Cabin Weekend with the Fethke's

We spent last weekend at the cabin with our friends from Iowa, Nate and Amy Fethke and their daughter Brooke. Brooke was born 5 days after Scout so needless to say they had fun playing together. I hadn't seen Amy since Bennet's 1st birthday party so it had been too long!

The weather on Friday was the only nice weather we were going to get. Luckily we were able to sneak in a pontoon ride before dark. Saturday and Sunday we rainy and cold. We're talking in the 50's. We kept ourselves busy with craft projects, cookie baking and movies.

Amy braved a bead craft with the girls while I played Betty Crocker
The girls on the lookout for the deer.
Scout and me down by the lake. It was really windy!
All three goofballs in the hammock.
The Fethke family on a nature walk.

Friday Fill Ins

1. She had a great affinity for movie trivia.
2. My family is by my side, always.
3. I know this: I have a bit of a temper but I am fiercely loyal.
4. My two girls are never still.
5. These words apply to me: crafty, extroverted, sentimental.
6. On a perfect day the sky was blue, there was a gentle breeze and the sun was shining.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to arriving at the cabin with the girls to meet Nick, Nate, Amy & Brooke, tomorrow my plans include spending time on the lake and Sunday, I want to do more of the same. Long weekend at the cabin!!

WooHoo Wednesday (June 24, 2009)

Yesterday was stinkin' hot and a little overcast so once I picked the girls up from daycare we made a trip to the grocery store. I avoid grocery shopping like the plague. Not sure why I dread it so much but I always put it off.

Usually Scout is in the cart and Bennet walks along side me. She is always walking in front of the cart and narrowly escaping an ankle smash. Or she wants to hang off the front. This trip she decided to try one of the 'Customer in Training' carts. Ok I thought- this will be interesting.

She did GREAT. I was so proud of her. I was convinced she was going to hit someone or whack my ankles, but she was such a little professional. Always looking before turning down an aisle. Never putting anything we didn't need in the cart.
In fact, she only wanted certain things in her cart. Apples, cereal, koolaid, bread, and hot dogs. Oh- I almost forgot the Kid Cuisines. When I'm out of town overnight it's a special treat to have Kid Cuisines. She now asks for them by name.

I love her little tongue sticking out here.

And what post would be complete without Scout? Look at this pucker face!

Summer Splash Pad!!

Summer has finally arrived! Last weekend it was a really hot and sunny. Saturday morning began by 7:30 a.m. like every other Saturday. We spent the morning deep cleaning the house. Nick worked on cleaning and organizing the garage. Bennet even helped with the sweeping :) Scout just stayed out of the way which worked for me.



As a reward for their patience we went to Marathon Park and the Splash Pad after lunch. 50cents a person- can't beat that! And it's fenced in! B was bursting at the seams!!! "Suit Mom!! Flip flops!! Let's go!!"



Here she is doing a Water Angel.

Scout wasn't quite sure what to make of it at first. She liked to stomp and splash but didn't like getting water in her face. Isn't her bikini a-dorable? We got that from our awesome neighbors. Thanks Todd & Charity!!
They needed to hug it out at one point. And of course it turned out just like it does at home.

Down they topple

I love this photo. I like to think she's saying "Oh cabana boy. My mom needs a refreshment please"

Bennet is even more fearless this year. Last year she avoided the buckets at all costs. This year she went there first, stood underneath and waited for the big splash. She was very proud of herself!

This was Scout's sign that she was ready to head home for a nap. She just curled right up onto the towel. I tell you- sometimes she just makes me heart go weak.

Happy Belated Father's Day!!

Happy belated Father's Day!!

Nick spent part of the day on the golf course with his Dad, 2 of his 3 brothers and nephew. We made him a nice simple breakfast to get him prepped for a day of swings and putts. Bennet and Scout made him an AWESOME wooden kleenex holder. Bennet picked it out at the craft store, "Mom- Dad really likes kleenexes" He surely does. According to B he also likes pink since that's the color is got painted. We added some bling too- stickers, pirate badge, guitar and anchor. All his favorites. He also got a nice new fishing watch so it wasn't a total bust.

