Actually, this was a Hostess club page that we did back in November. I just added the ribbon and buttons! Still, you should be impressed!
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Lavender & Honey - 4 Cards 1 Kit
2 weeks ago
Friday, December 28, 2007
My Christmas Layout!
Can you believe that it has only been 3 days since Christmas and I'm already done with my Christmas page!! Ha!
Actually, this was a Hostess club page that we did back in November. I just added the ribbon and buttons! Still, you should be impressed!
Actually, this was a Hostess club page that we did back in November. I just added the ribbon and buttons! Still, you should be impressed!
Our Christmas Card
For those of you who didn't get a Christmas card (sorry, we have HUGE families!!), this is the picture we sent out! It was originally a 12x12 digital page that I shrunk down to 4x4, put on a 4x6 canvas, added text to the right and had printed at Snapfish. I thought I was being so clever and fiscally wise until Mitch reminded me that postage is 43¢ EACH, plus the cost of the printing and envelopes! Oh well! It was fun and I finally transferred all of my addresses from my ancient Palm Pilot to a spreadsheet so that I can print labels next year.
Catching up . . . Thanksgiving
Journaling:
Our trip down to California for Thanksgiving was so wonderful! The boys did great in the car (thanks to some books on CD!) and we arrived at the Lusk's house after driving for 14 hours straight.
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity with tiny bits of downtime to just catch up with family. Some of the highlights:
A HUGE spread with 3 turkeys, way too many potatoes (mashed and sweet), tons of stuffing, corn, rolls, and about 7 different desserts. All of this AFTER eating a table full of hors d'oeuvres.
Going Black Friday shopping with all the grown up girls and Dad! We MUST do this again!
Playing games with Rob & Rachel, Tim & Sara, Mitch, Angela, Nick, Jen and Mom.
Cole comforting Cara. Grant loving cousin Daniel.
Trashing the girl's room.
Opening Christmas presents. Grant got Light Sabers!
Going out for Chinese food.
Relaxing at Mom and Dad's house. Scrapbooking with Angela. Online shopping!
The beautiful weather on the trip back.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Christmas Pictures!
Here are some pictures from Christmas morning! I have had an exhausting time trying to get these pictures up, so I will tell you about Christmas later . . .
Saturday, December 8, 2007
No Will Power
Earlier this week, we decided to take the whole family to Walmart. Grant wanted to buy his brother a light saber for Christmas so that the three guys in our family could play light sabers together. We counted out his money (his OWN money from his piggy bank) and set aside $7. We went to Walmart, found the GREEN light saber (Star Wars sword), tested it right there in the aisle (yes, it is a good fighter) and put it in our little cart.
Then, Grant saw the Disney Cars section. There were new cars.
It has now been 18 months since we saw the movie for the first time, and Grant is STILL obsessed. He collects the die cast cars. NOT the plastic ones. NOT the plush toys. NOT the huge ones. NOT the pull back ones. He wants the real thing. He owns about 6 different Lightning McQueen's (2 regular, 1 Radiator Springs, 2 Dirt Track, Dinoco McQueen . . . and I think that is it), 3 Ramones (purple, green, yellow), 2 Doc Hudsons (regular and Hudson Hornet). Get it? If another version comes out, Grant HAS to have it. He has ALL of the cars. Well, he did until this night.
Little did Grant know, Mitch bought a bunch of new ones about a month ago and has been hiding them until Christmas. I forgot which ones he bought, so when I saw RPM when we were down in California for Thanksgiving, I bought it. Now, Grant has 2. This is how it happens. Grant will be receiving Bling Bling McQueen, a new Doc Hudson with ear phones, a red Ramone, a Tex Dinoco, a Dinoco Chick . . . and maybe more. I can't remember.
Okay, so back to the story. Grant LOVES these cars. He starts trying to negotiate with me. "Mom! I'll pay you back! But they only cost $3! I have $3 at home!" Grant is FOUR.
We got up to the checkout and he is still trying to negotiate, but I can hear the frog in his voice that is telling me that he is on the verge of some serious emotional pain. Still, I hold firm. His throat is aching with his attempt to stay strong, but I could just see the meltdown coming, so I sent him with Mitch to get into the car.
When I got there, Mitch was standing outside in the cold rain with the boys safely tucked into their car seats and the doors closed. "We had a serious Meltdown," Mitch says.
We got in the car and Grant is SOBBING. Poor guy. If he only knew! I told him he had to get control of himself. It was time to stop crying. He said, "But, I cccan't ssstop."
"Yes, you can," I replied. "It just takes will-power."
"But I don't have any wwwill-pppower!"
