A Night on the Town

Saturday night Nick and I went to the 20 Friends party at the Grand Theater in Wausau. My brother-in-law Tony is part of a group called 20 Friends. Every other year they put on a big black tie party the Saturday after Thanksgiving. They rent out the Grand Theater on Arts Block downtown and invite a couple hundred people to the event. They have 3 different musicians/bands, drinks and fun throughout the night.

This year was a Spy Theme. Nick designed the invites this year and made a website to go with it.  (use any password). He went all out and wore a cool spy watch complete with video capabilities and a holster w/a gun.

Don't we clean up well? A huge thanks goes out to our friend Jess for taking all three girls overnight. Talk about being an awesome friend. They had a blast and so did we!  We danced, we laughed, we drank, we enjoyed a night with just the two of us!

 Self portrait :)

Eleanor Margaret at 10 months

How is it possible that we'll be celebrating her 1st birthday in 2 short months?

I know that it is normal for parents to gush over their children. I am no exception. But when it comes to Ellie I am just smitten! Her little personality is really starting to emerge and it simultaneously makes my heart swell and my belly ache from laughter.

• She crawls super fast.
• Is pulling herself up on furniture and attempting to cruise. Will we have a walker by Christmas?
• Is pretty much eating what we eat. She LOVES to eat- All.Day.Long. Spaghetti, meat and bananas are her favorites right now.
• She is a great sleeper. Usually goes down without a peep at 7 p.m. and sleeps until 7 a.m.
• Naps twice a day.
• Size 4 diapers.
• Size 18 months or 2T clothes.
• At her 9 month appointment her stats were 22 lbs. 3 oz. and 30" tall. I think she's going to be tall like her Mom. She's close to 24 lbs. now.
• Ellie thinks Bennet hung the moon. B can get her to laugh better than anyone else. 
• Has 4 teeth. 2 on the top. 2 on the bottom. 
• Is getting over another cold. Ear infection again.

Holly Jolly Christmas- ScrapFreak Dec. Kit

ScrapFreak's December Kit- Holly Jolly Christmas

I did two holiday themed layouts and one non-Christmas layout this month. I just loved the sheet of tiny alphas.

TITLE: Archive at 35

Design Notes: This is my favorite layout of the month. I had so much fun listing things about me from my past year. I used a bunch of the tiny alphas along with some Cosmo Cricket word stickers.

TITLE: Your Holiday Joy Shows

Journaling: This year you were old enough to get truly excited about Christmas. We loved singing carols, baking cookies & talking about the "nice or naughty" list. You were on the nice list for sure. 12/09

Design Notes: I cut up the die cut cards and added some patterned paper on the top. I layered the chipboard alphabet on light brown paper to provide some contrast/

TITLE: Labor of LoveJournaling: Nick spent hours toiling away in the garage making the girls rocking horse. Usually layered up to brave the cold, Christmas songs on the radio. Picking out the right wood and screws. Deciding on some special touches like the gold painted rope & embellishments. Everytime I'd go check on his progress I'd tear up a little bit. Such a wonderful gift from a father to his daughters. I can't wait to see their faces on Christmas morning. It's something they will always cherish. 12/09

Design Notes: I found the patterned part of the die cut paper to be distracting for this particular layout so I cut the center out and used the edge.

Let Me Eat Cake

I think birthday layouts are my least favorite theme to work with. Poor Scout doesn't have any layouts for her 2nd birthday. But I did get one done for her 3rd birthday.
TITLE: Let Me Eat Cake
Journaling: This year you were all about the cake- you were very specific. You insisted that Dad make it. It had to be this exact shade of blue. Dad went to get special dye and edible pearls to complete your 'blue cake'

Supplies: Scenic Route pp, Making Memories pp, American Crafts pp, Cosmo Cricket pp, October Afternoon alpha, American Crafts alpha

Moments from my 34th Year

Today is my 35th birthday. Today I move into the next age demographic on all those surveys and forms. Today I am 100% happy with my age. As my Dad says, "Better a year older than dead". Today I feel blessed to have a husband who loves me, kids that adore me, family that accepts me and friends that choose to spend time with me. 

Here are some of the highlights from my 34th year. It was a busy one!

