Happy Halloween

Hello everyone and Happy Halloween (well almost Halloween); however with the stores already hanging up Christmas decorations you’d think it was the end of November, not the end of October.  I would have to say that out of all the holidays Halloween is probably one of my favorite.  I love going pumpkin picking, carving pumpkins, roasting and eating pumpkin seeds, and of course dressing my little ones up for trick or treating.  This year we’ve picked our pumpkins, and are all set to carve them this coming Sunday.  I just went out and bought some new pumpkin patterns (yes I cheat), and I’m all set to go.  The costumes are all ready for the kids this year, they are going as pirates!  Jean loves her outfit, while Charlie is a little up in the air about the pirate hat (for some reason the boy just doesn’t like hats). 

This year Jean's preschool class went to Blakes Big Apple orchard for a hayride, and to pick apples.  Mommy wasn't on her "A" game when it came to taking good pictures; note to self check the camera setting before starting to take pictures.  Well I did have a few photos that were okay so I made a page using Forever in Blue Jeans by Seatrout Scraps & Synchronicity Template Set 3 by Seatrout Scraps.  Jean loved the hayride, and she loved the petting farm as well.  Other than the swarming yellow jackets at lunchtime the day went great.

 

While I don’t have any Halloween pictures of the kids from this year (yet), I thought I would share with everyone some photos from 2 years ago when Jean was a witch, (and a very cute witch at that).  I’m so backlogged with my scrapbooking I’m only up to 2011, (that’s why I don’t have any photos to share with you guys from last Halloween when the kids went as Mickey and Minnie mouse). 

 

(CREDITS: Ghoul School Digital Scrapbooking Collab Kit Monster High  From Trixie Scraps and Ponytails Designs)

 

(CREDITS: Witches Brew Digital Scrapbooking Collab Kit Halloween From North Meets South & Triple Play vol 2 Digital Scrapbooking Templates From Trixie Scraps)

Finally I’ve also been able to work on some pages from my wedding, yes it’s been over 4 years since Bill and I took the plunge, but I’m started to find a little time to scrap pages.  One of these days I’ll have my wedding album completed.  Hopefully it will be before the kids go to college. 

 

(CREDITS: God Gave Me You Elements, Kit Papers, Cardstock, Bonus Paper from Trixie Scraps & October Templetopia Templates from North Meets South)

 

 

(CREDITS: God Gave Me You Elements, Kit Papers, Cardstock, Bonus Paper, Bonus Alpha, and Journal Bits from Trixie Scraps & Large and In Charge Template set from Trixie Scraps)

One of these days I’ll be caught up with my scrapbooking, but until then I’ll enjoy working on my pages and taking more photos of the family.  With any luck I’ll have a least 1 2013 Halloween page done before Thanksgiving so I can show everyone how big the kids are getting. 

Until Next Time....

September Highs and Lows

This month has been full of highs and lows and while many tears had been shed; laughter and smiles have been shared as well.  To start things off this month Jean started her first day of school (3-yr old preschool)!  She was super excited about it, but I think she was even more excited about the backpack Bill and I bought for her.  She’s in love with Princess’s right now and LOVED her princess backpack.  She proudly wore it to school on her first day.  I even had time this month to download the photos of her and make a couple of 1^st day of school scrapbook pages! 

Apples for Teacher from Trixie Scraps
http://store.gingerscraps.net/Apples-for-Teacher-Kit-by-Trixie-Scraps-Designs.html

Template: Three Four Shut the Door Tempate Set From Little Rad Trio
http://store.gingerscraps.net/Three-Four-Open-the-Door-templates.html

 

Apples for Teacher from Trixie Scraps
http://store.gingerscraps.net/Apples-for-Teacher-Kit-by-Trixie-Scraps-Designs.html
September Templatopia From North Meets South
http://store.gingerscraps.net/September-2013-Templatetopia.html

 

Almost right after school started for Jean, Charlie had his 2^nd birthday.  We celebrated it with family and friends at a nearby park.  The weather did hold out, however it was touch and go as it started to down pour about an hour before his party, but by the time things got started the rain was gone.  The only real problem we had that day was my bad directions.  Everyone ended up at the wrong park!  Charlie loved all of her presents, but I think his favorite present was the one from his Uncle Tom and Aunt Laura; they got him a toy fire engine.  Charlie plays with it all the time, but the one thing that Uncle Tom and Aunt Laura forgot to wrap up was ear plugs for Mommy and Daddy.  That this is loud!  This is where I will admit I am a “bad” mommy.  I haven’t downloaded his birthday pictures yet, so no photos to share right now, maybe next month?!?!?!