And, so it began. Grant now uses that phrase ALL the time. "It just takes will-power, Cole. You can do it!" "I don't have enough will-power for that, mom." It has been fun listening to the different ways he uses his new phrase. All in the appropriate context. Very smart kid!
Then, Grant saw the Disney Cars section. There were new cars.
It has now been 18 months since we saw the movie for the first time, and Grant is STILL obsessed. He collects the die cast cars. NOT the plastic ones. NOT the plush toys. NOT the huge ones. NOT the pull back ones. He wants the real thing. He owns about 6 different Lightning McQueen's (2 regular, 1 Radiator Springs, 2 Dirt Track, Dinoco McQueen . . . and I think that is it), 3 Ramones (purple, green, yellow), 2 Doc Hudsons (regular and Hudson Hornet). Get it? If another version comes out, Grant HAS to have it. He has ALL of the cars. Well, he did until this night.
Little did Grant know, Mitch bought a bunch of new ones about a month ago and has been hiding them until Christmas. I forgot which ones he bought, so when I saw RPM when we were down in California for Thanksgiving, I bought it. Now, Grant has 2. This is how it happens. Grant will be receiving Bling Bling McQueen, a new Doc Hudson with ear phones, a red Ramone, a Tex Dinoco, a Dinoco Chick . . . and maybe more. I can't remember.
Okay, so back to the story. Grant LOVES these cars. He starts trying to negotiate with me. "Mom! I'll pay you back! But they only cost $3! I have $3 at home!" Grant is FOUR.
We got up to the checkout and he is still trying to negotiate, but I can hear the frog in his voice that is telling me that he is on the verge of some serious emotional pain. Still, I hold firm. His throat is aching with his attempt to stay strong, but I could just see the meltdown coming, so I sent him with Mitch to get into the car.
When I got there, Mitch was standing outside in the cold rain with the boys safely tucked into their car seats and the doors closed. "We had a serious Meltdown," Mitch says.
We got in the car and Grant is SOBBING. Poor guy. If he only knew! I told him he had to get control of himself. It was time to stop crying. He said, "But, I cccan't ssstop."
"Yes, you can," I replied. "It just takes will-power."
"But I don't have any wwwill-pppower!"
And, so it began. Grant now uses that phrase ALL the time. "It just takes will-power, Cole. You can do it!" "I don't have enough will-power for that, mom." It has been fun listening to the different ways he uses his new phrase. All in the appropriate context. Very smart kid!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sleeping in Seattle
(I started writing this on Nov. 19th and just finished it tonight - Dec 2nd. I'm so lazy!)
We just got back from our trip to Seattle, and WOW, was it wonderful! I had a blast just hanging out with my husband, taking walks in downtown Seattle, attending an NFL football game, and SLEEPING!! Ahh . . . what a wonderful bed!
Here are the highlights (or the play-by-play):
We dropped the boys off at their grandparents' house on Friday night so we could stay out late at Mitch's PCAR banquet and get on the road early the next morning. So, after sleeping in, we swung by Dutch Bros. for that precious Annihilator on our way out of town. Once we hit the Seattle area, our first stop was to see Rob and Rachel. We met up at the Cost Plus down by Pike Place and then drove on over to their adorable house in West Seattle. We enjoyed hanging out with Rob, Rachel, and a few of Rachel's family members who were visiting for Rachel's birthday. We left a couple of hours later and checked into our hotel.
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel is located about 5 blocks from Pike Place Market. Our room was located on the 3rd floor (which is really about 5 stories up) on the CORNER!! What this meant was that we had 3 windows and a GREAT view of the city, including a little bit of the Sound. Our room was beautiful and the bed was so comfortable! I slept so wonderfully!
That first night (Saturday), we had a 5 course meal in one of the hotel dining rooms reserved for our State Farm group. The food was delicious!
The next morning, we got up early for breakfast (too yummy!) and then went for a walk to burn off all of the calories we just consumed. It was pretty cool feeling like rich people walking out the front doors of a fancy hotel with a hotel umbrella (just in case) slung over my wrist. We shopped, but alas, didn't buy. It was so cool walking around downtown. I felt a little hip.
Around noon, we met up with the rest of the group in the lobby of the hotel, then hopped on the charter bus for the short drive to the stadium. SO MANY people were walking to the game. It was so cool to see an ocean of Seahawks fans flowing toward the stadium. We got a great parking spot and didn't have to walk far to get in. Once again, I felt kind of cool.
So, once we entered the stadium we walked around and around the ramp to get to our seats in the far upper corner of the stadium. To call it the nose bleed section would be a total understatement. We were about 5 rows off the TOP row. We were surrounded by Bears fans. It was hysterical! We had such a fun time NOT being cool (I whooped and hollered and swing my green foam thingy time after time). The Seahawks won. It was awesome!
