Someday baby...

so is this how I make a link?

2007-08-27T22:35:00.000-07:00

Here's my shot:

The website is www.twopeasinabucket.com

I want the word/link to simply say 2Peas

Here we go: [url=http://www.twopeasinabucket.com]2Peas[/url]

so why aren't they showing up?

2007-08-27T22:19:00.000-07:00

Anyone? Wait, I don't think anyone actually reads this! Ugh! My last few posts aren't showing up...what's up with that?

brandon & olivia, august 2007

2007-08-27T22:13:00.000-07:00

I made this as a 4x6 photo to bring to work. I used a free kit from

2Peas

called "Mary Mary Quite Contrary" by Sande Krieger.

august 2007

2007-08-27T22:05:00.000-07:00

My super-cool desktop for the month of August. I got the template at

shabby miss jenn designs

two and a half?

2007-08-27T21:52:00.000-07:00

How can that be? My sweet little boy is growing up right before my eyes. I know they say time flies, but does it have to take the concorde? What's wrong with, say, a glider or something?

Anyhow, this is Brandon, sitting on my lap, saying "Take me". So I did. Could he be any goofier?

toilet paper, anyone?

2007-08-27T21:46:00.000-07:00

We were all out in the family room...except Olivia, obviously. When down the hallway came a ball of white, toilet paper that is. It had seemed too quiet, and we all know what that means!

catchin' up

2007-08-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted anything, and since I want to switch over to blogger only (so I don't have to send monthly photo emails anymore), I better get cracken'!

Every morning Brandon invites "Sissy" into his crib so they can play together. It is so cute, and it gives me at least 10 minutes of "free" time to put stuff away!

I got Brandon this cute bug hat at Joann's for 89 cents! Silly me only bought one (since he wore it around the store)...whoops! Fortunately they had one left a couple weeks later when I made it back there for another one. Now both of them can wear them all the time!

Considering I grew up in Northern California, and I *love* wine...this is the first time I've been to Napa, and it was only because we had a wedding to go to! My parents had the kids overnight so we didn't have to drive home after a fun wedding. So we took advantage of it & went to a couple of wineries...we couldn't come home without a thank you gift, right?

Okay, this isn't really the best picture of a trip to the water park in Rocklin with our playgroup, but it is cute! And Olivia is wearing a bikini...although it sure looks like she's in her birthday suit :)

Now doesn't Olivia look ready to hit the town! Hey, she's got her bling shades, hairbow, binky, & her very own purple water bottle!

This is Olivia's "smile" of the month. We've got more than a few shots of her with this look...not sure if she thinks she's smiling or what. But it's cute!

"Mommy, take me." Brandon-speak for "Mommy, take my picture." And he's cute too!

I heard this weird noise in my room, and found Brandon trying to get the portacrib out of there into the hallway. He settled for leaving it in our room so he & Olivia could play. Whatever floats your boat.

And finally, our last trip to Folsom Lake for the season. The sign when we got there said "Launch at your own risk. No refunds." The water was so low that we had to park in the dirt (well below the "regular" launch ramp) & launch from the normally under water one. We had no problem launching, and there was enough water to drive around. And we had a great sandy beach to picnic on.

The problem came when we were driving back to the launch ramp where David was waiting with my dad's pick-up. All of a sudden we heard this awful noise & we didn't move; we had hit a rock in the water! Great. We did get free & were able to get the boat back to the trailer, but....Let's just say it's a good thing that it's the end of the summer! The prop is totally chewed up! The good news: David wasn't driving & it's not our boat. Sorry Dad!

good times

2007-08-08T00:40:00.000-07:00

I love to stamp! Good times :)

And for any random person that might actually be reading this, I post my creations & recipes for my own future reference. And in case someone actually checks these out!

fabulous

2007-08-06T00:14:00.000-07:00

At first I wasn't sure about this stamp set. Then I kept seeing it cut & layered, like I did here. Now I *love* this fun set. And since I'm now co-leader of Moms & More, I get to send cards to new moms. Yay! I think this is a great set for that...dare to be fabulous!

Details: chocolate chip, rose red, & confetti white cardstock; tres jolie patterned paper; chocolate chip & versamark ink; whimsy stampin around wheel; fabulous flowers stamp set; clear embossing powder

my first bella!

2007-08-02T00:28:00.001-07:00

I got my first bella stamps in the mail today, this one & Cosmo Bella.