Top to bottom, Left to Right:

01. Movie Date with Bennet
02. Nick's homemade rocking horse for the girls for Christmas
03. 9 months pregnant with Ellie
04. First photo of my three girls
05. Spending lots of time in the wrap (Ellie birth-8 weeks)
06. Storytime at the library
07. Trunnell family visit Valentine's Day weekend
08. Ellie smiles
09. The Great Stomach Flu of 2010
10. Dying Eggs in Elk River
11. Easter weekend in Wausau
12. My first Mother's Day as a Mom of 3
13. MN cabin weekend with just us girls
14. First Fat Tire post Ellie
15. Memorial Day weekend at the cabin
16. WooHoo Wednesday picnic at Grandma Barb's
17. Homemade Zombie doll for Nick for Father's Day
18. Backyard camping with the big girls
19. 4th of July weekend in Wahkon, MN
20. Woodchucks Game
21. Date night to celebrate Jess's birthday
22. Madison weekend for Brett & Caitlin's wedding
23. Scrapbook weekend at Tall Oaks Retreat with ScrapFreaks (plus monthly crops with the girls!)
24. Family walk to the Farmers Market and breakfast at The Mint
25. Jason Yarrington Memorial Weekend in Eau Claire
26. Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay
27. After a decade as a redhead I go to my natural brown
28. After a year being unemployed I start my new job at the YWCA Wausau
29. Beef-A-Rama in Minocqua with the Mann's
30. Looking at the fall colors on Rib Mountain
31. Me & Ellie in the leaves
32. Sewing Bennet's Halloween costume
33. Chaperoning Bennet's Field Trip to School Forest
34. Surviving the day-to-day of raising 3 wonderful girls!

Fun Friday Facts

1. Did you see that Ryan Reynolds was named People's Sexiest Man Alive? Oh- he totally does it for me.
2. Taught a little paper bag scrapbooking class at a middle school this week for the YWCA GIRLS Club. I'll be doing it at the two other middle schools in the area as well.
3. Loved last nights episode of 'Community'. I want to build a giant blanket fort now.
4. Trying to find matching pj's for sizes 6, 4T and 18 months is tough so I'm going to sew some pj pants myself. Adds a personal little touch.

5. Bennet's first school photos came home this week. I love that she's wearing some random novelty necklace. It's so her.  

6. Going to the Wausau Country Club for lunch with Nick today.

7. Scout makes me laugh. She was eating some fancy sundae Nick concocted the other night and said (spoon in mouth)- "mmm... now this is good"

8. I'm already preparing for the Thanksgiving dinner. Not the actual preparation but the eating.
9. My friend Brett and his new bride Caitlin are coming to visit tomorrow/night. I am looking forward to seeing him and getting to know Caitlin better!
10. Starting a new book, A Secret Kept by Tatiane de Rosnay. I really enjoyed Sarah's Key so hopefully her new novel won't disappoint. 

Play x 2

I said that I normally don't scrap the same photo/layout for each of the girls albums. If they are in a photo together I just alternate which album I put it in. BUT- I really liked this photo. It summed up what their relationship this summer.

TITLE: Play
Journaling: The other day the two of you were playing in the living room & giggling non-stop. It made me so happy hearing you enjoying each other. It won't always be the case but I will remember the day you did.

Product: JillibeanSoup, Cosmo Cricket, October Afternoon

Product: Bazill Swiss Dots, October Afternoon, Jillibean Soup, Cosmo Cricket

TITLE: Play

Journaling: Today you were sisters and friends.

Wordless Wednesday- Spaghetti Dinner = Bath Night

Perils of Potty Training

Whoever said that potty training was quick and painless never met Scout Ann Sweeney. I know it comes easy to some kids, but not our girl. It has been an uphill battle for the last 6 months or so. If there is a technique- we've tried it. We've tried bribery (Mama will get you a pony!), yelling, reverse psychology, incentive of a potty party, ignoring, treats, money, stickers- you get the point.

Scout turned 3 in early September. It was time. I'm done buying diapers for 2. About three weeks ago Nick and I decided the kid gloves were coming off- it was time for a little tough love. EVERY night after dinner she goes #2. Like clockwork.

5:25 p.m.- it begins. She strips down and sits on toilet BAWLING
(Bennet and Ellie are in the tub at this point. So all 5 of us in our tiny bathroom. Family bonding)


5:35 p.m- still BAWLING 5:45 p.m. - Bennet and Ellie out of the tub and downstairs. Away from the tears. Scout is still wimpering at this point.
6:00 p.m.- I take over for Nick. Scout and I look at pictures of kids using the potty on the iTouch.
6:30 p.m.- Scout wants me to have 'crazy hair' with funny ponytails. Everytime she toots I add a ponytail. Whatever works!
6:50 p.m.- It FINALLY happens and I actually hold back tears of joy. I didn't have to fake my excitement. She had a grin from ear-to-ear. "I did it Mommy! I did it!" I told her how proud I was of her. She said, "Me too! I'm proud too" After a quick wipe she proceeded to streak down the hall and downstairs to tell Nick, Bennet & Ellie.
6:55 p.m.- I hand her a PullUp and she says "No!" Runs into the nursery, grabs the rocking chair, moves it over to the dresser, climbs up and pulls out her Dora underwear. She's earned it!
7:00 p.m.- Celebratory ice cream with Magic Shell.
7:05 p.m.- A call to Grandma Mary Ella to share the milestone.