After the game, we went back to the hotel for a time of refreshments, and then went out to dinner with a little group of agents and their spouses (or kids . . . whichever).
The next morning, a little more shopping, then on home to Dallas, Oregon! It was a great trip!
This is me with a superfan. Like I said, we were not cool. "Can my wife take her picture with you sir?":
The view from the nose bleed section:
We just got back from our trip to Seattle, and WOW, was it wonderful! I had a blast just hanging out with my husband, taking walks in downtown Seattle, attending an NFL football game, and SLEEPING!! Ahh . . . what a wonderful bed!
Here are the highlights (or the play-by-play):
We dropped the boys off at their grandparents' house on Friday night so we could stay out late at Mitch's PCAR banquet and get on the road early the next morning. So, after sleeping in, we swung by Dutch Bros. for that precious Annihilator on our way out of town. Once we hit the Seattle area, our first stop was to see Rob and Rachel. We met up at the Cost Plus down by Pike Place and then drove on over to their adorable house in West Seattle. We enjoyed hanging out with Rob, Rachel, and a few of Rachel's family members who were visiting for Rachel's birthday. We left a couple of hours later and checked into our hotel.
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel is located about 5 blocks from Pike Place Market. Our room was located on the 3rd floor (which is really about 5 stories up) on the CORNER!! What this meant was that we had 3 windows and a GREAT view of the city, including a little bit of the Sound. Our room was beautiful and the bed was so comfortable! I slept so wonderfully!
That first night (Saturday), we had a 5 course meal in one of the hotel dining rooms reserved for our State Farm group. The food was delicious!
The next morning, we got up early for breakfast (too yummy!) and then went for a walk to burn off all of the calories we just consumed. It was pretty cool feeling like rich people walking out the front doors of a fancy hotel with a hotel umbrella (just in case) slung over my wrist. We shopped, but alas, didn't buy. It was so cool walking around downtown. I felt a little hip.
Around noon, we met up with the rest of the group in the lobby of the hotel, then hopped on the charter bus for the short drive to the stadium. SO MANY people were walking to the game. It was so cool to see an ocean of Seahawks fans flowing toward the stadium. We got a great parking spot and didn't have to walk far to get in. Once again, I felt kind of cool.
So, once we entered the stadium we walked around and around the ramp to get to our seats in the far upper corner of the stadium. To call it the nose bleed section would be a total understatement. We were about 5 rows off the TOP row. We were surrounded by Bears fans. It was hysterical! We had such a fun time NOT being cool (I whooped and hollered and swing my green foam thingy time after time). The Seahawks won. It was awesome!
After the game, we went back to the hotel for a time of refreshments, and then went out to dinner with a little group of agents and their spouses (or kids . . . whichever).
The next morning, a little more shopping, then on home to Dallas, Oregon! It was a great trip!
This is me with a superfan. Like I said, we were not cool. "Can my wife take her picture with you sir?":
The view from the nose bleed section:
Friday, November 16, 2007
Get to know me . . .
1. WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING? 7:17am
2. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Diamonds
3. WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA? Meet the Robinsons
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Survivor or The Office
5. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? Coffee
6. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? Diane
7. WHAT FOOD DO YOU DISLIKE? Fried Egg Sandwiches
8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CD? Jeremy Camp . . . for now. I'm a radio person.
9. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? Jeep Grand Cheroke
10. FAVORITE SANDWICH? Peppered Turkey Breast with Cranberry Sauce, Cream Cheese and Sprouts on Hazelnut bread.
11. WHAT CHARACTERISTIC DO YOU DESPISE? Do I really have to come up with one?
12. FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING? My stretchy jeans from WalMart - I know you all have them, too!
13. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? All over Europe (but mostly Austria).
14. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHROOM? Builder Beige. Okay . . . it is called "Desert Fawn" and is a little bit tan.
15. FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING? Uh. I like my Hanes underwear. Does that count?
16. WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO? Two houses down from my kids.
17. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY? Mitch asked me to marry him the day before my 21st birthday.
18. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Anything during the Olympics. Otherwise, I don't know.
19. FURTHEST PLACE YOU ARE SENDING THIS? Blogger oblivion . . .
20. WHO DO YOU LEAST EXPECT TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? No, please don't respond in my comments!
21. PERSON YOU EXPECT TO SEND IT BACK FIRST? I'll be checking your blogs ladies . . .
22. FAVORITE SAYING? "Mommy, I love you!"
23 WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? June 23rd
24. ARE YOU A MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON? Morning. I hate wasting a day by sleeping in.
25. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE: 8 - they just keep growing and growing . . .
