warm wishes from VA

We've spent the last week in VA, where temps have been in the 60s! The kids had a great Christmas and have been busy with their toys. I took a trip to a local scrapbook store: The Scrapbook Bungalow! It has been open only a year, and even though it is small I got some great finds!

Good news from close friends: Linda has been home from the hospital for 8 days and is doing well. Little Kenzi Hinckley is almost at 2 lbs. and is doing well, too!

Looking forward to the NEW YEAR - getting on track with my albums and the darn elliptical too. I will post some photos soon.

busy sunday

Made it through another busy week and Sunday. I had to talk in church today, that always adds stress to my week! The kids dressed in their Christmas clothes today, they love getting new clothes. Finally finished my Christmas cards today - should be in the mail this week!

Our week is not looking to bad as of right now:

Tuesday: Mutual (our Christmas party)

Wed: Room Mom meeting at Jake's School

Sat: 3 Parties! (Church, Neighbor's Holiday party and a friend of Jake's b-day party)

a holiday classic

Recently the Ellen Degeneres show was looking for "Bad Santa" pictures. I thought this one might qualify! Jacob was so afraid that during his crying he heel-kicked Santa in an unmentionable spot! But look what a good pic. that is of me (I think I was in shock)! I'm sure Jacob sent this Santa into retirement!

I'll let you know if she chooses this picture! P.S. I don't know what happened to my snow pictures below.....

snow pix cont.

first snow

Yep, woke up to a snow covered ground, but no snow day (thank goodness)! Sophie asked first thing, as she was walking down the stairs this morning, "Can I go play in the snow?" She loves the snow, Jacob didn't like it at this age, but just try and stop her from going out!

Working on Christmas cards today - coming together nicely. I have a few last minute gifts to make, too! We are heading to VA for Christmas, can't wait for mom to do the cooking! (I'll do the baking mom!)

portrait snapshots

Attempting to take a "portrait" of my kids as a Christmas gift to my mom. The photo shoot went o.k. , I think I got some good ones. However, the cat wasn't really cooperative, and Sophie just wanted to play hide-n-seek behind the backdrop, oh well....We had to bribe Jacob with a trip to Burger King!

Took my friend Teri to the hospital today to check in on little Kenzi. She is doing really well, with a little eye open! It is truly amazing to see her progress.

{re}opening day

Scraptacular! had a great grand re-opening yesterday! So many wonderful customers stopped in, it was so nice to catch up with them. And the best thing, all the wonderful compliments on the store. All of our hard work has paid off. The only down part - Linda was not there. She is still in the hospital, but is getting better every day. Crops start next Friday and classes start in January. New product continues to roll in every day and we will continue to watch the trends. Stop in to see us!

the ham, turkey and TRIALS

Thanksgiving dinner came off without a hitch and I'm glad it's over. However, two close friends are in the same hospital. My friendTeri went in on Thanksgiving day with early labor, and yesterday (fri.) she delivered at 24 weeks a 1lb. 9 oz. baby girl. Both mom and baby are fine - but the next 3 days are critical. Paid them a visit today and got some sweet pictures. She was so little but so strong, kicking and moving lots! My other friend is in the same hospital waiting news about her back from a specialist, yet another waiting game.

All of these trials have made me so grateful for my own family's health and well-being. My friends and their families are in my prayers and I feel that everything will be O.K.

Six days and counting until the scrapbook store re-opens. Things are looking great and we are hoping for a good turn-out!

thanksgiving day

We are having a beautiful and sunny Thanksgiving Day here in Northeastern Ohio, a rare thing! Turkey is in the oven and all the fixin's are ready to go in after the turkey! Bought a beverage fountain for my punch, can't wait to use it! The cheese balls are in the fridge and the jello is chillin'! Will post more pix later today!

big lots trees

Scored on these little trees from Big Lots!

holiday decorating

Almost finished my decorating, Target is sold out of the snowflake lights, so I'm waiting for those to come in, ugh! Keeping it simple this year since we are going to VA. Found the cute pink and green trees in Sophie's room at Big Lots! My star wreaths were purchased after Christmas last year from Pottery Barn.

lear north 1st grade

Jacob has a great teacher this year and as you can see from this picture, most of his class contains boys (she deserves her halo now).