Since both Niki & Lorraine are newly pregnant, I thought I'd make them each a card. I've known about Niki for quite a while, and I've been anxiously awaiting my new stamp. I got the "expecting joy" stamp by A Muse a while back, right after I found out she was pregnant.

This isn't my favorite card, but like I said, I wanted to get something made. I really need to get more patterned paper specifically for cards!

And speaking of cards...as the new Mom's & More playgroup co-leader, I get to send out cards to the moms when they're new, sick, pregnant, etc! Yay! I can start sending out more cards (& therefore making more too). Message to David: GOD called me to send cards :)

ugg

2007-07-31T22:58:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of myself right now! I just printed out a picture on my printer that I created in photoshop! Yay! Using a tutorial from Jessica Sprague on masking (which I had used before on my "You" layout of Brandon).

I love the look of masking (at least with her grunge frame). And I was able to change the background color by using a "cheat sheet" of Stampin' Up! Colors...so much easier (for me) to know what color it is I'm looking for, you know? I used the RGB codes for So Saffron for this:

That became the title for this page:

(patterned paper, Tres Jolie; epoxy stickers, Provo Craft; font, Hootie; tools, Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 & mask from Jessica Sprague)

gingerbread

2007-07-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

I finally finished this layout from Christmas time! Yay!

Supplies: Patterned Paper, KI Memories; Cardstock, SU!; font, Century Gothic; digital techniques, Jessica Sprague; Clear epoxy stickers, Making Memories (KI Memories patterned paper punched behind them).

"October"

2007-07-26T22:03:00.000-07:00

I finally finished Olivia's scrapbook page for October...getting closer to finished (hey, she's not two yet!).

Journaling reads:

Well, little Missy, you’re now almost six months old…where does the time go?

You entered October with a yucky tummy flu. But, you finally mastered sitting up on your own with only a little bit of support from the boppy pillow.

On the 7th, we made a trek up to Apple Hill, where you weren’t too thrilled to be placed in the pumpkins for mommy to take your picture. Sorry! It could’ve been cute!

The next week for playgroup we headed out to Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm, where you seemed to enjoy looking at all the animals & pumpkins. That weekend we went to another pumpkin patch (Zittels, here in Folsom). You had fun there riding in a wagon with Brandon.

You had mastered sitting all by yourself by the time you were officially six months old. However, that was little consolation to me. You see, you had spent the better part of the month crying & clinging to me non-stop. And as much as I loved that you only wanted me, and cried for me when I was gone, I was exhausted! So, we took you to the doctors, only to find out nothing was wrong except that it was time to get you to take a bottle so that I wasn’t your only food source. And what a world of difference that was! Looking back, I think you also had at least one ear infection during this time (the first of many!)

By the time we had our Halloween picnic for playgroup, just two days after getting you started on formula, you were almost a different baby! So happy! And everyone knows, a happy baby means a happy mommy! You were so cute as a little monkey!

That Sunday we had Trunk or Treat at church, and you were a cute little decoration for our car  You did really well, even though it was a long day. And you even went trick or treating on Halloween, although you didn’t last long for that! WAY past your bedtime.

Overall it was a great month, though at the time it seemed like a very long month! Here’s to November!

(Supplies: patterned paper & letter stickers: Basic Grey; Big Blooms stamps, Blue Bayou ink, & white grosgrain: Stampin Up!; font: Arial; circle punches: EK Success & Marvy Uchida)

crocs

2007-07-23T21:17:00.000-07:00

We did it.

We joined the league of those who wear Crocs. Well, at least the kids did.

Olivia had a cute pair of sandals that were getting too small (and after being washed in the washing machine to get the puke off, they were too small). And Brandon was complaining that his were hurting. So...heaven forbid that you want to buy sandals in the middle of July! We didn't have much of a selection, & Olivia liked the pink. And her feet are really wide (sorry!), so they fit well. And of course Brandon wanted a pair like her's (in pink too...well, he got blue). So here's to the Crocs. The kids love them.

palm springs

2007-07-23T20:59:00.000-07:00

First let me point out that I was not too excited about going to Palm Springs in the middle of July. Yes, we were going to stay in a nice hotel with a nice pool. Yes we were going to visit with David's parents. Yes it was going to be over 100 there (and here too most likely). But...it was going to take 10 hours in the car!

