What a GREAT month!

Not only is February the LOVE month with Valentine's Day, but it is the month I was born! Now I am not one of those fools that tries to pretend that I am younger than I really am... I am turning 42 today, and I am ok with that! Now... I could do without the extra softness around my middle that has taken residency since I turned 40 and all those fun meds I was on last year! But somehow watching the kids in action doesn't burn calories!

Here I am at ONE. I don't have any younger ones of me on my school computer, and I have no doubts Mom would be willing to share some beauts... but this will have to do!

Apparently someone decided that the zodiak that I have believed for as long as I can remember, has changed. According to him, I have changed to Capricorn... well... for 42 years I have been an Aquarius... I am going to continue believing that! Sorry, dude... I am not listening to your science. Not out of stupidity, but out of stubbornness! I love being an Aquarius!

Recently, I have met some great ladies, and ran into quite a few that I already knew at a great little scrap site... Scrap Friendzy! Come check out what Amy and the others have in store for us! And take a peek at the January sketch challenges! WOW!

See... February is a GREAT month!

Lights Out!

Me!

For MOM!

One of the hardest things for me to accept about mom "retiring" and moving away, is the fact that she never gets to see my tree. So... this post is for her!

Chuck came home one Friday evening a tad bit later than usual. Said it was a long drive home. Then he took us out to his truck to see what held him up... This MONSTER of a tree! It has to be the biggest one we have ever had! We have TEN foot ceilings! Needless to say, the top had to be lopped off!

Now we are very traditional when it comes to tree decorations! I like my lights white! I have a ribbon chain that is from 1972 that I made with my mother when we were waiting for my little brother to be born. It has been added to, fixed, and adjusted MANY times. But it will always go on the tree! We have ornaments that are hand made from Chuck's and my elementary school days. Probably the most treasured items! Hand made ornaments from our kids' art activities are also on there. Then we kept the tradition that our parents sort of started. When we got married, we each received a box of ornaments that were "ours" growing up. We have also started that with our kids. These are the ornaments for this year...

E's is a stopwatch to represent her running. Haven't figured out which event/run/race to personalize it with!

T's is a snow man made from baseballs with bats for hands. Anyone that knows us knows that running and baseball consume our family right now!

When the kids found the lamp ornament from our favorite Christmas movie A Christmas Story we knew Chuck HAD to have it! And my obsession for snowmen could NOT let me pass up these furry little guys! There are THREE of them, and they are just too adorable!

OK, so there is our tree... The fam? Well... E turned 15 and is always a willing participant with my camera! Mom has one of the shots in the calendar, so I do not want to ruin that one! Here is another of my faves! She is also a willing participant in T's fan club! However, she was not pleased that the temperatures were in the low 40's! That is football weather, not baseball! She was buried and covered the entire game! I don't know where those green eyes came from, but they melt my heart! And those freckles! :) And what would be a weekend without baseball? Cold or not T was rocking the diamond! This hit was yanked out of the sky by a TEN foot eight-year-old (ok, he was just big). It should have been at least a double!
And here is his attempt at catching a fly foul ball! It was IN his glove untill he hit the ground hard! Balls tend to bounce when that happens! But it was an amazing attempt! He never ceases to amaze me! Just love that enthusiasm!

Then we can NOT forget our four legged friend. The kids found this headband in the decoration boxes. I guess their first instinct was to put it on Pepper!I still can not believe that she was a willing participant! Until she headed out the dog door. The funny thing, it has bells on it, and when she hears the bells, she comes running and sits in front of you. Well, she did that day! Chuck said we are humiliating her. I say NOT!

Might have to be all for this December update! Go grab a spiced apple cider and find a good book!

Lights Out!
me

Christmas Cards...

for the most of you, the cards are in the mail, your mailbox, or you have already opened them. So excited with how the photos turned out. I showed the three final photos to Chuck and let him pick the card photo... here are the others! The top one was my favorite, but only because I loved the accidental background. If you heard the story from the kids you would have thought we were in the house of a serial killer! :)

I am so excited about the M. I had a wild hair and Chuck helped me make it! Now it is decor in my scraproom!

I still have quite a few to mail out, but waiting on addresses, a spare moment, or to see if you still exist!

Three more days of school then we are off on holiday break! Wish it was from practices as well, but at least we get a school break. Something is better than nothing!