26. PETS? fish
27. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US? I’m not pregnant!
28. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE? Teacher
29. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? Pretty good! I'm excited to get away with my hubby!
30. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? Dark Chocolate M&Ms
31. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? Yellow Roses with Red tips (Carnival Roses that my sister had in her wedding.)
32. WHAT IS A DAY ON THE CALENDAR YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? Thanksgiving
33. WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME? You figure it out.
34. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Cole whining to have me pick him up and put him on my lap.
35. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Waffles - for lunch.
36. DO YOU WISH ON STARS? No.
37. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Soothing Blue
38. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW? Rainy.
39. FAVORITE SOFT DRINK? Dr. Pepper
40. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Olive Garden
41. SIBLINGS? yes. 5 sisters, 3 brothers and one "Practically A Sister" who should really just be adopted and make things MUCH less complicated.
42. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR? I don't know. Summer days?
43. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD? GI Joes, my brother's little cars and my Baby Apricot (who smelled like Apricots!). I don't remember being much of a toy person. I preferred playing with my friends and family.
44. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
45. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs
46. COFFEE OR TEA? Coffee
47. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? Vanilla
48. DO YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO E-MAIL YOU BACK? No.
49. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? In frustration last night while putting Cole to bed praying that his diarrhea would go away. (Is that too much information?)
50. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED? An empty shotgun case, a duffle bag and an under-the-bed organizer that holds nighties that I got for my wedding and can't bear to throw out, even though I don't wear them.
51. WHO IS THE FRIEND YOU HAVE HAD THE LONGEST? My sister Jennifer!
52. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT? Ate dinner, relaxed while Mitch gave the boys a bath and put them to bed, wrapped presents, folded clothes, watched Survivor and The Office, read a book, fell asleep.
53. FAVORITE SMELL? My boys fresh out of the bath.
54. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? Dying before my boys are grown.
55. SALTY OR SWEET? both
56. HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR RING? about 5
57. HOW MANY YEARS AT YOUR CURRENT JOB? 4 1/2
58. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK? Saturday
59. HOW MANY TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN? I don't know. A lot. Don't make me count.
60. DO YOU MAKE FRIENDS EASILY? yes
2. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Diamonds
3. WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA? Meet the Robinsons
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Survivor or The Office
5. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? Coffee
6. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? Diane
7. WHAT FOOD DO YOU DISLIKE? Fried Egg Sandwiches
8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CD? Jeremy Camp . . . for now. I'm a radio person.
9. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? Jeep Grand Cheroke
10. FAVORITE SANDWICH? Peppered Turkey Breast with Cranberry Sauce, Cream Cheese and Sprouts on Hazelnut bread.
11. WHAT CHARACTERISTIC DO YOU DESPISE? Do I really have to come up with one?
12. FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING? My stretchy jeans from WalMart - I know you all have them, too!
13. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? All over Europe (but mostly Austria).
14. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHROOM? Builder Beige. Okay . . . it is called "Desert Fawn" and is a little bit tan.
15. FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING? Uh. I like my Hanes underwear. Does that count?
16. WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO? Two houses down from my kids.
17. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY? Mitch asked me to marry him the day before my 21st birthday.
18. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Anything during the Olympics. Otherwise, I don't know.
19. FURTHEST PLACE YOU ARE SENDING THIS? Blogger oblivion . . .
20. WHO DO YOU LEAST EXPECT TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? No, please don't respond in my comments!
21. PERSON YOU EXPECT TO SEND IT BACK FIRST? I'll be checking your blogs ladies . . .
22. FAVORITE SAYING? "Mommy, I love you!"
23 WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? June 23rd
24. ARE YOU A MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON? Morning. I hate wasting a day by sleeping in.
25. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE: 8 - they just keep growing and growing . . .
26. PETS? fish
27. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US? I’m not pregnant!
28. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE? Teacher
29. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? Pretty good! I'm excited to get away with my hubby!
30. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? Dark Chocolate M&Ms
31. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? Yellow Roses with Red tips (Carnival Roses that my sister had in her wedding.)
32. WHAT IS A DAY ON THE CALENDAR YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? Thanksgiving
33. WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME? You figure it out.
34. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Cole whining to have me pick him up and put him on my lap.
35. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Waffles - for lunch.
36. DO YOU WISH ON STARS? No.
37. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Soothing Blue
38. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW? Rainy.
