Today (and everyday) I am thankful for these two. Even when they are fussy, crying over not being able to beat Count Dooku on Star Wars Wii, teething, feverish, talking back, grabbing everything & putting it in their mouth, upset about doing homework, crying in the middle of the night, whining, yelling for me from across the house, etc. Even then, especially then, I am thankful to have them in my life.
Digital tag can be found here: Love Life Chipboard Tags
(a little riding practice on a walk to the coffee shop in the morning)
(two monkeys, a buzz, and harry)
(anna is still checking out lucy's snack)
(A little conversation about Simon being ready to go home - good capture Dad. All these people were gathered on Proctor Street in Tacoma for an annual trick or treating event - they close off a couple streets and all the businesses give out candy from 4-6pm - a great time for little trick or treaters. Definitely don't get this many people at our house or at my brother's house.)
Just a few images from our Halloween adventure to Tacoma a couple weekend's back. It was so fun to have all the cousins together for Halloween. I also wanted to say thank you for the birthday wishes last week. Life is good.
Designer Digitals is having their quarterly sale now through Tuesday at 6am Eastern. 30% off everything in the store.
Here's some recent items I have added (a bunch of new layered templates - if you would like to learn more about using digital layered templates go here):
Gratitude Quote Brushes & Stamps
We spent some time this past weekend in central Oregon.
On Saturday Chris & Simon did some serious adventuring down into a lava cave (Boyd Cave - they are actually lava tubes). Not being a fan of dark, cold enclosed spaces I decided to pass on this one and sent them on their way.
They had a great time. Simon loved it (he also loved that he got to pick out a new flashlight to bring home). Chris loved it because Simon loved it. I think they would have even spent more time down there if they would have had more gear (helmets, gloves, etc.).
I'm thinking this shot underground would be a perfect home for writing the story of their adventure.
And I'm looking forward to doing a layout that juxtaposes an above ground shot and a below ground shot. I love how Chris captured the scene (vs. just a close up of Simon's face) in all three of these photos.
Inspired by The Simple Woman's Day Book. I did one entry last June and felt like it was time to do it again.
Outside my window...many of the beautiful bright yellow leaves have fallen from the branches.
I am thinking...about and looking forward to getting together with my siblings and their families for Halloween. Also looking forward to getting together with some college friends on Monday.
I am thankful for...Chris returning home safe & sound after 2 weeks in China. I am thankful for Simon doing his homework tonight without complaining and prolonging the process. I am thankful for our babysitter. I am thankful for the students in my online class who are fearlessly embarking on telling the meaningful stories of their lives.
From the kitchen...taco salads for the big people; beans & cheese for the little ones. And lots of honeycrisp apples.
I am wearing...a pink hooded sweatshirt, black cropped yoga pants & no shoes.
I am creating...a few more projects for the end of my Yesterday & Today class.
I am going...to go to bed as soon as I finish this post. Tired. Tired. Tired.
I am reading...Beauty: The Invisible Embrace
I am hoping...to start working on my December Daily soon. I am so ready, but need to finish a couple other things first. I am also hoping to stay well...I feel like I am on the edge of getting sick.
I am hearing...the sound of our neighbor's truck pulling in to his driveway.
Around the house...there is silence. Everyone is tucked away in their beds. I don't usually stay up late - I am more of a morning person - but every once in awhile I just keep working. And I pay for it in the morning when the alarm goes off at 6am to get Simon up and ready for school.
One of my favorite things...looking at all these old family photos square-punched on my table.
A few plans for the rest of the week...family time, a little adventure, a little dressing-up, and checking a few more things off my to-do list.
A picture to share...
Of course we just happen to have a few extra keyboards that make good table toys for Anna while Simon is working on his homework. The technology she will know in her lifetime...
She is so cool.
Click for a larger view. Supplies: Katie Pertiet: Naturally Krafty, Notebook Paper Pack, Beige Paper Alpha Caps; Michelle Martin Colbie Solids, Ethan Solids; Anna Aspnes: Stitched By Anna White No 1; Ali Edwards Remember Good Times Template; Circle Month Overlays; Patti Knox DIY Acrylic Alphabet.
Here's the journaling:
Eight months. Eight months of life. Everyone always talks about how fast it all goes by, this thing called life, and boy does that manifest itself right in front of your eyes with an infant. I have said it before and I know I will say it again, Anna, we are so glad you are a part of our family. Not a day goes by that one of the three of us doesn’t remark on how cute you are or how cool it is that you are with us. It’s hard to explain just exactly what the impact you have made on each one of us really is and maybe it just can’t be defined. You are here and you are joy. Living and breathing and crying and laughing and watching and eating and swimming joy.At the eight month mark you are still sitting absolutely straight and tall with an inkling for moving forward out of that position. You are most enamored with your brother. He can make you laugh consistently and your eyes are always watching to see just what he is going to do next. You are still a tiny little thing at just 5% for weight, weighing in at 14 pounds, 10 ounces last week. You are definitely wanting to be a part of everything happening around here my little wide-eyed sprite.