Now that about covers the first week of September!  From that point on its’ been a complete mess.  I left the day after Charlie’s birthday to go out of town for meetings for nearly a week, just to come back and leave again.  Unfortunately that trip was cut very short.  Usually if I’m able to come home early from being out of town I’m excited, but this time was different.  I received a call from my mom early Tuesday morning to inform me that my aunt who has been battling on and off with breast cancer had lost her fight.  My family knew she had been very sick, but didn’t expect the cancer to take her away from us so soon, and suddenly.  In memory of my aunt, I have changed my Facebook photo and will keep it the way it is until the end of October, which is Breast Cancer awareness month.  I hope it serves as a reminder for all woman over the age of 40 (or younger depending on family history) to go and get a mammogram.  For those who haven’t seen my Facebook photo here it is.  (Using the “Think Pink” page kit from ViolaMoni and Miss Mis Designs).  I also have created a second Facebook photo for anyone to use who wishes to show their support for Breast Cancer awareness in October.

 

 

I hate to finish my blog post on such a serious note, but I think for this month this is a fitting end to my post.

Until Next Time…

Vacation Anyone!?!?!?!

Vacation anyone?  I could use another one!  I just got back from a week-long vacation with my two little ones.  Bill had to stay home, because he didn’t have the vacation time at work so I went solo, (well sort of solo).  The kids and I (with my grandpa in toe) trekked up to St. Joseph Island in Canada for our week adventure.  We were joined by my parents, sister (and her family), and one of my brothers (and his family).  All together there were 14 people in 1 cabin (with only 1 bathroom).  We survived and had so much fun!  The weather could have been warmer, and the wind calmer, but bad (or not so good) weather on vacation beats the best weather while at work.  Not to mention that the kids didn’t seem to care if it was only 70 degrees out, they went in the lake (clothes and all) anyway! 

                  It was also great to see my dad’s family, my aunts and uncles and cousins that I don’t get to see all that often.  It was fun to get with everyone again, and I really enjoyed that so much. 

                  While on vacation I realized that summer is almost over with.  Already its half way through august and I can’t believe how fast time has flown by.  I’ve been so busy with work and kids that I haven’t had a chance to slow down, and it doesn’t look like slowing down is in my future either.  Bill and I just got done signing the kids up for a 9 week tumbling class that starts August 24^th (less than 2 weeks away).  The kids should enjoy the class; it looks like a lot of fun.  I can’t wait for them to start, it will be something to do with them on Saturday mornings, and maybe it will wear them out and they’ll take good naps! 

                  Over the past couple of months (since I last updated this blog) Bill and I have been busy with the kids.  I have, however, been able to get some scrapbooking done.  I would say the ‘biggest’ life event we had this summer was Charlie’s “summer” haircut.  He wasn’t too sure about the whole thing, he has had haircuts in the past but never this drastic.  I scrapbooked a page with him and his new look, I think I might have to create a nice two page layout for our 2013 book that shows the before and after “Charlie”.  (Page was creating using Trixie Scrap Designs “That’s My Boy “Bundle http://www.trixiescraps.com/shop/value-bundles-40-off-every-day/that-s-my-boy-digital-scrapbooking-value-bundle)

                  I have also had a chance to take a picture I took of Jean this June at her Aunt Beth’s house running through the sprinkler and scrap that.  This also might be another topic that may become a two page layout for the 2013 book. (Page was created using Trixie Scrap Designs “Sunshine Day” Bundle http://www.trixiescraps.com/shop/value-bundles-40-off-every-day/sunshine-day-digital-scrapbooking-bundle-summer-pool-beach and using Seatrout Scraps “Summer Bytes Part 3” Template Set http://scrapbookbytes.com/store/product.php?productid=44586&cat=300) 