39. FAVORITE SOFT DRINK? Dr. Pepper
40. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Olive Garden
41. SIBLINGS? yes. 5 sisters, 3 brothers and one "Practically A Sister" who should really just be adopted and make things MUCH less complicated.
42. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR? I don't know. Summer days?
43. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD? GI Joes, my brother's little cars and my Baby Apricot (who smelled like Apricots!). I don't remember being much of a toy person. I preferred playing with my friends and family.
44. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
45. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs
46. COFFEE OR TEA? Coffee
47. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? Vanilla
48. DO YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO E-MAIL YOU BACK? No.
49. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? In frustration last night while putting Cole to bed praying that his diarrhea would go away. (Is that too much information?)
50. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED? An empty shotgun case, a duffle bag and an under-the-bed organizer that holds nighties that I got for my wedding and can't bear to throw out, even though I don't wear them.
51. WHO IS THE FRIEND YOU HAVE HAD THE LONGEST? My sister Jennifer!
52. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT? Ate dinner, relaxed while Mitch gave the boys a bath and put them to bed, wrapped presents, folded clothes, watched Survivor and The Office, read a book, fell asleep.
53. FAVORITE SMELL? My boys fresh out of the bath.
54. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? Dying before my boys are grown.
55. SALTY OR SWEET? both
56. HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR RING? about 5
57. HOW MANY YEARS AT YOUR CURRENT JOB? 4 1/2
58. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK? Saturday
59. HOW MANY TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN? I don't know. A lot. Don't make me count.
60. DO YOU MAKE FRIENDS EASILY? yes
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Our anniversary month-long celebration!
This Thanksgiving Day, we will be celebrating 10 years of wedded bliss! (No, we didn't get married on Thanksgiving, but we have celebrated our anniversary on Thanksgiving twice, now!) So, instead of the trip to Hawaii (which we should have started saving for years ago), we have some smaller, yet still significant, activities planned.
First, we were given tickets to the OSU vs. Washington Huskies game on Friday night. It was my first time at a college football game and it was SUCH a fun experience! The game was great, the company was great (we went with Matt and Alex), and Mitch and I got to pretend we were still college students on a date. After a nice dinner at Ruby Tuesdays, we drove on over to the stadium parking lot where we found our parking spot. Usually, Mitch gets tickets, but not a parking pass. He has to hoof it for about a mile (or more!)to get to the stadium. That night, we were given the world's best parking pass. Our spot was about 2 minutes away from the stadium (if that!) and we were poised to make a quick exit. Plus, it was prime tail-gating real estate. I have never seen a real tail-gate party (yes, I live a sheltered life), and I was amazed at the amount of stuff these people bring. I mean, they had tents, trailers, huge grills, port-o-pottys and everything. The beer was quite abundant, as were the number of drunken fans. It was quite the cultural experience. Our seats were awesome and we could easily see all of the action. Can you believe that people brought their kids to this game? It was a night-time game that started at 7:30 and ended after 11:00. There was a 3-year old behind us, and a man behind her was yelling and cursing the entire 4th quarter. I would have been mortified to have my child hear the words he was saying. And, people brought their newborns. Uh . . . are ya kiddin'? Those poor mothers! (Okay, off my soapbox!) Overall, it was a totally fun night and I loved being able to get away with my husband!
This Friday night, we are attending a banquet/party for a professional organization that Mitch belongs to. It is always fun! The boys are spending the night at Grandpa and Grandma's house so that the next morning we can leave for Seattle! Mitch earned a trip to a Seattle Seahawks game courtesy of State Farm. We get to visit my brother and his wife, then check into the Seattle Fairmont (which is supposed to be super nice!). That night we have an award dinner, then breakfast the next morning, time to hang out, then off to the game! After that, back to the hotel, another dinner, another night stay, then breakfast the next morning and on home. I am so excited!! I'll let you know all about it when we get back.
So, we are home on Monday, celebrate Mitch's Dad's birthday on Tuesday, then head off to California on Wednesday. Thanksgiving (and our anniversary) is on Thursday. We will be coming home on Saturday or Sunday, then we leave YET AGAIN on Thursday!
On Thursday, we are going to Skamania Lodge for Mitch's State Farm fall planning conference/holiday party. In other "districts", the agents have a fall planning conference where they attend workshops and meetings and stay overnight in a hotel. Then, they have a fuddy duddy Christmas party a couple of weeks later where the spouses attend. In Mitch's "district", the guy in charge decided to combine the two and invite the spouses to join the agents overnight at a nicer hotel with a nice dinner! Oh. This is SO cool. THIS is something I have been looking forward to since last year. Again, I'll dish out the details after we get back!