If you don't hear from me before Christmas/New Years then Happy Holidays to all of you!

Lights Out!

me

525,600 minutes plus

Or is that times? Times 15 equals 7,884,000 minutes! I would love to start this off by saying something classy, or smart, or thought provoking; but it just isn't coming. This beautiful young lady catches my breath almost daily. And now she is turning 15l That means the world is really opening up for her. She is just amazing!

15 things about Monkey #1:
1. Has an attitude, but usually cracks a smile in the end.
2. Runs... And she is good at it! Who does that?
3. Is taking the "Pioneer Viking" spirit up another notch in HS
4. Is taking on new challenges even when they seem to catch her.
5. Is learning that there are consequences to actions and is acutally learning from them
6. Really loves her little brother and looks after him.
7. Steps up and helps out without being asked too much.
8. Unless it is feeding the dog. Don't get it, but it is almost humorous... except at 3AM when the dog is hungry.
9. Has her daddy's sense of humor
10. And his stubborn streak
11. Supports her little brother in all of his baseball stuff, even when she is bored out of her mind!
12. Is so very creative
13. Isn't afraid to show me that she loves me.
14. Means the WORLD to me!
15. Is all ours, and we love every part of her!

I love you baby, even though I am not ready for you to grow up and leave me!

Lights Out!
me

What a week...

It was full of baseball, scrapping, and high temps! Susan over at Simply Obsessed put on a great Pre-Crop list of challenges to get us geared up for the week. I showed you one of the layouts I got done from the pre-crop, so here are the rest.

A PARTY in my Garden: This layout was based on the Luau Challenge. I pulled the colors from the picture and turned it into this! I took these photos of all the flowers we had growing in our garden this past spring! I am glad I did because the summer heat isn't treating them very nicely!

I only got TWO of the crop challenges done because the rest of the weekend was run by baseball... more on that below.

TreasurE: This was the sketch challenge posted by Susan. I have been doing a ton of multi-photo layouts, so it was a blast to get back to my fave One photo layout. BG paper fit the photo of the kids perfectly. The photo was for the July Photo challenge. July 4th up at Mom's!

Summer Lovin': The other challenge that grabbed my heart was the summer hobbies layout. I took a photo of all the things I love to do during the summer. Then scrapped the heck out of it. The layout was lifted from SB Etc August

And here is why scrapping took a back seat! T's select baseball team took home a third championship of the summer. They played five undefeated games to get there! Luckily we have a break this weekend before two more to round out the summer tournament season. Fall will have fewer tournaments and more growth for the team!

Off to get the house in shape after ignoring it lately!


Lights Out!

me

Inspiration anyone?

Go check out Simply Obsessed! They are having a July crop this weekend. The pre-crop is going on right now, and there are already some GREAT challenges! Susan (SO DT member) is really coming up with some great ideas!

This was the mystery challenge Walk the Plank ended up after scraplifting my assigned layout by Karry Weaver. Here is her layout, and this is mine!

I am working on the Luau challenge right now... didn't think I had anything to work with... NOPE... I am telling you, this crop is pushing my mojo!

So come scrap with us...

Lights Out

me!

Deep Contemplation...

I know... it doesn't happen much, but tell me this... how did this little guy get to be EIGHT? It just seems like yesterday that he was this small! He is a great kid, and I am not just saying that because I am his mom!

So... EIGHT things about T:

1. Will melt your heart with his smile

2. Still loves to hold my hand and give me kisses

3. So very smart (it is scary really)

4. Could play with Legos for HOURS and makes amazing things with them

5. A natural baseball player and loves the sport

6. Gets along with everyone but is really shy

7. Just the happiest kid ever

8. Gives the BEST hugs!

So... big man... Happy Birthday to you! You and your sister are the joys to our days! Thanks for being MINE!

Went to Mom's last weekend, and boy was there some mojo there! I got four layouts (well, three complete ones and a partial one I had already started) done! They are mostly quick and easy layouts, but I am really pleased with them!

It's all in the Name: T played for a short stint on another select team.

It was the first time to have his name on his jersey! And boys does it look good!

D-Backs: This was the spring season at our little league. It was a rough season

with only two wins, but I think it is good for them to get the good

with the bad. Lesson learned.