The flu has struck the household, Jacob has been home from school for 2 days, hopefully Sophie won't get it, but if she does, I'm sure it will be just in time for Thanksgiving, ugh.

Done with the holiday decorating, will post pictures as soon as we have a sunny day around here!

looking good mom...

Mom sent this good picture of her with this message: "Looking old, but having a good hair day." Whatever, Mom you look great!

Been busy this week, in the midst of setting up Christmas decorations, setting up a scrapbook store and trying to stay focused on my kids. Not easy to balance the time, but I'm trying, and I don't think I've done any permanent damage to them!

Will post some decorating pix soon!

the enemy

Lasted all of 5 minutes for my first time on this bad boy. Of course that was after I cleaned my entire basement, even vacuumed it, because I could not look at that while I was exercising. So, I was tired after all that, oh and I organized all my kitchen drawers and cabinets, Murphy Oiled them and then vacuumed the floors. Then I stepped on the machine and was worn out....

My goal for today: 6 minute workout!

slacker blogger

Haven't been very diligent this week, tons going on! Starting with my husband the stranger - working non-stop on a "deal", so I'm on kid over-load. Still haven't put together the elliptical, husband has to do that and husband hasn't been home. Still haven't scrapped Halloween yet, oh well, there's time... Escaped with Lexi to Hobby Lobby yesterday where we scored on beautiful ribbon on the spool for 50% off. I did get my Christmas cards designed, just have to get the photo from Costco and I'm ready to go! It's official, Scraptacular is re-opening December 1st, can't wait for a local store again! That's all for now, I'll try to post some layouts later, here's hoping.....

no school day

Everyone is home today - hope to get a few things done!
1 - buy a turkey
2 - scrapbook halloween pix
3 - try not to loose my sanity

Had fun at a Pump it Up party on Friday, the kids wore themselves out! Tonight is mutual, and yes, Trish, purchased the dang chocolate fountain from Costco, so we will be having that as our treat tonight!

pjs & parachutes

Katrina sent our Christmas presents this week and Sophie insisted on opening one of them! Needless to say, this parachute has given her hours of entertainment.

Finally Friday ! Sophie has a birthday party, so we are shopping this morning for a gift. I have craft day tomorrow and continuing working on layouts and possible classes for the coming months! Still haven't gotten my elliptical yet, hoping Rob can test them out tomorrow!

love at home...

I've been helping Lexi with crats for Super Saturday (our ward craft day)! One is this adorable sign made from vinyl cling lettering! I just have some sanding to do around the edges and then I think I will hang it from a ribbon! We had so much fun doing this, we think we want to go into business!

darth and kitty

Turned out to be a nice evening for treating! The weather cleared out and it wasn't too cold. Sophie loved the idea of candy being given to her and that she could eat it right away. Here are some of my favorite shots from last night!

wild things....

Used new A to Z papers. Simple!

in motion

Loved this layout - yes even blurry pictures can be cute. Trying to figure out how to edit my camera's flash off the photos, anyone got any ideas? If I don't use the flash my picture is blurry - sigh.

survived the weekend

Jacob's party was a hit, all 9 boys had fun! And what was better, no clean-up for me! Had a great weekend with mom & dad in, did some shopping and some eating. Trick or Treating this week, scrapbooking party pictures and costume pix, oh and hopefully buying an elliptical to start my New Year's Resolution early this year!

party prep

Finished final prep for Jacob's b-day party! We're going bowling (again), so I don't have too much to do, easy party! Mom and Dad are on their way this morning, hoping they remembered their winter coats. We've got a busy weekend planned for them: jake's party, halloween parade, church halloween party and church potluck! Hope they are rested up!

Woke up to a thick frost this morning, but looks like the sun will be out. Headed to Lexi's for a playdate and some craft making. We are working on projects for our ward's Super Saturday craft day!

busy monday

Yet another busy week ahead! Spent the morning making Jacob's school party treats (finally found a use for the 50 million tiny glassine bags I bought from Hollo's ages ago). Think they turned out cute! Really quick and easy, too!

