Like Totally Rad!

I saw this on my friend Jenney's blog and had to give it a whirl.

You Belong in 1985

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

Like gag me with a spoon ok? I can see myself in the 80's. Without a doubt!

Love Love Love

Since I posted Scout's birthday pictures my sister Katie is happy :) (I love you Katie!) So I won't feel guilty about posting some scrappy stuff.

This is a little mini-album I made for Nick for our anniversary. The color scheme matches the ones we used in our wedding.

Everything except the 'years' is a rub on I printed my favorite photos of us in black and white and put them on the inside
I also did a quick little layout. In both the mini-album and layout I used a bunch of word rubons. I never know what to do with those big multisheet rub on kits. This was so fun.

Party on Party People

Turning 1 is a big deal. You get to mark your spot on 'The Door'. As you can see from the line above her head, Scout is a good 2 inches shorter than her big sister. She has the Hessling gene :)

Nick and I took the day off of work to get ready for the party and spend the day with Scout. I took her down the road near Hawthorne Hills for a little photo shoot. We often go for walks here and I thought it would be a great place to take some photos.

These are some of my favorites. It was one of those moments you want to bottle up and remember forever. There she is in the dress her Dad bought her to bring out her eyes. A year old- almost to the minute. An idyllic blue sky with fluffy clouds, a gentle breeze, green grass with a white picket fence.



Nick calls this The Sound of Music shot :)
We had a wonderful party on Saturday. The weather turned out sunny and brisk. A gorgeous early fall day. As per tradition Nick made Scout's cake. A heart shaped cake with a strawberry filling. He even decorated it. It was tasty!!



Look at how happy she is!! Yeah cake!!
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the party. Thank you to everyone who emailed, called, left notes online, sent their love and thought of her on her special day.

Feeling Scrappy Design Team Call

I have had a fabulous 7 months as a Creative Team member at Feeling Scrappy. But- all good things come to an end. And I'm a firm believer of sharing the love. I can't wait for another scrap happy nut to get the chance to participate. So. . . throw your hat in the ring! Give it a whirl!

Here are the details: Feeling Scrappy, an exciting spot on the web that offers on-line classes for every level of scrapper, has an opening for one designer and three guest designers on our Design Team!

We are seeking creative and fun scrapbookers who have the ability to inspire and motivate others with their work. Design Team member will be for a six-month term (October 2008-March 2009) and the Guest Designers will each serve a different two-month term (October-November 2008, December-January2009 and February-March 2009).No previous design team experience is required – we encourage all styles of scrappers to apply!

Design Team Members and Guests will be expected to do the following during their term:
1.) Design 4 layouts per month (based on classes) to be used as examples.
2.) Promote Feeling Scrappy whenever possible and create a link on your blog or website if applicable.
3.) Participate daily and actively on the message board (and/or blog) working to make it a fun and inspiring place to be. This includes posting and assisting with contests, crops and challenges. 4.) Be active during classes and supportive to students.

For your commitment you will receive:Regular DT member - recognition as a Design Team Member, a scrap supply kit every other month and free regular classes during your term. Guest DT members – recognition as a Guest DT Member, a free class during your term and ½ off the next class if you choose to take advantage of it.

We will accept applications for the Design Team call from Friday, September 5, 2008 until Monday September 22, 2008. *Regular DT members limited to US addresses only please due to shipping costs. Guest DT may be located anywhere.

How to apply:Send the following to feelingscrappydesignteam@yahoo.com

1.) Your basic information: name, address, phone number, e-mail, and username at Feeling Scrappy.
2.) Five 12x12 scrapbook layouts (at least one of which should be a new layout not posted anywhere on the web) and one altered project of your choice.
3.) A link to your blog and/or image hosting site (if applicable)
4.) A short bio about yourself that includes the answers to the following questions:How long have you been scrapping?Are you active on any message board and if so which ones?Are you on any other design teams? If so, why do you want to be on more than one?Why do you want to be on a design team?How would you be able to promote Feeling Scrappy classes?How much time per day or week can you devote to Feeling Scrappy?What do you feel you could bring to the Design Team at Feeling Scrappy?Would you be willing to serve as either a regular DT member or as a guest DT member?If you would be interested in serving as a Guest DT, are there any months between October and March that would not work for you?

We encourage everyone to apply. We look forward to getting to know you and hope you will join our message board so that we can get to know a little about you as a person.

For more information visit www.feelingscrappy.com or if you have specific questions e-mail us at feelingscrappydesignteam@yahoo.com

Happy Anniversary!

From this, our first couple months of dating To our engagement party.

To our wedding dayTo a family of 3 with our daughter Bennet who was 4 days old.
To a family of 4 with Scout who turned 1 yesterday.

Five years. Our first anniversary we were celebrating surviving that first year in Wausau.

Our second anniversary found us celebrating the impending arrival of our first child, Bennet.

On our third anniversary, we were enjoying a pretty go with the flow year of firsts.

Our fourth anniversary found us in the hospital celebrating the early arrival of Scout.

Our fifth we are celebrating Scout's 1st birthday with family and friends. It truly is a Wonderful Life. Thank you Nick. You are my laughter. You make my heart happy. You are my daily reminder that good things can happen to good people. You take me as packaged and make me a better person. You are the foundation of what is good in my life. Your love makes me complete. Seeing you with our daughters makes me fall in love with you all over again. Daily. I love you.

Happy 1st Birthday Scout!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY SCOUT!!!

We can hardly believe it's been a year. This time a year ago started out like any typical Wednesday. Although with the slight contractions I was having there was NO way I was making my weekly trip to Eau Claire. I went into the office in the morning and called the nurse. She thought I should come in to get checked out. I remember telling the BrrrBabies that I'd be back soon :) We went to the hospital around noon to get checked out 'just in case' sure we'd be sent home. I just found my hospital bracelet that was printed at 2:40 p.m. and by 3:27 p.m. that afternoon Scout Ann was born, 2 1/2 weeks early.

8 months old

She is an absolute joy. She is just a happy, smiley baby.

She loves:
-to walk. She started walking a month or so ago and has been chasing Bennet ever since.
-to climb. Nick found her snuggled up in B's bed with a book the other day.
-the cats, Stoli and Jones. She lays on top of them trying to give them a hug.
-to eat. Everything and anything. Even though she has ZERO teeth! Her favorites are mandarin oranges (like her Grandma Sweeney) and spaghetti.
-her sister. Oh how she lights up when Bennet comes in the room.
-to growl. She is a little monster.
-to squint her eyes and pretend she's hiding from you.
-bathtime. My goodness the girl can splash.

Happy Labor Day!!

Ah- Labor Day. This photo is from last Labor Day. The last photo of Bennet and me. I had Scout 2 days later. Little did I know. This is a busy week of celebrating for our family.

Not only is today Labor Day, but it is our friend Travis and Karin Weiss 7th wedding anniversary. I remember that wedding like it was yesterday!

September 2nd is our niece Taylor's 17th birthday and my grandparents 69th wedding annivesary. Congratulations to Bud and Leona!!! Simply amazing.

September 4th is our nephew Duncan's 19th birthday although he'll be studying hard in Madison (cough cough) and Ma & Pa Sweeney's 43rd wedding anniversary.

September 5th Scout turns one!! (Where did the year go?)

September 6th- Our 5th wedding anniversary that we share with friends Matt & Amy Bell.