July layout challenge at Simply Obsessed

Remember the Moments: E's photos taken right before graduation in our

front yard... I TOOK THESE! I want her to remember everything

that got her to where she is today!

100 days: T's 100th day of school, all the first graders dressed up like centenarians.

Hysterical. July sketch challenge at Simply Obsessed

Off to a baseball tournament this weekend... wish those boys luck for another championship! Hoping to see Despicable Me tomorrow for T's bday! Let see how that works out! That is all from my part of the world...

Lights Out!

me

Scrappy = Happy

And I am on cloud 9! I have really gotten quite a bit done recently... Some of these are for the crop over at Simply Obsessed , two worked for the guy challenge over at Coordinates , some where just to get me scrapping again! Seven & Fourteen: This was a "just to get scrappin' layout! Used my craft robo for the ampersand and looked for TWO plus hours for the stamp to use behind the photos! Love it when I use OLD paper like the BG strip! Clean out those supplies!

Sunshine Superman: This was for both sites... worked for the Song Title challenge and the guy challenge!

It Came True: Just because... I used new Basics line from BG for this and an old Technique Tuesday tile for the frame... and check out my QK... haven't used those fonts in a while!

Hello: Many, this is probably one of my faves from this journey through scrapping! And it really isn't much! I used a background stamp and swirl stamp to make the photo mat and covered old Maya Road chipboard letters with MME paper! Rest is my handwriting! Photo was taken as we were walking out the door for her 8th grade graduation!

Cast: At SO they had a pre-crop challenge to see if we were Sandy or Sandra Dee - I am a little of both! This is my Sandy challenge! It was supposed to be a black background, but the Sandy in me chose to use brown instead (that and the fact that once I saw the paper in daylight I realized it was brown not black in the PP) How old is that Magic Mesh and Smile thingy - OLD! This was her cast photo for her school play.

4TEEN: And here is my Sandra Dee with pink background, ribbon, and flowers! Not over the top girly, but fits E just fine! This shot was taken when we were doing the Christmas card shoot! Boy: Another "guy" layout for CC! Nothing on this page is new including the photos! hehe I handcut the circles from the patterned paper, raided Chuck's tool box for the metal pieces, and found the ancient MM fabric tag that matched perfectly!

In other news...

E is home... home... HOME! I am thrilled that she is! She has been given the job of gutting her room, so that we might be able to make it look more like the room of a high... high... are you really going to make me say it? A high schooler's room!

T and his team won their tournament in that heat! They are now two championships into the summer and have two more tournaments in July and possibly THREE come August! It will be hot, but I LOVE it!

I go to the doctor for my post op appointment on Wednesday... I am just ready to drive and be able to say I can go somewhere if I want to go! Honestly... I am digging the jammies all day, scrapping, and lazy cleaning! It is too hot to be running around! I want to scrap and work on my curriculum a bit! You don't sweat as much!

Lights Out!

me

More summer...

Surgery went off without a hitch... except for one thing! I do NOT sit still very well! I am feeling pretty strong, but I know that things are going on inside that I need to be careful with! But it is summer, it is hot, and I am just going to stay home (not allowed to drive for TWO weeks) and watch movies, scrap, and try to keep the monkeys from killing each other. Monkey #2 doesn't come home until Friday, so this week will be a little bit easier!

T's baseball team is out there playing their hearts out! They are doing pretty well in this heat and should do really well in this tournament this weekend. I am sad that I am missing such a big tournament, but secretly it is HOT! I have others to see... I can't wait!

Something else to keep me busy this week... a new little site I found Simply Obsessed is hosting a Summer Loving crop. It looks like it will be fun and a great way to keep me still at home! Go check them out... it is a sweet little site with beautfiul kits and great ladies!

Lights Out!

me

Summer is in the house...

And what a way to start!

To back up a few weeks... T and his team played five games back-t0-back in the Texas heat to win the championship for an area tournament... Much different than Little League play. Man that is some intense ball playing! And they are only SEVEN!

Then my baby "graduated" from Middle School and is heading off to our high school as a ninth grader in the fall. Man... are there some good times in her future! I can't believe how old she has gotten!

Actually got some scrapping done... some firsts since my back surgery. It felt so good to be able to get in there and work! I can't wait to get in there an get some more of this pile of photos scrapped! Will post the others later!

