Summer Lovin'

I've been working on scrapping some photos from this past summer. I've been making a conscious effort to use up my stash as I go. Some of the product I've had for almost 2 years. It feels really good to put it to use.

The Climb

These photos are from the 4th of July in Elk River.

JOURNALING: You are such a monkey. If there is something to climb you will find it. Tables, desks & chairs, it's all about

Paint by Fingers
I used yellow paint on naked chipboard for the word 'paint' in the title. I did a little play on words too. Instead of Paint by Numbers I did Paint by Fingers.

JOURNALING: Your 10 digits could hardly wait to create. You loved the way it squished between your fingers. You had paint in your hair and a world class masterpiece. 05/09

Silly Faces

I painted white chipboard with yellow paint and added glitter to the top. It didn't transfer very well when I scanned it. Oh well.

Photos from the 4th of July.

JOURNALING: You think making funny faces is "so silly Mom" & I tend to agree with you. 07/09

Fall Fun Weekend

Last weekend was a wonderful, schedule-free weekend. I absolutely love fall. The colors, the smells, the weather.

Saturday morning we went to the Farmer's Market for Amish English Muffin bread. It really is worth the extra money.

A nice woman gave B & Scout cabbage leaves shaped into flowers. Aren't they cool?

We spent the rest of the morning raking and working on yard work. I even climbed behind some of our big shrubs and did some intense cutting and pruning. My arms sure felt it yesterday. For dinner we grilled out and ate outside on the porch. Bennet thought this was soooo cool. We made a fire in our fire pit and roasted marshmallows for smores. Our marshmallows left quite a bit to be desired. As you can see- Nick has 4 mallows that have congealed into one. They still tasted so-so :) Sunday we went to Helene's Hilltop Orchard in Merrill. We had never been there before but had heard great things. I was really impressed with their play area. The had old tractors and combines that they converted into play equipment. Both B & Scout loved feeding the goats too.

Giddy up cowgirl! Yehaw!Look at that blue sky with perfect fluffy clouds.

Of course we had to take a hayride. Bennet insisted on sitting by herself on the other side of the wagon. "I'm a big girl Mom". This pretty pheasant ran alongside the wagon with us for quite awhile. Chirping and 'talking' to us. Scout even talked back :)

You know those moments when you just feel so content that you want to stop time for just a minute to truly savor it? I had a couple of those moments yesterday at the apple orchard. Both girls running and playing with giant smiles on their faces. Being genuinely excited about the hayride. The fall sunshine glowing off their blond hair. The whole thing just made me happy inside. A simple trip to the orchard as a family turned into a memory to remember.

Mini Album & Friday Fill Ins

Nick and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary earlier this month. I made him a little mini-album. I used product from the March and Sept. Kraft Girl Kits

And now the Friday Fill Ins-

1. One week ago I was driving Nick to the airport.

2. The days seemed longer when I was young.

3. Mama told me that 'No One can make you feel inferior without your consent' Ok- Eleanor Roosevelt said it first but my Mom told me.

4. Between you and me, I've been without a cell phone for over a month and really don't miss it that much.

5. Take your time. Driving 10 miles under the speed limit doesn't bother me at all. (sarcasm)

6. The not-so-pleasant parts of pregnancy will pass!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner out with Nick, tomorrow my plans include making a scarecrow with the girls and Sunday, I want to relax!

Laramie according to Nick

Written by Nick:

As you know (or may not know) – I just got back from visiting my friend Bill in Laramie, Wyoming. It was a great trip and we had a lot of run. (As expected!)

On Friday, Bill and I went on a “short trip” up to see the Medicine Bow Mountains – The Snowy Range as they are referred to locally. The drive was really neat and we passed some awesome trout ponds/lakes - that in retrospect – we probably should have fished. (Next trip)

Once we were up there we decided to take the Mirror Lake hiking trail to the summit – the highest point in the Medicine Bow range… We started at a little over 10,000 feet and hiked up to 12,000…. Our entire journey being a little under 9 miles or so.