Sophie had story time today, her favorite. Jacob had a field trip to the library, we just missed him! Thursday Nina and Papa come for a visit and Jacob's birthday party is Friday. Still need to do the treat bags for that!

p.s. I have more bags if anyone needs some!!!

cardmaking and chocolate: a deadly combination

That's right, nursing a sensitive stomach this morning due to Trish's new purchase: the chocolate fountain (Costco, $40)! Loved that thing - and it also has a soothing humming noise that just takes all your pains and frustrations away...

We had so much fun last night. Teri did a Stampin' Up workshop for me and showed us three adorable cards. Thanks to all those that came! Can't wait to get all my new stuff in!

here's one you can keep up with

Last year I started this Halloween album - keeping it very simple. All you have to do is 1 page each year, finally something I can keep up on......

tgif

Finally it's Friday! Big happenings around here today: Jacob lost one of his top front teeth, yep, fell right out in his cinnamon roll this morning at breakfast. Now just has that last one to go before he is a true snaggle tooth!

Today was deep-clean Friday, skipped deep-clean Thursday all together! I'm having a crop and Stampin' Up workshop tomorrow night, so I thought it would stay cleaner if I cleaned today! On the menu for tomorrow night: artichoke dip, and a chocolate fountain Trish is dying to use!

Another rainy and cold day - winter is coming I just know it.......
Don't ya love little sisters that invite themselves into your room and play with your friends!

zielske & edwards inspired

Starting to really fill my 8 1/2 x 11 scrapbook! These were inspired by Cathy Zielske's simple style and Ali Edwards modern approach!

rainy wednesday

Fall has definately arrived here in Cleveland. The leaves are almost at their peak, we've had some snow flurries and lots of rain. It is rainy and cloudy this morning as I'm writing this, a good day for staying in and scrapbooking. I hope to post some of my work a little later today.

Hump day means: Laundry (doing sheets today) and 2 more days until Friday!
Saturday I will be having a crop and Stampin' Up workshop at my house, should be lots of fun!

a nice weekend

Got to scrap with Trish all day yesterday! So fun and as always Trish (& Friends) prepared amazing food and treats. I took a little run to get my hair done, time for the fall look, so I went a darker with some red and blond highlights. Nice to get out by myself for a little, I'm sure this week will end up busy too! So far I have on my plate: Monday, YW presidency meeting, Tuesday, Mutual (hayride, cider and smores)

We got snow flurries on Thurs., so not ready for that yet. But the weekend has been crisp and sunny, just beautiful. Mom and Dad are coming the last weekend of the month for Jake's b-day party, can't wait.

2 more layouts

These were really fun! Used papers from a new company Imaginisce, love them! The Spring page uses all K&Co papers. Finally found a home for my Easter photo shoot!

It's Thursday - we're almost thru this busy week! It's girls' night out tonight, we're headed to Brio (yum). Tomorrow Jake is off school, so we will head to Toys R Us for some shopping. Saturday I have a hair appointment and cropping with Trish, can hardly wait.

happy birthday, Jacob

Today my son turns 7 - I can't believe how the time has gone. He was born on a beautiful Columbus Day in Portland, Oregon (Rob was in law school there). On Friday we are going on a Toys R Us shopping spree (heaven help me), no more mom trying to pick out gifts for him! I suspect by the weekend he will be minus two baby teeth, his top front teeth, they are just dangling there!

We had so much fun at the ward FHE night. The kids did the corn maze, hayride and a treasure hunt. There were lots of ward members too, which made it even better!

new stuff

Two fun new things from my Pottery Barn outlet trip: This cute 3 cubby shelf for $35 (it was probably at least a million bucks in the PB magazine, ha), and this cute tool lazy suzan, $20, what a score! And arriving today in the mail, the new 7gypsies self-inking stamps, LOVE THEM!

Pluggin' thru the week - did get my tulips planted! Tomorrow is Jacob's b-day, so we'll do something fun for him! Looking forward to croppin' all day with Trish on Saturday, but it is only Tuesday.....