Faces: used the Momma Razzi line for whatI thought was "perfect" photos of my family. I think that they are just tired of seeing my camera in their faces... whatcha think?

Live: this was a picture I got of T playing with his RC boat up at Mom's! Something about his stance just makes me catch my breath! Love this kid!

Fresh: This is E at the end of sixth grade... I finally got around to scrapping this photo! Amazing to see how much she has grown in two short years! But what a zest for life! Love this one too!

After school ended, we headed for some laid back fishing at the camp... hmmm... a tiny little oil spill stopped us from bringing home dinner! Sorry babe, I know you were looking forward to that trip!

Maybe towards the end of summer, we can try again! Love you!

Lights Out!

me

Seasons...

Not Spring, Summer, Winter, or Fall, but Track, Band, and Baseball! That is what has been keeping us busy as a family. And what a great thing that is! Loads of photos, loads of traveling, loads of sunburns, and just good ole' fashion family time!

Track... If you saw the progression before these photos, you would see E kicking it into gear to pass that girl from a rival school to become THIRD in conference for the 8th grade 1600 (that is an entire mile for those of us less "track minded"). She ran that mile in 6 minutes and 27 seconds! Phew! I can't run to my car in under ten minutes!

Band... almost done with it... not sure if it will continue through high school. It is up to her, I won't push it, but I love hearing her play! This was from the big "finale" at a local college auditorium! It was an impressive afternoon filled with music from our bands, choirs, and orchestras.

Baseball... Little League is half way done, but T was picked up for a local Select Ball team, so I am pretty sure we are in it for the "Boys of Summer!" Coach says he is turning into a pretty good little ball player... I just blush and press the shutter button on my camera! DUH! I KNOW he is good! :) If you want to fund his team through his "Bat-A-Thon" let me know! :)

Off to find the aloe for the shoulders and prepare for it to start all over again tomorrow! Wouldn't change it for the world!

Lights Out!

me

Two Wake Ups

Three more classes, ten minutes left of packing, and $432+ in change, and we will be on our way HERE!

I think Chuck and I might be more excited than the kids... T gets his very first plane ride, and I wonder if he is more excited about that... it will change once we get to the Florida. He also can't wait to get to the Lego Store there! Ahhh... the joys of being a seven-year-old-boy! This was taken when we went in 2007! I can't wait to see the photo of us now... the kids have changed so much!

When we found out we were going last fall, we started saving our change... man, we didn't realize just how much we had! This is going to be so much fun.

After taking close to 2200 photos last time we went, I might spend more time watching the kids at Disney through real time than through the lens of my camera! We will see... I am bringing BG aka The Big Gun this time!

Next time you hear from us, will be through photos... I promise not to post them all!

Lights Out!

me

At the edge of your seat?

I know you all have been DYING to see all these photos I have been promising... Well, don't want to disappoint you one bit! Below see the images of T's Valentine's box! Not a stitch of pink or purple was to go onto this box! I wrapped the box and cut the hole in the top. Using my anitquated MM foam stamps, T and I stamped his name on the box... then I left the room. Next thing I know, Chuck and T are talking skulls and crossbones! Tim Holtz to the rescue! They painted them metallic black and used steel wool to add the red. He is so proud of his "Guy Box!"

Then... since I wasn't really allowed to do anything active, I decided to make 25 of these bad boys! I took a 6X6 piece of cardstock, rolled them into rolls and cross pinched the ends at cross angles to make little pillow pockets. Used my crimper to crimp the ends (helped with the glue) and added tags! I used EYELETS! There are lollipops and Hershey kisses stuffed into each pocket, and T added the names of his classmates to the tags! Doesn't it remind you of those Minute Maid popsicles from when we were kids? Man, those were good!

And here is Little Man as a Centenarian. They celebrated the 100th day of school by dressing up as 100 year old people. The kids were adorable! I wish I had permission to show you his classmates! Just too cute! His hair is painted grey, but it didn't show up very well in the photo!
I can barely imagine him as almost 8... stop growing up Little Man! He does have the grumpy old man look down pat!

What will tomorrow offer... another day... another dollar... Day two of work post surgery was a smashing success! Still stayed away from pain pills... two more days of steroids! Update later!

Lights Out!

me