                  Finally I have a page that I did turn into a 2 page layout I’ll post the 2^nd page soon, but I have the first page here.  I finished this page and loved it so much that I did a second page that features Charlie having fun at the playground.  (Page was created using Trixie Scrap Designs “Sunshine Day” Bundle http://www.trixiescraps.com/shop/value-bundles-40-off-every-day/sunshine-day-digital-scrapbooking-bundle-summer-pool-beach and Triple Play Vol. 2 Templates, also by Trixie Scrap Designs http://www.trixiescraps.com/shop/newest-releases/triple-play-vol-2-digital-scrapbooking-templates-psd-tiff )

                 

                 

In the next couple of months I’ll be posting some pages I created using my favorite photos from my own wedding.  I’ve been so slow at scrapbooking my wedding (it’s been just over 4 years since the big day), and with my brother’s wedding coming up on New Year’s Eve I’ve been more motivated to get my wedding scrapbooked. 

                  Wow I just realized that I’m so behind on getting my own albums done.  I have to do 2011, 2012, 2013 and my wedding!!!!  What am I waiting for, and where do I start?  Do I start with 2011 and work forward, or do I start with 2013 and work backwards????  At least I know that I’ll have plenty of awesome kits to choose from with the great designers I currently create layouts for.  Thanks to you ladies: Tracey Anderson (designer of Trixie Scraps Designs) https://www.facebook.com/#!/trixiescraps , Rachel Pearce (designer of Seatrout Scraps) https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Seatrout-Scraps/206135582852424 , Jennifer Jenson (designer of Little Rad Trio) https://www.facebook.com/LittleRadTrio and Jennifer Lamb Page (designer of Luv Ewe Designs) https://www.facebook.com/#!/luvewedesigns for all the wonderful kits and templates to work with!  If you are a digital scrapbooking addict (like me) or maybe just dabble in it a bit check these ladies out, and “Like” their facebook pages!

Until Next Time…

Zoo Trip

It's me again (yes 2 times in one month with a post, I think that's a record for me)!
In my last post I wrote a bit about our trip to the zoo.  We went in the beginning of May (which last year was pretty warm) it was cold this year and the kids, while bundled up, were able to see the animals moving around a bit more then if it were warmer. 

This was Charlie's 1st visit to the Detroit zoo, and I think he loved it.  The kids got to ride on the carousel for the first time, they both seemed to enjoy it.  While Jean has been to the zoo before and has ridden the train there Charlie rode it for the first time.  The kids did really well walking around, they didn't mind being in the stroller or in the wagon or just walking, and neither one of them gave Bill or I any trouble. 

Aside from the train and the carousel one of my favorite things to do at the zoo is walk through the Outback Adventure area.  This is a part of the zoo where you get to walk on a path through the Kangaroo habitat.  We didn't have any Kangaroo's cross our path, but we did see a couple of boxing Kangaroos, (I think it was matting season).  That was something I have never seen before, it was so cool.  I took quite a few photos of the fight, but I didn't have my camera focused right so the photos aren't the best.  I took the best one I had and made a scrapbook layout of it.  (Layout made using Trixie Scraps Designs King of the Pride Kit and add-ons, and June 2013 Templatopia Pack).



From Trixie Scraps Designs
King of the Pride Elements/Alpha
http://www.gottapixel.net/store/prod...t=0&page=1
King of the Pride Papers
http://www.gottapixel.net/store/prod...t=0&page=1
King of the Pride Glitters
http://www.gottapixel.net/store/prod...uctid=10002219
King of the Pride Card Stock
http://www.gottapixel.net/store/prod...uctid=10002218
June 2013 Templatetopia from North Meets South Designs
http://www.gottapixel.net/store/prod...698d9cd9338ec0

Pretty cool isn't it?!?!?! 

I was able to get a few pretty cool picture of Charlie and Bill at the rhino exhibit, (I used Trixie Scrap Designs King of the Pride kit for the layout I created here along with Seatrout Scraps Summer Bytes Template part 1).