So, forget that trip to Hawaii. Who needs it? I'll take a couple of free trips over Hawaii any day! (Of course, a free trip TO Hawaii would be wonderful, too!)
First, we were given tickets to the OSU vs. Washington Huskies game on Friday night. It was my first time at a college football game and it was SUCH a fun experience! The game was great, the company was great (we went with Matt and Alex), and Mitch and I got to pretend we were still college students on a date. After a nice dinner at Ruby Tuesdays, we drove on over to the stadium parking lot where we found our parking spot. Usually, Mitch gets tickets, but not a parking pass. He has to hoof it for about a mile (or more!)to get to the stadium. That night, we were given the world's best parking pass. Our spot was about 2 minutes away from the stadium (if that!) and we were poised to make a quick exit. Plus, it was prime tail-gating real estate. I have never seen a real tail-gate party (yes, I live a sheltered life), and I was amazed at the amount of stuff these people bring. I mean, they had tents, trailers, huge grills, port-o-pottys and everything. The beer was quite abundant, as were the number of drunken fans. It was quite the cultural experience. Our seats were awesome and we could easily see all of the action. Can you believe that people brought their kids to this game? It was a night-time game that started at 7:30 and ended after 11:00. There was a 3-year old behind us, and a man behind her was yelling and cursing the entire 4th quarter. I would have been mortified to have my child hear the words he was saying. And, people brought their newborns. Uh . . . are ya kiddin'? Those poor mothers! (Okay, off my soapbox!) Overall, it was a totally fun night and I loved being able to get away with my husband!
This Friday night, we are attending a banquet/party for a professional organization that Mitch belongs to. It is always fun! The boys are spending the night at Grandpa and Grandma's house so that the next morning we can leave for Seattle! Mitch earned a trip to a Seattle Seahawks game courtesy of State Farm. We get to visit my brother and his wife, then check into the Seattle Fairmont (which is supposed to be super nice!). That night we have an award dinner, then breakfast the next morning, time to hang out, then off to the game! After that, back to the hotel, another dinner, another night stay, then breakfast the next morning and on home. I am so excited!! I'll let you know all about it when we get back.
So, we are home on Monday, celebrate Mitch's Dad's birthday on Tuesday, then head off to California on Wednesday. Thanksgiving (and our anniversary) is on Thursday. We will be coming home on Saturday or Sunday, then we leave YET AGAIN on Thursday!
On Thursday, we are going to Skamania Lodge for Mitch's State Farm fall planning conference/holiday party. In other "districts", the agents have a fall planning conference where they attend workshops and meetings and stay overnight in a hotel. Then, they have a fuddy duddy Christmas party a couple of weeks later where the spouses attend. In Mitch's "district", the guy in charge decided to combine the two and invite the spouses to join the agents overnight at a nicer hotel with a nice dinner! Oh. This is SO cool. THIS is something I have been looking forward to since last year. Again, I'll dish out the details after we get back!
So, forget that trip to Hawaii. Who needs it? I'll take a couple of free trips over Hawaii any day! (Of course, a free trip TO Hawaii would be wonderful, too!)
Want to see something cute?
You better believe I am going to scrapbook this! :o) Look at those cute little toes!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Answers to all of your questions!
So, A LOT of people have been asking me about how in the world to do digital scrapbooking. I am NOT an expert, but here is some basic information to help you get started. I posted this earlier under my comments, but since most people probably don't read those, I thought I would put it here and add a little to it:
You should get Photoshop Elements to do digital scrapbooking. You can download a free 30 day trial here:Photoshop Elements
If you have a mac (like I do), I'm pretty sure you can get a free trial, but I can't remember where the link is (and can't find it online).
I have been burning my layouts onto CD and taking them to Walt's Print and Copy in Monmouth to be printed in 12x12 format. They actually end up being 11.5 x 11.5 since the printer needs a margin. I don't really mind, though. I just keep them 12x12, but they have a nice, white border around them (or I cut them out and mount on cardstock). It costs me $1.45 per 12x18 sheet, so the next time I do it I am going to put some photos on there so I get more bang for my buck.(I have done that since I first wrote this! Awesome idea and the pics turn out great!) I decided that it costs too much in ink for me to shrink to 8x8 and print at home. Besides, I like having my layouts in my big album! You can get them printed at Costco for about $2.99 (I think) per 12x18 sheet. This is for heavier paper, and they are true 12x12. I don't have a Costco membership, so I just stick with Walts, for now. You can also get them printed online, but they seem to be a little pricey.
