Take a HIKE

We spent some much needed family time hiking around the lake this weekend. The sudden immersion into a flurry of school and after-school activities took its toll on us this week...

At the lake we saw some wonderful wildlife: turtles & birds, bugs and worms, fawns grazing with their mothers, blue herons and more. But the highlight was being followed by a group of playful otters! They were just so cute.

C walked the whole way around the entire lake! B walked a lot too but after all, he is only one.

MAMMOTH Cave

Here is the layout from our spelunking trip a couple weeks ago. I just love these big chipboard letters, so easy to sand a bit of color off for a nicely distressed look. After I distressed the letters I used some distress inks on the green CS until it looked a little less bright. I used a sketch from 2 Peas for this layout and added lots of different ribbon trims. It is a quite a departure from my normal pages but I think I like it. PPs are Kraft and Crate Paper, floss is Karen Foster.

Welcome Kitty!

We picked up a new furry friend from the local shelter yesterday. She is so sweet, very purry and is getting along with all our other furry friends. Kitty doesn't love the pooch yet, but she is warming up quickly. She and Tigger are getting on great! We haven't quite decided on a name for her yet. At the shelter, her name was Gloaming, which means Twilight so we are considering that one. We are also trying out: Puff, Pouncer, Kit Kat, Sweet Fur, and Bitty Kitty. Puff is in the lead. Stay tuned~

Scarlet Lime

I've been playing with my kit from Scarlet Lime. WOW, what a TON of stuff they pack into their kits! I have barely made a dent and I already have two layouts completed and a third "ready to stick." I really love the cool beaded element that I put across the top of the wagon picture.
These photos are a few years old...working on M's Kindergarten album now that C has started. Happy Sunday!
 

Football Practice

So this is what the rest of us do while G has practice. Thankfully, there is a GREAT park next to the practice fields. Grandpa helps out when I am overbooked (when am I NOT???)~he helps so much just driving the kiddos back and forth, back and forth. Thanks Dad!!!

Birthday Card

This was my very first attempt at making a birthday card. Incredibly FUN to make!!! It all starts with a simple piece of cardstock that measures 5 1/2 by 12. If you'd like details see the craftiblog link below.
Happy Birthday Shannon!


http://craftiblog.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/2009-04-23-quad-fold-card-sample-tutorial/

First Day 2009

It was one of those typical "first day" mornings. It was mostly about clothes. What to wear? Do I have to? Why this? Why not? Hence all the cute little clotheslines. The GAME OVER paper under the photo represents the loss of free time that inevitable comes with the start of school. All PP is Cosmo Cricket's Boyfriend line. I just love all those shiny new pencils!

School Days~~~

First Day 2009
7th, 5th, 3rd, Kindergarten

ROCKS

Here is a favorite layout done with Cosmo Cricket's Early Bird line. Ghost letters are Heidi Swapp. They are distressed with ink and attached with TH's tiny Attacher. I just love the looks on his face! The boy does love his rocks!!!

FOOTBALL

G had his first game yesterday. He made the tackle on the very first play of the game and got to hear HIS name announced over the loudspeaker. He was pretty thrilled with that~


































I seem to follow B around with my camera all the time now so here are a couple from the last few days. His eczema is clearing up, FINALLY!

~~At the PARK~~

We went to the park and B had such fun sliding. N was always right on his heels - such the AWESOME big brother!!! B's hair stood straight up every time he went down the slide so I just had to get it in the scrapbook~~~
Flowers are prima, buttons & acrylic are Bo Bunny and PP is Making Memories Giggle Kids. This is more from the My Creative Scrapbook August Kit. I LOVE these KITS!

Summer Slips Away

The last few lazy days of summer have quickly slipped away. We celebrated Mom's birthday, 49 again. And Dad is back!


B in his swing~~

G practicing for football in the yard~~

N sporting his braces~~

DROP everything AND READ

Here are the boys on a very early spring afternoon a couple years ago. It was one of the first days that it was warm enough to play outside so they went out to rollerblade. Later, when I looked out the window, they had dropped their gear all over the lawn and plopped down on a picnic blanket with books.
This layout is made using the My Creative Scrapbook August Creative Kit. PP is Making Memories and the buttons and clear elements are Bo Bunny. This kit was packed with TONS of fun stuff!

Spelunking!

We drove up to Mammoth Caves in Kentucky last week. It was a great little day trip. There are such beautiful trails to walk there. I, of course, grabbed lots of shots along the way. A favorite is of N, a week before he gets his braces.

They have quite the access door to the cave, it reminded me of the book, The City of Ember, if you haven't read that one, do. B was all smiles before we went through the door. We were in the cave for a couple of hours and went up and down about 400 steps. The cave was neat but I do think I enjoyed the trails even more ~ and they were FREE!

The End~~~of Kindergarten

Here is a new page with old pictures. Funny to be scrapping pictures of one finishing Kindergarten when I have another starting this week!
This page features the Ducks in a Row line from October Afternoon. The whimsy of the line so fit with the pictures of M picking flowers at recess. Fence and butterflies are cut with Sizzix, lollipops are punched and the rest are OA diecuts. Lots of inked edges and pop dots on this one to play up that whimsical feel.

More from the Fair~~~

Strong man hit the bell with ease -3 TIMES IN A ROW. C planted a seed at the Little Farmers exhibit while N & B hung out in the rockers by the big tractor. Mr. Gentry told me C asked him if it was real or just pretend! M & G had a great time flying and B tried his first bite of cotton candy after much effort on my part. He kept tossing it on the ground so I finally stuffed some in his mouth for him. He promptly asked for more. Happy Monday!

Rough Road

I had lots of fun with this layout. I began by crumpling up all the awesome PP from October Afternoon's Road Map. It just shocks my kids when I do this! Then I played with distressing, tearing and inking the edges. I machine stitched the newly distressed papers to the CS and distressed some more with my Tim Holtz gear and Aged Mahogany Distress Ink. I added some stamping and the clock came out way too dark so I sanded it a bit. I was going for a really "rough" look.

Oh, not sure what dd's issue was, can't remember. It's always something...

County FAIR

It's time for the fair around here so off we went this morning. We found out that you need to watch the baby while you are picking out prizes for winning the balloon dart game. The baby stuck one!!! Click on the picture to see him in action. He also REALLY enjoyed the rides but his favorite was the antique fridge with MILK inside. We all had a fun-filled morning!