We had the chance to talk to my Dad on Skype in the evening. The best invention ever.

I just love this photo of him.

JOURNALING: This is such a classic image of my dad. His hat on- ready to go outside to work on one of his projects or into town for coffee with his cronies. Always up to something.

Happy Father's Day Dad, Nick & Sweeney Dad!!

Paper Popsicles

I don't like the Friday Fill In's this week so I'm going to skip it instead of forcing out lame answers. So I'll post some layouts instead. I am lucky enough to be serving as a Guest Designer over at Paper Popsicles this month.

Time Well Spent
Photos of Scout at the cabin Memorial Day Weekend. The little bling rhinestones don't show up very well on scans.


The Little things in life are the Big Things
Nick snapped this photo of Scout and me on Easter Sunday. I love those stolen moment shots. Thank you Nick!

A Life Defining Year
This photo was taken in Japan nearly 15 years ago. I can't believe it's been that long.

JOURNALING: 1994- fresh out of high school I spent a life changing year in Nagano, Japan. I think back 15 years later & I am so proud of myself. Proud for traveling 6000 miles from home without knowing the language. For believing in myself enough to embrace every opportunity & try every crazy food. It took alot of courage & I am so glad that I had that courage because it made me the outgoing, try anything, adventurous adult I am today. I realize that I can be more & do more than I give myself credit for. If I can survive that I am strong enough for whatever life throws at me. IN MY BUNDAI SCHOOL UNIFORM. KYUSHU ISLAND. OCTOBER 1994

Woo Hoo Wednesday (June 17)

We had a pretty mellow Woo Hoo Wednesday yesterday. We went to Michael's to pick out a craft to make Nick for Father's Day. I did give him a hint that it's pink. Bennet told me that pink is his favorite color :)

After a quick run through the grocery store we came home and had dinner. Then we made a bee line to Dairy Queen for ice cream cones. I must be getting old because when my order of 2 kiddie cones and 1 small cone came to $3.43 I had to ask- "How much are the kiddie cones?" 89cents each. When Nick worked there they were free to both dogs and children. Oh well.

Since I can't share our Father's Day craft project yet I'll post some current things about the girls.

This girl. . . is 3 1/2 on Sunday. Closer to 4 than 3. How is that possible?

She . . .

Makes us laugh. Here are some of the conversations I've overheard lately.

Over Dinner:

Dad - "I keep banging my head on this code and can't figure it out"

Bennet - "Oh Daddy that's horrible. Horrible"

Out of the blue:

Bennet to Me- "I like you Honey"

(I cannot supress laughter. Where did Honey come from?)

Me to Bennet - "I like you too Sugar"

Repeat the phrase and giggles over and over.

She is developing a knack for voice over work. The other day she said, "Perry the Playpus. What are you doing here?" In a spot on Dr. Doofensmertz voice from Phineas & Ferb (cartoon).

She is very concerned about who bought things. "Mom- who bought those power poles with the farting boxes?" (the farting boxes is a whole other story). "Mom- who bought those cars?" "Mom- did you buy this music box for me? Oh thank you Mama"

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This girl. . . is nearly 22 months old. Right now she is the age Bennet was when she was born. Now that is crazy!

She. . .

Is a monster. A happy, climbing, growling, monster. As Nick says, Bennet is matches and Scout is gasoline.

Loves cats and dogs. She squeels with delight.

Would eat a whole wheel of cheese if we let her. She really digs cheese.

She will come and grab your hand and lead you upstairs at night when she's ready for bed.

She wants to do everything that Bennet does. Wear sandals, use the same cup, eat the same food.

She is starting to have more words. Granted they are words that only Nick and I understand but that counts :)

Home Sweet Home

A couple of weeks ago Bennet brought this project home from daycare. I thought, "Hmmm. . . aren't we a little young to be going through our goth/all black stage?" Then I read the caption on the bottom of the page and nearly peed my pants from laughter.