An hour and a half. 90 minutes of tears and negotiations it happened. Since then it had been hit or miss until last week. On Tuesday she asked to wear 'unnies' to preschool. Ok- here we go. She stayed dry all day-even through naptime-and hasn't looked back. It's a miracle!

Thank goodness!

Fun Friday Facts

1. We painted our living room last weekend/this week. We painted gray on the top and put a new shade of red under the chair rail. We added some new bookcases and an end table to complete the makeover. I didn't realize how much I disliked the old ivory color until the gray went on.

2. Really diggin' Pink's new song- 'Raise Your Glass'.

3. Is loving The Walking Dead on AMC. Nick has been into zombies for years so I am be default.

4. My sister, brother-in-law and niece are coming to visit this weekend. We haven't seen them since July so we're all very excited. Bennet even made them welcome cards last night.

5. It might snow tomorrow. I am ok with that.

6. Having a lunch date with Nick today. We are trying to make it a weekly thing.

7. I chaperoned Bennet on a field trip to School Forest yesterday. We had so much fun. I'm pretty sure Bennet loved having me there since she never let go of my hand.

It had been a long time since I rode a big yellow school bus. Nothing has changed.

8. One of her classmates had a shirt that said "To Hell with Cookies and Milk. Give me Jewelry and Cash" Really? I wouldn't even buy a shirt like that much less let her wear it to school.

9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comes out next week. I am so excited.

10. Scout has stayed dry in underwear for two full days in a row. This is a HUGE deal. Requires a separate post at some point.

Sincere Thanks

Thank you to all the Veterans, living and not, that fought the noble battles to make and to keep the peace and freedoms that I enjoy. Those freedoms that I hope my children come to truly understand and cherish as I do. It is easy to get caught up in the business of day-to-day life without taking the time to appreciate what we have. Today I'm taking a minute to reflect on all that is good and thank those people who helped ensure that.

My grandfather, Franklin 'Bud' Kline served in World War II as a SeaBee. He will be 95 this December. Each May he participates in the Memorial Day service. 2010 marked 65 consecutive years.

My Dad, Mike Trunnell served in the Army during the Vietnam War at the tender age of 22. I love this photo of him. Standing in a typical pose with a full head of hair. On the back of the photo he wrote "Me on a big ass rock". That is so classic Dad! When I showed this picture to Bennet she said, "Hey Mama- PawPaw Mike has hair here. That's cool! "
My father-in-law, Roger Sweeney, is a proud member of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1964. Here he is aboard the USS Tecumseh. I hope I'm not breaking any trade secrets or impairing National Security with this photo. :) Right now he is on vacation in California with my mother-in-law hanging out with several different Navy friends. 40 years later and still sharing stories.

I have to thank my Mom as well. Each year she helps organize a phenomenal Veterans Day program at Twin Lakes Elementary School where she is a Special Ed Teacher. They really include the community as well as students and families. They have a flag raising ceremony followed by a program that introduces veteran guests, and families from their school who have a loved one actively serving. Thanks Mom for volunteering your time to put together such an important program!

Thanks to all vetrans!

I See You

On our last WooHoo Wednesday of 2010 (TyeDye in Sept) my friend Jess captured this photo of Ellie playing peek-a-boo with a tshirt on her head. Around that time Ellie started sticking her tongue out like this. I'm so happy that Jess caught the moment.

TITLE: I see YouJournaling: You steal my heart. Through a simple game of peek-a-boo . . . Product: October Afternoon pp, My Mind's Eye pp, Jillibean Soup pp, American Crafts alpha and trim.

What I Would Tell Her (If I knew what to say)

Last Friday Nick and I went to our first Parent Teacher Conference with Bennet's 4K teacher. I'm sure by the time Ellie graduates high school we'll be old pros, but since it was the first time I was nervous.

I don't what I was afraid of. I guess I was prepared to hear about all the things we needed to work on. I think I was afraid that she had inherited all of our less desirable qualities. Would she talk too much or interrupt?(I tend to interrupt). Would she forget her classmates names? (Nick's not so hot with names). Was she kissing ALL the boys or only Liam? Was she that kid?

It never occurred to me that she may have also inherited some of our most desirable qualities. That perhaps she was listening to what we've been teaching her. That she could be the girl we know and love at school as well as at home.


Her teacher told us that she was a wonderful, thoughtful and caring little girl. That Bennet looks out for classmates and makes sure they are doing ok. She said it was clear that Bennet was happy and loved school.

At this point that feedback means more to me than whether she can write her name (which she can) or can read a book unassisted (which she can't). There are so many moments of doubt when you're a parent. Am I doing it right? Am I doing enough? It makes me feel good to know that Nick and I are doing ok- maybe even great.