But it really wasn't too bad...actually it was quite nice & I wish I could've stayed a bit longer. I'm now actually looking forward to going again...although preferably when it's greener & cooler (and, unfortunately, more expensive!).

Our hotel was great; we had a suite so we could put the kids to bed & still hang out. And we were right off of the pool, so on Weds night we put Olivia down, opened up the doors, and went into the pool. Awesome!

We got to visit with David's dad & step mom (Ted & Nancy), his Uncle Lenny, cousin Cassie out from Ohio, & his cousin Lori & her girls (sorry, no pictures!). We also got to see Ted & Nancy's new house in Indio.

Unfortunately it was a bit too hot for me to be out & about with Olivia, because the shopping there looks phenomenol! I can't wait to go back.

more fun stuff

2007-07-12T00:39:00.001-07:00

New stickles on my flip flop stamp...also some fun crystal flowers from Heidi Swapp. So pretty...can I have a pair?

And this fun card used up some of my Basic Grey from a recent layout...heck, the above card is using up some BG from an older layout. Yay! I love to use from my stash...unfortunately that pile only seems to be growing :)

when life gives you limes...

2007-07-12T00:19:00.001-07:00

I'm just having WAY too much fun with my margarita stamp! I case'd the idea for the limes from Julie Ebersole over on Paper Truffles . I used the spiral daisy stamp in white craft & embossed it with white embossing powder (not SU & so annoying...it's starting to clump up!). Anyhow, I punched that out of the certainly celery with my 1" punch, then I used Kathy's 1 1/4" punch in old olive for the rind. So cool!

I made the first one here last weekend at my parents' when Kathy was up. I didn't have the cool "When life gives you limes" stamp that I've been drooling over...I *love* A Muse! So of course I headed over to Paper Garden in Sac on Tues when I was supposed to be heading to work! Yay! Amuse-a-palooza was going on so I got to do a make & take. And I got to try out Copic markers...SOLD! I didn't get any since I was picking up a couple of stamps, some more stickles, and a tray for embossing (to make clean up easier).

So as soon as I could, I got to work & made card #2! And I even used some old KI Memories patterned paper...woo-hoo! I'm so pleased with myself! This time I was able to use my new lime green stickles on the rim, which I like better than the clear. I know it's supposed to be salt & not green, but it shows up better this way. And of course I used my crystal effects that Stephanie Nishikawa made up for me (well, and other shoppers too). So happy!

two cutie pies

2007-07-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

David brought this cooler in on Friday when he was getting everything packed up for his camping trip with the boys. So Olivia decided to push it around the house like a car & of course she had to climb on in!

And then Brandon wanted his picture taken too...Is this my little boy? Wow!

Happy Fourth of July!

2007-07-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

What a week so far! And it's only the 5th...

On Monday night we all headed out to a River Cats game in West Sac. Fortunately we took two cars since there were 7 of us & it would've been a tight squeeze. Olivia lasted until the TOP of the 1st inning until she barfed all over the place, including all over me! Eww! Although I had pj's for her in the car I could change her into, I did not have an entire change for myself. Oh well. Everyone else had a great time, and Brandon got to meet Dinger (the mascot). David even got a video of it, but I don't have it on the computer.

Tuesday I worked, and fortunately Olivia didn't get sick again. So we thought everything was A-OK.

Wednesday was the 4th, and we had no real plans. And considering it was 105, I'm glad! We were going to picnic lunch at the water park in Rocklin, but darn...the kids' naps interfered! So we bbq'd chicken at my parents & set some fireworks off. Brandon thought it was great, Olivia wasn't too sure. That's okay. So we took off since it was bedtime for the kiddos & we didn't want to have too many drunks on the road with us. Just as we were about a mile & a half from home (and thankfully NOT in the rodeo traffic!), Olivia barfed again. Big time. Thank God she had her blankie from my mom...or it would've been ALL over in the car! Eww! I was the lucky one to remove her from the car when we got home...how I didn't throw up is beyond me. David got it all cleaned up while I showered down Olivia (who was covered...poor thing!).

Then this morning I thought we'd take it easy. I had no idea what caused Livi to get sick, and it was 90 by 8:45. And then I saw Brandon's butt. I'll spare you the details of what really happened, but needless to say I think both kids got some bug. And they both got a bath this morning.