For the paper, you don't scan your own. You can buy digital kits or download free digital kits (paper, embellishments, word art, brushes-which are like stamps, etc.). So far, I have just used the free stuff. I plan on buying my first digital kit soon because I want more boyish stuff. ( I have since purchased 2 digital kits! Both were from Shabby Princess.) Seems that most free kits are girly!
Here are some links to some of my favorite places for free downloads:
Two Peas in a Bucket(Go to the bottom of the screen and you will find free downloads.)
Digital Freebies
Digital Scrapbooking Freebies
Little Dreamer Designs
Designer Digitals (Get on their email list!! Check out their challenges. They are LOADED with freebies. This is probably my favorite site.)
Shabby Princess
(I bought Smarshmallows and Cuddle Bug. So cute!!)
Peppermint Creative
(Freebie search engines!!)
Digi Free
Ikea Goddess
The Up and Running with Photoshop Elements class by Jessica Sprague has REALLY helped me and I can't even believe how much I have learned. I feel pretty good about Photoshop I am having a great time!
If you do get the free trial for PSE, you can start playing by going to Jessica Sprague's website OR check out her Photoshop Friday tutorials on her blog.
They are usually videos, so that is EXTREMELY helpful since you can pause and go back. She also has free downloads at the bottom of her PSF blog page.
Hope that helps! Glad my stuff is inspiring you to look into this!
You should get Photoshop Elements to do digital scrapbooking. You can download a free 30 day trial here:Photoshop Elements
If you have a mac (like I do), I'm pretty sure you can get a free trial, but I can't remember where the link is (and can't find it online).
I have been burning my layouts onto CD and taking them to Walt's Print and Copy in Monmouth to be printed in 12x12 format. They actually end up being 11.5 x 11.5 since the printer needs a margin. I don't really mind, though. I just keep them 12x12, but they have a nice, white border around them (or I cut them out and mount on cardstock). It costs me $1.45 per 12x18 sheet, so the next time I do it I am going to put some photos on there so I get more bang for my buck.(I have done that since I first wrote this! Awesome idea and the pics turn out great!) I decided that it costs too much in ink for me to shrink to 8x8 and print at home. Besides, I like having my layouts in my big album! You can get them printed at Costco for about $2.99 (I think) per 12x18 sheet. This is for heavier paper, and they are true 12x12. I don't have a Costco membership, so I just stick with Walts, for now. You can also get them printed online, but they seem to be a little pricey.
For the paper, you don't scan your own. You can buy digital kits or download free digital kits (paper, embellishments, word art, brushes-which are like stamps, etc.). So far, I have just used the free stuff. I plan on buying my first digital kit soon because I want more boyish stuff. ( I have since purchased 2 digital kits! Both were from Shabby Princess.) Seems that most free kits are girly!
Here are some links to some of my favorite places for free downloads:
Two Peas in a Bucket(Go to the bottom of the screen and you will find free downloads.)
Digital Freebies
Digital Scrapbooking Freebies
Little Dreamer Designs
Designer Digitals (Get on their email list!! Check out their challenges. They are LOADED with freebies. This is probably my favorite site.)
Shabby Princess
(I bought Smarshmallows and Cuddle Bug. So cute!!)
Peppermint Creative
(Freebie search engines!!)
Digi Free
Ikea Goddess
The Up and Running with Photoshop Elements class by Jessica Sprague has REALLY helped me and I can't even believe how much I have learned. I feel pretty good about Photoshop I am having a great time!
If you do get the free trial for PSE, you can start playing by going to Jessica Sprague's website OR check out her Photoshop Friday tutorials on her blog.
They are usually videos, so that is EXTREMELY helpful since you can pause and go back. She also has free downloads at the bottom of her PSF blog page.
Hope that helps! Glad my stuff is inspiring you to look into this!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
What is hybrid?
When you combine computer and traditional scrapbooking.
This is what I have been doing to my digital layouts (click to enlarge):
I added real buttons and brads, mounted it on cardstock and distressed the edges with ink.
I mounted it on cardstock and added the paper flowers, buttons and edge anchors (the white things at either end of the "ribbon").
I mounted it on cardstock and added ribbon, brads and jewels.
This is what I have been doing to my digital layouts (click to enlarge):
I added real buttons and brads, mounted it on cardstock and distressed the edges with ink.
I mounted it on cardstock and added the paper flowers, buttons and edge anchors (the white things at either end of the "ribbon").
I mounted it on cardstock and added ribbon, brads and jewels.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Wow, it's been a while . . .
. . . since you have received any real news.