From Trixie Scraps Designs
King of the Pride Elements/Alpha
http://www.gottapixel.net/store/prod...t=0&page=1
King of the Pride Papers
http://www.gottapixel.net/store/prod...t=0&page=1
King of the Pride Glitters
http://www.gottapixel.net/store/prod...uctid=10002219
King of the Pride Card Stock
http://www.gottapixel.net/store/prod...uctid=10002218
Summer Bytes part 1 template Set From Seatrout Scraps
http://scrapbookbytes.com/store/digi...ytespart1.html

I love how Bill has Charlie on his shoulders looking back and the rhino is just chilling out in the background.

We had a ton of great memories at the zoo, and unfortunately I didn't have time to scrap them all, but I didn't want to leave out any photos from the blog post, so here are a few other of my favorite photos.

Jean and the Lion (Photo taken by Mommy)



Jean and Charlie with the Bear (Photo taken by Mommy)



Jean on the Carousel (Photo taken by Daddy)



Charlie and Daddy on the Carousel (Photo taken by Mommy)



Charlie and Daddy on the Carousel (Photo taken by Mommy)



Charlie and Mommy on the Train (Photo taken by Daddy)

Well that's about it for now.  Another fun filled weekend is ahead.  I'm going to take the kids to my sisters house for a late Father's Day party with my family, and to enjoy the Red Cedar Festival.  I can't wait to see everyone, it's felt like forever since I got together with my family.  I know Jean is excited to see her cousins and to show off her new "potty" skills.  Which I must add she is doing very well with the potty training, last week while I was out of town for work she only had 2 accidents!!!!  Now if I could only get Charlie out of diapers!

Until Next Time...

It's June.... Really?!?!?!

Wow what a busy month.  What happened to May?  Now that June is here summertime activities are starting up, and before I know it, I’ll be dragging my kids to graduation parties, BBQ’s, parks and the lake.  Plus Bill and I are thinking of putting the kids in a tumbling class (we still have to decide).  Already in May we’ve done so much.  Earlier this past month was Jean’s 3^rd birthday, then we took the kids to the Detroit Zoo, (this was Charlie’s 1^st visit to the zoo), and finally we wrapped up the month with the Memorial Day parade in St. Clair Shores.  Of course we have tons of photos from everything (except the parade, Mommy accidentally left the camera at home).  I’m working right now on scrapbooking a lot of the photos, and I can’t wait to share my pages with everyone!

Mommy had a busy travel month for work, I started off going to Kalkaska MI for a couple of days and rounded off the month with a week long conference in Orlando FL (of course Mommy had to enjoy a ½ day at Disney World, Magic Kingdom just to scope it out for a future vacation).  The whole time I was away I missed the kids like crazy, I nearly cried at Disney when I saw all the family’s there having fun.  Now Mommy is in Scranton PA for the week, and I'm looking forward to being home and staying home for a couple of months after this trip.

On a very happy note I think Jean has finally figured the whole potty training things out!  Memorial Day weekend Bill and I decided it was time to cut the cord (or should I say do away with the pull-ups).  Jean went the whole weekend in just underwear (other than bedtime), it was a disaster (and a huge mess).  I was washing underwear and pants constantly wondering what the heck I was thinking.  I thought that after Saturday she would figure things out, but when Tuesday came and she was going back to daycare with no success at home I just about gave up.  The week after Memorial Day was slightly better than the weekend, but only slightly.  We finally had a breakthrough the Friday after Memorial Day when she went potty at daycare, and then at home (multiple times)!  Since then she's been doing great with very few accidents and she's even now telling us when she has to go "potty"! Although whenever we go out now she 'always' needs to use the potty, and then announces to everyone that she went 'pee-pee' on the potty afterwards!  Below is a scrapbook page I created for Jean of our potty training experience.  I used Trixie Scrap Designs Bratitude elements, glitters, papers and alpha, and Seatrout Scraps Bright and Breezy Template Set Part 1 to create the page below!  