David takes off tomorrow for a weekend of four-wheeling. So hopefully everyone is okay.

tickled pink

2007-07-03T21:45:00.001-07:00

I *love* this sentiment & the dress is adorable! Both stamps are from A Muse, and both caught my eye as I was searching for some inspiration (aka, shopping!) for a baby girl card for my friend Laurel.

Anyhow, it didn't come out exactly as I envisioned it. Not that I'm not happy, but....I didn't have enough paper! Ha! Well, not in the right colors. I couldn't justify putting "tickled" pink on green or purple, so I did this. I even "made" my own patterned paper (a first?) with a stamp from Polka Dots & Paisley. Maybe my next attempt will have some green or purple, but for now it's pink!

Farley Farts

2007-07-02T00:17:00.001-07:00

Kathy found this cute book, Farley Farts, at a bakery in Aptos (?). It even farts when you push the button! Okay, it sounds gross, but it's actually pretty cute. And Brandon wanted to read with her...even better.

Rocklin Water Park

2007-07-02T00:09:00.000-07:00

Last Friday (June 29) instead of going to the Folsom Cattle Drive, mom & I took the kids over to the water park in Rocklin. The weather was nice & warm (but not hot), so it was perfect! The kids had a blast.

It was a bummer to miss the Cattle Drive, but it's every year. And Olivia was battling her 4th ear infection in 3 months. So...we had to work in a doctor's appt & deal with a cranky baby. And the parade is at "high noon"...so we also were going to have to deal with two hungry little ones. Hey, there's next year. And I think they had plenty of fun at the park!

breakaway to the galaxy

2007-07-02T00:06:00.000-07:00

This last June I volunteered at our church's version of vbs. We call it Breakaway. It was so much fun! I worked in arts & crafts for the 4 & 5 year olds. This photo was taken out front...amazing! I love how they always have photographers at the events so you don't have to constantly have your camera on you...or know how to take great shots!

Olivia, then & now

2007-07-01T23:59:00.000-07:00

I love our glider! Besides that it's super comfy, puts Olivia to sleep in a minute, and makes a nice bed on "those" nights, it photographs so nicely.

I took this first picture last June 23. Olivia was just 2 months old!

This one here was taken two weeks ago, June 14, one year later. Wow. What a difference.

bathing beauties

2007-07-01T23:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Brandon isn't exactly a "beauty"...but they're MY kids so I can call them what I want, right?

Pretty Princess birthday

2007-07-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

Alexis is going to be one next Saturday, but her party is this afternoon, so last night at my parent's I made this.

Stamp is Pretty Princess.

Happy Happy Birthday

2007-06-30T15:06:00.000-07:00

For a friend's 2nd birthday party this afternoon.

How to: barely banana, old olive, & whisper white cs; SEI ptn paper & epoxy stickers; MM number stamp; All Year Cheer II (SU) sentiment

PHS '94

2007-06-18T23:15:00.000-07:00

Holly posted this challenge on Myspace so of course I had to respond & share it here:

Body: Fill this out about your SENIOR year of high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be.

1. Who was your best friend?
Elizabeth Smith, Karen Erickson

2.What sports did you play?
nope

3. What kind of car did you drive?
'86 5 speed iridiscent mint green Ford Escort, hatchback (& my parent's car)

4. It's Friday nite...where r u?
Dennys

5. Were you a party animal?
nope

6. Were you considered a flirt?
was voted "Ms. Hey Baby What's Your Sign?"

7. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
band freshman year

8. Were you a nerd?
I hope not

9. Did you get suspended/expelled?
nope

10. Can you sing the fight song?
umm, no..

11. Who were your favorite teachers??
Ms. Victoreen, Mr. Foletta (yummy!)

12. Where did you sit during lunch?
the quad, senior bench in senior year

13.What was your school's full name?
Pioneer High School

14. School mascot?
Mustangs

15. Did you go to Prom?
of course!

16. If you could go back and do it again, would you?
hmmmm....probably

17. What do you remember most about graduation?
senior cruise on the Bay

18. Where did you go senior skip day?
I have no idea!

20. Were you in any clubs?
Interact, CSF, NHS, Journalism (not a club, but), & others

21. Where did you go most often for lunch?
the quad (closed campus, though we did buy the "narcs" Togos so we could go there too!)

