I have been thinking along the same lines. But I have never done a scrapbook. I will be a grandmother in Dec and I have been saving all emails from my son and his wife. Thought I'd do a scrapbook titled......"The Year Before Me." Would be given to the baby sometime. I have saved emailed pictures and emails from my son and daughter-in-law. I'm not sure where to start but plan on doing this.

This sounds fabulous Rosie. It's almost like a baby book in reverse. It could end with the birth announcement.

I ordered a maple (wood) and leather album today and will try to think about how to do this. It's a bit hard getting started. Trying to figure out if I want to do it like the baby is talking and explaining or if the parents are talking.........????

Rosie, how about you doing the talking. I think it would be great so he/she can know how Grandma feels and what she did for them.

That's cool....hadn't thought of that.
Like "your Dad had a busy year in college the year before you were born. Here is one of his stressful emails......."

LOL

Sounds good to me. Just as long as it's tastefully done and doesn't embarrass Daddy.

Granny2shoes.
Just had to tell you that I read your Mansion On The Hill story. It was a fantastic read, very well done. What a fine addition to your scrapbook of memories.
Sapphires

I think you have a marvelous idea. I am trying to "retro-write" my dear Grandma's stories. I'm doing a scrapbook that includes all the photos she had in her house when she died. They go back to the very early 1900s. I'm including "history stories" I remember her telling about her parents and grandparents.

I've asked aunts and cousins to write their "stories" too. I want to make a big "Our Family History" book. I've asked for everything they are comfortable with sharing. The good, the bad, the happy, the sad, and in some cases the down-right ugly. I hope to make it a complete picture of our family.

Caroline, that is a mighty ambitious undertaking. I wish you lots of luck with your "Our Family History". I'm afraid in my family I am senior person and I have forgotten more than I can remember. What a shame.

Sapphires, thank you for the compliment on my story. I have not done the page yet but was going to take a class on pop-up pages. I'd like to pop-up a silhouette "Bates House" on that page. I just keep seeing it in my mind's eye.

Neat idea. If you have 'period' photos that go with the stores, it would be cool to add the photos. Or at least photos of yourself at that age.

I have very few photos of my grandparents, but they don't start until high school gradution. I'd love to picture my parents and grands as kids!

I wish I knew some stories about my grandparents. I have photos but don't know that I know them. I hope to add some photos to match the time period. But I really wanted a lot of text. I think the best thing I can do is use my writings as is. If I start doctoring them, they'll lose something. Thanks for all the helpful hints. I enjoy getting them.