From Trixie Scrap Designs:
Bratitude Elements
Bratitude Paper
Bratitude Glitter
Bratitude Alpha
From Seatrout Scraps:
Template Set Bright and Breezy Part 1

Not only is Jean becoming a big girl using the potty I can’t believe how fast Charlie is growing up, (I know I always am saying that the kids are growing up too fast).  I feel like he was just a little guy barely walking and causing almost no trouble.  Now he’s running around like a mad man and getting into everything that’s not locked up.  Between him and his sister I need to have eyes in the back of my head.  I just finished a scrapbook page of Charlie from photos I took the beginning of May and was comparing it to another page I created using photos from last August, boy has he gotten big!  What do you think, take a look at the layouts and see how big my boy is getting.  The first layout is from last August (using Trixie Scrap Designs That's my Boy and North Meet South June 2013 Templatetetopia Template), the second page was from earlier in May (using Trixie Scrap Designs One Crazy Kid and Brie-utiful template set from Seatrout Scraps)

From Trixie Scrap Designs
That's my Boy Page Kit
That's my Boy Word Art
That's my Boy Bonus Paper
That's my Boy Card Stock
From North Meet South:
June 2013 Templatetopia 

From Trixie Scrap Designs
One Crazy Kid Kit
One Crazy Kid Page Titles
One Crazy Kid Card Stock
From Seatrout Scraps:
Brie-utiful Template Set

Well that's about it for now, I'll keep everyone posted on my family and the fun things we are doing as the summer progresses.  So what are your summer plans, (or summer bucket list)?  

Unit Next Time...

My Little Girl is now 3!!!!

Once again time has seemed to have gotten away from me.  I can't believe how fast my kids are growing, it feels like just the other day they were small enough for me to cradle in my arms *sigh*.  My latest reminder of how fast my kids are growing was on May 5th when my little girl turned 3.  It's interesting how fast they grow up and how their interests change as they get older.  Last year when Jean turned 2 she was all about Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and now she's into princess's.  I can't wait to see what she likes next year.

For Jean's 3rd birthday we had a Princess themed party for her.  We had a princess cake, and she even wore her princess dress (Sleeping Beauty).  I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone (on Jean's behalf) for all her birthday gifts.  She loves all of her new clothes and toys. 

For those who may not have seen Jean in her "Princess" dress I included a scrapbook page I created using an amazing Disney themed kit from Trixie Scarps Designs. 



Trixie Scraps Designs:
 Just One Kiss: Page Kit
Just One Kiss: Glitter Paper
Just One Kiss: Word Art
Star Struck Vol. 15: Template Set (Slightly Modified)

Not to leave Charlie out of this post I also took quite of few photos of him on Jean's birthday.  He is so big!  Just last year he wasn't even walking, heck he wasn't even a year old, and now look at him!  Lately he's been big into playing in the dirt.  When we are outside he'll bring me chunks of dirt, I am not looking forward to the day he starts bring me spiders or anyother creepy crawly things. 



Seatrout Scraps:Wavy Navy Template
Jenn Barrette Designs: Explore Page Kit

 The next couple of months promise to be busy for me and my family.  Now that summer is here we have graduation parties to attend, vacations and day trips to take, and a ton of outdoor yard work to finish. 

Unit Next Time...

Finally some photos to share!!!

Alright as promised earlier this week I have some photos to share.

First up is a scrapbook page I made of my daughter on Easter Morning

I used "Gear Up" Template by Seatrout Scraps and "Beautiful Girl" Kit by Armina Designs

Next is also my daughter, this is from St. Patrick's day where she really Rocked it on as set of drums at my friends Kris and Tina's house

I used "Cheyanne Spring" Tempate by Seatrout Scraps and "This Chick Can Rock" & "This Dude Can Rock" kits from Inspired Designs

Finally a page using my son!  This was taken a couple of days before Easter when it was time for Mommy to clean house.  I snapped this photo of my little man when he was "helping" his Mommy dust!  What a wonderful little helper I have!

I used "Cheyanne spring" Template by Seatrout Scraps and "A Perfect Mess" Kit by Kristen Aagard Designs

That's all I have for now, but stay tuned for Monday.  If I have time (while I'm out of town for work) I will post a few more pages that I have. 

Until Next Time...