I would like to say it was the “drinking till 5:00 am and getting up at 8” that caused the majority of my difficulties - - But on the ascent the altitude made it pretty hard for me to catch my breath – compounded with the fact that I am seriously “under conditioned” for athletic activity. (Read: Wuss) On the way down, that “lack of conditioning” wreaked havoc on my knees. (After the last video I started to “deteriorate” quickly – so I stopped filming.) It was probably about 2 miles/hours more than I “should have” done – but it was a great/awesome/wonderful experience and I am glad Bill and I made the trip. (I should needlessly point out that Bill didn’t suffer as much – if at all - as my complaining ass did.) But we made it down in one piece… myself knowing that every painful step I took brought me closer to the delicious vodka painkiller at the bottom.

After the climb and a short stop for some beers at “The Place” (Some random bar/motor home campsite in the mts, owned by a patient of Bills – who also happens to be one hell of a nice guy) we meandered on to Saratoga Springs. That little burg is a strange place – and something I think this guy sums up nicely: http://newfunny.com/?p=672 If you are ever interested in sitting on some sand bags in a hot river, that may be your place!

Anyway – the following are some videos I made while we hiked up and down. They’ll serve as a reminder of the awesome time we had that day – some of the silliness that ensued – and that with great challenges, come great rewards. Thanks again Bill.


The all day hike.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKCyaVC4wgA&feature=channel_page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRfAAo_C8rQ&feature=channel_page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfWwUeid6WU&feature=channel_page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hAGOzF7HSQ&feature=channel_page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAWkOM8ip1Y&feature=channel_page

Caught on Film

I challenged myself to mix 3 different paper manufacturers on this one- October Afternoon, Cosmo Cricket and Scenic Route.

JOURNALING: A casual trip to the mall made special by a stop in the photo booth. Just the two of us. A rare sight to be

Bye Bye Kraft Girls

Apparently I am the Ted McGinley of the scrapbook Design Team world. It seems that everytime I find a home/team to be part of the site/club goes and has the 'Jump the Shark' episode. First it was Scrap4Life and now it's Kraft Girl Kits.



I'm sad to announce that Kraft Girl Kits is going out of business. I completely understand Pam's decision to spend more time with her young family. Finding balance and harmony in life is always a fine line to walk and I'm glad she made the decision she did.



The upside is that this means a SALE!!! All of the kits with the exception of the September kit are 50% off of the original $32 price…$16!! This is an incredible deal!!! Shewill be happy to combine shipping, so after the shipping costs are calculated, you will receive a refund between the shipping costs charged and the actual costs.


If you want to do it all in one transaction, contact her here and let me know what all you want and I will send you a Paypal invoice.


**Edited (some kits have sold out)** November 08, December 08, July 09, August 09, and September 09 kits are left. To check them out and purchase them, please go HERE!


Happy shopping:)



Pam- thanks for the opportunity to be part of your Team and dream!!

It's a . . . baby. We call it Thermos.

We went for our big diagnostic ultrasound this past Tuesday. As far as we can tell everything looked great. The tech estimated my due date a week earlier (1/25/10) but we're sticking with the original 2/2/10 date. Thermos is tipping the scales at 15 oz.

I know it sound crazy, but even in the ultrasound Thermos looks a little like Bennet and Scout did. Nick made the comment that it has my chin bone structure already. I am always amazed to see baby moving around in there. The tech had a really hard time getting measurements b/c it was dancing like crazy. So much for a low key baby. j/k.

I made this layout to answer the, "Do you know what you're having?" question.

JOURNALING: When it comes to finding out the sex of a baby I am a strict member of Team Yellow. In my opinion there is a huge difference between finding out in a dark u/s room at 20 weeks and finding out on delivery day. Your Dad & I have gone through 9 months of happy times and random emotional crying times. It all comes down to that moment. We finally get to meet him or her. You're finally here. Now I am a big planner. It surprises people that I don't find out. But I don't feel less prepared. I feel excited & ready for one of life's last true surprises. So when people ask, "Do you know what you're having?" I jokingly reply. "A baby." We will know soon enough. 20 more weeks to go.