22. Have you gained some weight since then?
yes

25. Who was your Senior prom date?
MIke Stone

26. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion?
We didn't have one :( But we're hoping for a 15th

27. Who was your home room teacher
didn't have one

28. Who will repost this after you?
???

29. Who was your high school sweetheart
no sweetheart, but David Quesada was my big crush & heartbreak

30. Do you still talk to people from high school?
a few on myspace

31. Did you win prom queen or king?
No

POST THIS WITH YOUR SCHOOL'S NAME AND YOUR GRADUATION YEAR

beautiful nail

2007-06-15T23:25:00.000-07:00

Kathy sent me this video a while back & it is HILARIOUS! Anyone's who's gotten their nails done...anyhow, just had to put it on here for the few of you who check it out!

tomster's survey challenge

2007-06-14T23:41:00.000-07:00

My friend Audrey posted this on myspace, & of course I had to take her up on it. I love how with email & now myspace you are never at a loss for these silly surveys!

I'll take you up on this Audrey!

1. I've come to realize...
that you don't get a rewind button, so do it right the first time.

2. I am listening to...
a humming sound in the distance...power lines?

3. I talk...
too much!

4. I love...
my kids

5. My best friends...
are few

6. My Car...
is full of cookie crumbs

7. My love life...
could use a pick-me-up

8. I hate it when people ask...
if my kids are twins

9. Love is...
undescrible

10. Marriage is..
frustrating!!!!

11. Somewhere, someone is thinking...
hey, there's a rock in my tire...oh, wait! Score! It's a diamond in my tire!

12. I'm always...
up WAYYYY past my bedtime

13. I have a secret crush on...
Boo from Survivor :) love the eye candy on that show!

14. I love to eat...
sushi

15. My cell phone...
would be prettier in pink

16. When I wake up in the morning...
I tell Olivia to shut up & go back to sleep (in my head)

17. Before I go to bed...
I take a shower, no time in the morning

18. Right now I am thinking about...
what to answer to these silly (but fun) questions & whether I should post this on my blog too

19. Babies are...
a gift from God, but a LOT of work

20. I get on MySpace...
more often now than before

21. Today I...
went to the grocery store...yes, I was THAT lady with the 2 screaming kids that should've been at home

23. Tomorrow I will...
have to go to work :(

24. I really want...
a new big diamond :) Hello insurance!

25. Someone that will most likely repost this...
Audrey sent it, Holly replied....hmmmm....

choo-choo

2007-06-14T13:38:00.000-07:00

These aren't exactly the photos of me that I want to share, but....Brandon learned how to be the choo-choo train (we're guessing at church?) recently. He had my mom "choo-choo"ing around the house while I was at the dentist on Monday, and then all 3 of us once I got home. Too cute!

new slideshow...will it work?

2007-06-11T22:02:00.000-07:00

bummer

2007-06-11T15:55:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it. Olivia went to grab my ring this afternoon (she likes sparkly things) and as I said "diamond" I realized it wasn't there. It came out of its setting. Lord only knows when. I think it was there when I picked it up this morning, since the prongs are quite sharp. And when I changed her diaper after getting home from Trader Joes (right before when I noticed it was gone) I think it was gone since my ring caught on the changing pad (unusual).

Why did this happen now? We're trying to sell the house, get our finances in shape, & hopefully buy a new (to us) house in the near future. And of course the little diamonds in my wedding band & engagement ring are chipped, so it's not like I want to just replace the diamond.

Ugh.

reading

2007-06-08T13:52:00.000-07:00

washing the car with daddy

2007-06-08T13:41:00.001-07:00

The other day at Target we found some cool (aka, cheap!) paintbrushes (5 for $2.50) & thought they'd be perfect for the kids to paint in the water outside. Mostly Brandon has been dusting the house for me with a big one (oh darn!), but last night I decided to show him how to wash the car with them.

David wanted to wash the car anyhow, & was getting everything ready, so I pulled out the brushes & let the kids go for it!

happy kids

2007-06-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

Brandon & Olivia love to sit at their little table on the patio. I think it's so cute how Brandon has to sit right next to his sister.

new stuff!

2007-06-07T22:57:00.000-07:00

Oh I can't wait for the new SU catty! I keep seeing all these fun new things on Beate's blog (fresh & fun) and SCS....I can hold out until July, but can I hold out until Jenn's party? Time to start saving...I could spend a bit on paper alone (at least I can "say" that I'll use it for scrapping too).

jump!

2007-06-07T22:42:00.000-07:00

Finally!