Hmm . . . well, my parents and niece were visiting for the last couple of days. They were here for about a day and a half taking care of personal business, and they left this afternoon. I'll see them again at Thanksgiving. That was pretty cool! We went to Grandpa and Grandma's house last night after eating at Abby's and hung out with Dani and Adam. I learned some things about myself on this visit:
I am a mother of boys. I shave hair, I don't fix it. Poor Livi had the craziest hair the day I watched her. Once Grandma got to it (and added lots of conditioner), she looked lovely.
I have two children. I don't need more. Two boys and two girls (Livi and Katie) is too much. They loved playing together, but MAN was it loud!!
That's all I have. I'm going to go watch Survivor now.
Hmm . . . well, my parents and niece were visiting for the last couple of days. They were here for about a day and a half taking care of personal business, and they left this afternoon. I'll see them again at Thanksgiving. That was pretty cool! We went to Grandpa and Grandma's house last night after eating at Abby's and hung out with Dani and Adam. I learned some things about myself on this visit:
I am a mother of boys. I shave hair, I don't fix it. Poor Livi had the craziest hair the day I watched her. Once Grandma got to it (and added lots of conditioner), she looked lovely.
I have two children. I don't need more. Two boys and two girls (Livi and Katie) is too much. They loved playing together, but MAN was it loud!!
That's all I have. I'm going to go watch Survivor now.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
What did she do today?
Oh, I just wasted an ENTIRE nap time working on this digital layout while a mountain of clean clothes is piled on my bed waiting to be folded. I did, however, start the dishwasher AND keep the laundry going WHILE working on this layout. Oh, there was a little bit of child supervision going on as well (of course, there WERE sleeping!).
As always, click to enlarge!
As always, click to enlarge!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Mitch says . . .
That a blog is a place to tell our story. It is not a place to just show off my digital layouts.
Blah, blah, blah . . .
I'll get back to real life when this class is over. In the meantime, here is today's layout:
Blah, blah, blah . . .
I'll get back to real life when this class is over. In the meantime, here is today's layout:
Monday, November 5, 2007
Week 4 layout
This is the last week of Jessica Sprague's digital scrapbooking class. So sad. I have discovered that I REALLY like doing this! I will definitely sign up for her next class!
Here is my layout for the day!
Here is my layout for the day!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
More digital layouts!
I'm having so much fun with this digital scrapbooking class! The funny thing is that it is also making me appreciate paper scrapbooking a lot, too. In fact, I worked on a 2-page layout of my birthday pics last weekend and just LOVED getting my fingers all inked up again. I am definitely not giving up paper scrapbooking! I'll post when I add my pictures!
In the meantime, these are a couple of digital assignments I have been working on!
This one is a spin on the previous assignment. We were supposed to use our own supplies to recreate the layout from week 3 (the swim lessons one). This is my spin! I even learned how to put patterned paper behind a digital brush! (That would be the big swirly thing.) I'm feeling like a genius now!
This second layout is using a layered template. This is definitely the way to go! So easy to just pick paper and pictures and put it all together. I added a bunch of embellishments which made a project that originally took me 10 minutes (without embellishments) last about an hour. Still, not bad!
Oh, and by the way, I HAVE printed out my layouts in 12x12 format and they are now in my album. Pretty cool!
In the meantime, these are a couple of digital assignments I have been working on!
This one is a spin on the previous assignment. We were supposed to use our own supplies to recreate the layout from week 3 (the swim lessons one). This is my spin! I even learned how to put patterned paper behind a digital brush! (That would be the big swirly thing.) I'm feeling like a genius now!
This second layout is using a layered template. This is definitely the way to go! So easy to just pick paper and pictures and put it all together. I added a bunch of embellishments which made a project that originally took me 10 minutes (without embellishments) last about an hour. Still, not bad!
Oh, and by the way, I HAVE printed out my layouts in 12x12 format and they are now in my album. Pretty cool!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Nine Months Old
Obviously, Cole is older than 9 months, but I am SO behind on my scrapbooking. I will most likely print this one out in 12x12 and stick it in my big album. I like how it turned out!
Today and Always layout
I actually did this layout a while back and just finished it up today. Probably my first one.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Newest creation
I know this layout needs more. Journaling or another embellishment. I don't know. I was thinking a ribbon slide on the ribbon at the bottom right. Still looking for free downloads, though. In the meantime, I thought I would show you what I am working on!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
More digital layouts!
I'm having a blast figuring this digital scrapbooking stuff out. I LOVE paper scrapbooking, so I plan to combine the two when possible. I worked on these 2 pages today (pretty quickly, too!) and plan to complete them soon. I will print them out in 8x8 format so I can use my own regular printer, then I will add a chipboard title, real brads, buttons, ribbons, etc. and journaling printed on vellum. I'll post the finished product when I get around to it!
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