I guess our darling 3 1/2 yr old is subconsciously trying to tell us something :) Perhaps she is channeling her inner Ally Sheedy in 'The Breakfast Club' - "My home life is unsatisfying"

Grandma Mary Ella

I love my mom. I am lucky enough to have a very close relationship with her. It's pretty much been like that from the time I was little. Now both of my girls are building a special relationship with her too.

One of my Mom's favorite phrases while we were growing up was, "Have I told you yet today. . " She never had to say the "that I love you" part because we knew. She always tells Bennet and Scout "I love you to the Moon and back" They associate it with her. When I say it to Bennet her reply is always, "Just like Grandma Mary Lella right Mama?"


I made this simple little floating frame to hang in Bennet's room. I LOVE alphabet stickers so it was easy to find supplies in my current stash. There are little rhinestones at the top near the 'i' and by the heart on the bottom. LAYOUT: Simple Joys
I did some machine stitching around the edge. I did fussy cuts for the flowers. I cut the stems apart and did some handstitched stems as well.

JOURNALING: You & your Grandma "Mary Lella" have a special relationship. You love spending time together- reading books, playing games, and giving lots of hugs & kisses. I love seeing you the two of you loving each other.

Photo taken at Dick's Main Tap (I can't remember the new name), April 3, 2009, Elk River.

Friday Fill Ins

1. I grew up thinking that marble cake was Marvel Cake. My grandma's name is Marvel and I thought it was her cake :)
2. Bloglines was the last website I was at before coming here.
3. Why don't you take a chill pill? (I have no idea where that came from)
4. A glass of red wine and a hot bath helps me relax.
5. Thanks for the memories Elk River Area High School. I graduated 15 years ago and have fond memories!!
6. People with limp handshakes is very off-putting.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a traffic free drive north, tomorrow my plans include testing out the new pontoon and Sunday, I want to wish my sweet niece Molly a very blessed baptism!

Woo Hoo Wednesday (June 10)

It's no secret that both Bennet and Scout are energetic, on-the-go type of kids. They are rarely at rest unless they are eating a snack and mesmerized by Special Agent Oso. A couple of months ago our daycare providers husband Mark said, "Wow- I thought Bennet was active but Scout's just crazy" My response was, "Well- maybe if we have a third that one will be mellow" to which he jokingly responded, "You're crazy to want 3 with these two!"

Yesterday at the library during WooHoo Wednesday his words came ringing through my ears! I decided to take the girls to the library for some fun new books. This mama is getting tired of the regulars at home.

It was a little bit of chaos. Like letting the tigers roam free during feeding time. Scout was running up and down through the aisles, looking at books, taking them off the shelf, running some more. Then she found some poor unsuspecting baby boy in a stroller. Poor kid was hugged, loved, touched. She really likes babies. Bennet kept herself busy in the play area while I chased Scout. Of course Scout bolted for the main part of the library and while I was retrieving her Bennet lost sight of me. Scared her a little bit.

They have an old clawfoot tub covered in carpet. That was a big hit!

By the end of our little visit I had Scout on my shoulders. It was the only way I could check out our books. I don't know how the octomom does it. Of course as we're leaving Bennet tells me she has to go potty. She has impeccable timing. As we're leaving the bathroom she starts to pitch a fit because she wants to have a drink at the drinking fountain. Well- with 6 books under one arm and a squirming 21 month old under the other it wasn't happening. I tell her that I can't pick her up. I'm sure the staff were more than happy to see the loud-mouth family leave. Bennet cried and whined all the way to the car only stopping to say, "Ice cream cone please Mama"

Are you kidding me? :)

Scrapbook Madness

I figured I could share some of the layouts I made recently. Enjoy!
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Life Lesson
Journaling: We learned early in our relationship that laughing with each other & at each other was part of what made us happy together.

This photo was taken at our engagement party in 2003.



Joyful, Exciting, Fantastic Snow

Odd to make this in summertime but oh well. Photos from a snowy day in March. Used my scraps with my circle punches. It scanned really bright white oops.