It reminded me of this video I saw at the beginning of the year. Katherine Center said it better than I could. I took the words from the video and used it for the journaling on my layout.

What I Would Tell Her (if I knew what to say) by Katherine Center

The Holiday's are Coming- Paper Loop Wreath

You can run but you can't hide. The holidays ARE coming. ScrapFreak is currently hosting a FREE class titled, 12 Days of Christmas. We have 12 days of fun scrappy projects to help you decorate your house and get in the holiday mood.

Here is a project I made for Day 1. I've made this wreath in the past as gifts but I never made one for myself. Since my kitchen is a newly painted muted yellow, I thought it was time I made one for our home.

Don't be intimidated by this project. It takes around 1 hour to make from start to finish. With a wreath from the Dollar Tree is costs less than $10 to make!

I made step-by-step instructions complete with pdf download that are available at ScrapFreak. Check it out!

Right Here Right Now

It's the first Friday of the month which means a new Freaky Friday Challenge at ScrapFreak.

Ferris Bueller said it best, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it" My StoryTelling challenge to you this month is to document something happening Right Here, Right Now. Focus on something that you (or someone you love) is really into right now (drink, color, television show).

Journaling

Technique: Sometimes finding the perfect place to journal can be tricky. This month try journaling in a shape. Write around the edge of the page or around an element.

TITLE: Top Top Bottom Bottom

Journaling: You love babies. Your baby dolls & your sister Ellie too. At daycare Amy taught you how to burp a baby. Gently tap her back and say 'top top bottom bottom top top bottom bottom' with a little song. If I do it wrong you are quick to correct me. Always the helpful big sister. 06/10

I have to laugh because Scout did this little thing for a couple weeks and now she hasn't done it in months. I'm glad I remembered to document it.



TITLE: Just Hit Pause (inspired by Bennet when she grabs the remote to pause a show)
Journaling:Chooses egg sandwiches for lunch everyday * Loves checking the weather on the ipod touch in the morning. “Mom- it’s moonlight out today. Wait- there is another place to double check”* Is enjoying puting on her apron for nightly “cooking lessons” with Dad* Loves playing outside & riding her big girl bike* Is developing a wee bit of a sassy, ungrateful attitude that I hope is short lived *Loves to draw her ‘fam-a-lee’*Is embracing school & wanting to read even more books*Will often get up in the morning before I do. I find her wrapped up in a blanket on the couch*Can recognize songs within one or two notes*Thinks SuperHeroes are awesome*Makes me smile when she says, “You’re the best mom ever!”* Calls the store Old Navy - Old Gravy* Helps take the garbage to the curb every week without being asked.*Loves helping clean Stoli & Jones litter boxes* Her favorite tv show is Phineas & Ferb*Prefers wearing skirts to jeans* Wants to talk on the phone to everyone who calls*Is starting to say things like, “When I’m a 5 year old. . . ”*Loads the dishwasher*Enjoys picking out Ellie’s veggie or fruit from the pantry at mealtime* Is still talk talk talk & full of questions*Loves ‘Kids Place Live’ on the satellite radio* Sincerely tells me that I’m a ‘hot hot Mama’* Sept 2010

Fun Friday Facts (and a photo)

1. I'm resigned to the fact that one of us will be sick at all times through the winter. Scout was home Wednesday, Nick's been feeling blah most of the week and Bennet had it last night.

2. Tuesday night Scout was in bed at 6, Ellie 6:30, Bennet 7:30. Nick & I were asleep by 8:45 p.m. Rest and recovery!

3. I'm having a hard time seeing how fast Ellie is growing up. But I love watching her personality develop.

4. Bennet has been a huge helper around the house this week when we've been dealing with sickies.
5. I'm looking forward to hanging with friends and making new ones at a crop tomorrow.

6. I have a little crush on Joel McHale. Loved him on The Soup and now on Community. Very funny show.
7. Reading "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro. So far so good.

8. Nick is going to be a chef with his friend Matt Barnes at the YWCA Wausau's Men Who Cook event in January. He's going to do great!

9. I love Starbucks Peppermint Mochas. Haven't had one yet this year. At 400 calories and 49 g of sugar in a Grande I'm not sure how many I'll be drinking this season.

10. Potty training isn't for the weak at heart. That's all I'm sayin'

New Month = New Sketch

It's a new month which means a new sketch at ScrapFreak. This month the sketch was created by past Team Freak Design Team member Shannon Bogan Come join the fun!
Here is my take on it.

TITLE: Such a Goof
Journaling: You are so irresistible. Your smile, those kissable cheeks. Oh how you make me laugh. You know how to work the room. Our fun, fun Ellie. 09/10 Product: October Afternoon, American Crafts, Making Memories, KI Memories, Cosmo Cricket