Back-to-school is in full swing around here.
Now instead of one kid at the table there are two. Instead of one kid's reflection in the table during homework-time there are two.
There's the boy, diligently working on his homework:
And the there's the girl, taking it all in:
For her right now she is literally taking it all in. Everything goes right in her mouth.
Another thing I am loving with her right now is her fascination and delight with all the photos we have up around the house. Her favorite is one that is hanging in her room of her and her cousin Gabrielle. She totally smiles and wants to stop there each time we walk by. It's been fun to see her reacting with such joy to the images.
After Simon finishes his homework, or as we take a little break between subjects, he usually likes to check out whatever has been entertaining her for the last few minutes. On this day it was some felt food. I think she is asking politely for her hamburger back.
And then there were two.
Just one more reminder that Yesterday & Today - my online workshop with Big Picture Scrapbooking - begins tomorrow. I can't believe it is finally here! I am nervous and excited and am looking forward to getting started. Registration will remain open until October 7.
And I loved it.
And Simon loved it.
And Anna, well, she just loves anything to do with Simon.
Christmas PJ's are next.
And in case you are wondering, these shirts are by a company called Glug.
I am excited to announce that next September (2010) I'll be embarking on a fantastic adventure to Greece with my friends Karen Russell,Jenni Bowlin, and Tricia Canonico from Cocoa Daisy for a scrapbook getaway event. Jenni and I will be in charge of a couple scrapbooking workshops and Karen will be teaching photography. You can check out the initial details here or email mailbox@cocoadaisy.com for more information. Registration will open in mid-October.
It's been awhile since I last put a minibook together. I figured with the addition of Anna to our family it was about time to make a little 3+1=4 book to celebrate our family of 4.
Most supplies for this minibook came from Cocoa Daisy's kits (the main kit + the add-ons) this month that included many of my favorite number and alphabet products. Additional supplies include Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Paint in Sable Brown and Hambly's Little Circles Metallic Silver Overlay.
Here's a look into my process:After letting the brown paint dry on the inside and outside of the Maya Road mini album I attached the K&Company fabric number brads to the cover and rubbed-on the ruler lines from Maya Road.
This Maya Road mini album used here comes with four tabbed chipboard pages and four envelope pages.
I covered the four chipboard pages with a patterned paper on one side and photos on the other.
I looked for photos that had at least three or all four of us together. It ended up working out just right to have two with all of us and one each of me and Chris with the kids. For covering these pages with pattern paper and photos I use a glue stick and a xacto knife to cut off the excess around the chipboard.
For a little something different I cut each of the envelopes and stuck a piece of Hambly transparency inside to create a new page.
In addition to the transparency I slipped one of the journaling cards that came with the kit into the pocket.
On the back I cut a domino from the Graphic 45 pattern paper (each one had 4 dots) and adhered it to the seam.
As a finishing touch, before adding a quote by hand on the back, I did a zig zag stitch with my machine in red across the seam. For more simple stitching ideas check out my article with ten layout examples in the October issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine.
I did the same thing for the vertical envelopes using the journaling cards and dominoes. After getting all those base pages set up I was ready to add some more 4's to the album as accents.
To each of the patterned paper chipboard pages I added a circle and a number 4.
Here's a look at the completed book with hand-written quotes about life and family:
Each of the tabbed pages ended up with a word on the tab: Mother, Father, child, and baby.
I also added a bit of paint around each of the chipboard pages to finish them off.
Simplify 101 has two workshops starting in September. Organizing 101 begins September 8th and Organize Your Closet begins on Sept. 22nd. This is a brand new workshop and just $20 - a great price point for people who want to give an online organizing workshop a try.
Today Renee Pearson is kicking off her official "Super Colossal Back to School Digital Event Thingie!" at ReneePearson.com. This week long event begins today at 9am Pacific and includes a new goodie bag each day with digital freebies and live chats with Cathy Zielske, Tiffany Tillman, Ali Edwards (Thursday at 5pm Pacific) and others. Visit the site to register to win one of the Prize Packs, a daily Grand Prize and the Super Colossal grand prize: a brand spanking new Epson Style Photo R1900 printer. Daily grand prizes from Wacom, Corel, Scrapper's Guide, PerAnnum, Big Picture Scrapbooking (a spot in Ali's Yesterday & Today class) and Unibind. Find out more at ReneePearson.com.
They are the most awesome, wonderful Grandparents. And they take photos.
Love you guys. Thank you for always being so supportive of all of us. And thank you especially for the amazing gifts you have given Simon of time and love and adventure. You have made a difference in his life.
Yesterday : Oregon Coast
THURSDAY NIGHT : Awesome cooler weather with just a touch of a breeze. Dinner & an elephant ear. A bit of grouchiness from the older kid after he didn't win a game. A couple rides (the ferris wheel with mom & the haunted house with dad). Lovely light. Tons of excitement going in and really tired kids & parents coming out. Savoring the last few weeks of summer.