In My Heart

Journaling: I love being you mom. The way you see me just makes me feel so happy. I am so proud of the little girl you are becoming. I see parts of a younger version of me in you and that is so cool. In my heart you have a special spot. A spot where our relationship grows as mother & daugther- as friends.

I'm proud of this photo. I set up the tripod and took it on self-timer

Card Challenge!!

It's a card challenge at Paper Popsicles. The deadline is tonight at midnight but give it a whirl!!

I made this card for my niece Taylor's high school gradutation.

Paper Popsicles Blog

Up

Last summer Bennet went to her first movie with the crew from daycare but she's never been with us. Nick and I were really looking forward to taking her to her first movie with us and thought that 'Up' would be perfect. We were right. It was an amazing heartfelt, happy, adventerous, happy/sad movie. Those folks at Disney/Pixar continue to amaze me with their animation skills. The detail was amazing. But even more than the animation they are just amazing story tellers. They just pull you in from the first frame and take you along up and down until the credits. I was crying in the first 15 minutes.



I haven't seen a movie in 3D since I was about 8. Even then it was just a showing of King Kong on TV and you got your glasses from the Tom Thumb in town. Not impressed. Seeing Up in 3D however was blow-your-socks off WOW! It added a whole new level of pizazz!

Bennet loved every minute of it. You should have seen her. Sitting between the two of us with her mouth open in astonishment. A big tub of popcorn wedged between her legs, glasses on, soaking it all up. During an action scene her little shoulders tensed up worried about Mr. Fredrickson and the Bad Guy.

I cannot wait to buy this on BluRay and watch it over and over. A big thanks to my wonderful mother-in-law for sitting with Scout to allow us a very special afternoon out with B!!!

Tall Oaks Retreat

Last weekend my friend Jess and I hosted 16 fabulous ladies at Tall Oaks Retreat in Arbor Vitae, WI. Our friend Casie runs the joint. There were many a ScrapFreak and WIScrapper in attendance. It was such a nice mix of people!

It was such a kickA@# weekend. A big thanks to Nick and Grandma Mary Ella for keeping the girls occupied at home so I could escape for a couple of days.

We laughed

We ate

We drank

We stood by the fire pit in the rain

We watched classic 80's movies

We scrapped

We slept very little

We giggled at things that weren't naughty as if they were

We borrowed supplies

We laughed

We ate

We drank

We oohed and aahhed over layouts

We survived 36 hours without wireless

We survived intermittent cell service

On Saturday we headed into town for some scrapbook shopping and lunch. Here is the group at The Thirsty Whale. Yes- I'm laying on a whale.
Casie, Jess and I did share a room but didn't plan to be all matchy with our black shirts. But we look pretty cute if I do say so myself.

When I'm the zone going on a few hours of sleep I turn into a ScrapNinja!!! I completed 14 layouts. That's pretty durn good!

I will cut you!
I cannot wait until our next Retreat!!

Friday Fill Ins

I missed last week because I was up north scrapbookin' but I'm back!

1. It's cold and chilly at my work. I'm still dressing in layers and using a space heater.
2. As a kid I didn't like tomatoes. I really like them now.
3. My favorite health and beauty product is bubble bath.
4. Seeing family in MN is worth a nice long ride.
5. Well, first of all I know I can't sing but that doesn't stop me.
6. Katie, Megan & Gregg; those were the cast of characters in a recent dream and it was about riding bikes as kids.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watch a non-cartoon movie with Nick, tomorrow my plans include going to our niece Taylor's graduation party and Sunday, I want to head to the nursery to buy & plant flowers (it got down to 41 one night this week)!

WooHoo Wednesday (June 3)

This week's WooHoo Wednesday involved lots of color, stickiness and artistic expression :) Finger painting!! Bennet had so much fun. She really didn't use her fingers per se, she just kind of rubbed it everywhere!

Paint all over her fingers, shirt and face. And that look?

Scout got a little too close to the suds in the clean up bucket.

The finished product.

After our craft we had supper and then went to Dairy Queen for kiddie cones. We came home and took baths. All in all a very fun Wednesday!