was to have Dad with us and all the family together.

Here are the links to both challenges.

SKETCHES IN THYME

THE STUDIO CHALLENGES