I went out yesterday & used the last of my birthday gift cards at Scrapbook Station...unfortunately most of it had to go for a new album. But I did manage to pick up some fun paper for this layout & another one for Olivia's album.

I just counted & I've only got 20 layouts to go to catch up...then only problem? One of them is from 2005! Christmas card pics...and I'm so not in the mood for holiday layouts right now. I think I've got about 5.

Anyhow...I used BG Phoebe paper here, 2 Peas Island Style font, and KI Memories chipboard for letters & embellishments. But here's the cool part: I painted the letters white & then versamarked them (they were too streaky) & added glitter emobssing powder. Wow! Even my dh was excited! And of course I had to make the embellishments match. They were already solid colored & matched, so I only did the embossing. I think it really added that special touch.

[got margaritas?]

2007-06-05T23:41:00.000-07:00

Yummy! Gotta get me some of those stamps!

That's what I said when I first saw this combo of stamps.

So I headed on over to Stephanie Nishikawa's Paper Garden at Town & Country. She's such a doll! I love--wait, no *LOVE*--her shop! Full of fun stamps & punches & embellishments...it's a stamper's dream come true! Send me in there with a blank check, and well, I'd be able to open up my own shop.

Anyhow...My first visit was a couple of weeks ago when I got the cool flip flop stamp with matching flower & "happy summer". I also got the [got margaritas?] stamp because it's so "me". And so I decided that with all the crap going on right now that I needed a margarita (well, I real one would've been better, but a stamp is safer, no?). I also got some cool liquid shimmery stuff (don't know the name) to make the glasses look real & shiny. And I treated myself to the giga scallop circle. Unfortunately I couldn't use it on these cards, but that's okay.

So this evening I sat down to play & realized I still had Olivia's birthday scrapbook page to finish (couldn't scan it b/c it's too bulky with all her cards in it, and it's almost identical to the one for our album that I already posted). So I did that (yay!), and realized that I had some pretty cool paper left over that was meant to go on a margarita card. So I made 5! Then I made one more when I was playing around waiting for the stickles & liquid shimmers to dry. Six cards in one evening...I'm good!

Now I just need to decide who I'm going to share them with! If I had the addresses for everyone in our new stampers club I could do that. But I'm not hosting the next party. Hmmmm...I may send them out as reminders when I host in Sept. If I can wait that long!

Until then...got margaritas?

a few more cards

2007-06-04T17:23:00.000-07:00

I have been stampin' up a storm today (ha, pun not intended but perfect!). I made three cards this afternoon, & could've done more if my son had cooperated & napped. But, he's 2 so it's not like he's got "cooperate" in his vocabulary!

The first card I made I posted earlier for Beate's challenge (my #3 for her #4).

Then I saw some leftover paper I got to do Olivia's first birthday scrapbook pages with (but didn't). I thought it would work with certainly celery, which it did. And not much else! But I got a card done with scraps & a little ribbon. So I can't really complain. I used my Fun Filled stamp set, which I haven't used except for Olivia's birthday invitations.

This next card I used more of the "birthday" paper. This time the polka-dot. I mounted it on white & then on a celery card (that is a scrap itself; I punched a flower out of it for something else but it's covered up now...at least on the outside!). Then I stamped from Baby Talk in cameo coral on white, mounted it on cameo coral, added a bit of celery grosgrain, and voila. Not my favorite, but it came out okay. And I leared that some paper just doesn't go with anything but the paper it came with, so I tossed the rest of the "birthday" paper. Hey, I got a 2-page layout & 2 cards out of it. So not too bad.

I hate this!

2007-06-04T17:22:00.000-07:00

I hate trying to make my text line up with my photos!!!!! Why won't it do what I want it too!!!!

Okay, vent over.

Happy Birthday to me (a couple weeks late!)

2007-06-04T17:15:00.000-07:00

Yes, my birthday was over 2 weeks ago. But it just dawned on me to upload the cards I got from my mom & sister.

The first card here is from my mom. I thought she did an amazing job, even though she compares card making to dental work. Oh well. She does better than she gives herself credit for!

This next card is from my sister...great job Kathy! She's the reason I got into stamping in the first place!

And lastly, well, this wasn't for my birthday. Heck, it wasn't even for me. Kathy made this EASTER card for my kids. But she did such a great job I had to share.

#3 for Beate's challenge #4

2007-06-04T17:10:00.001-07:00

I had some more fun! This card I made with "my" Blooming with Happiness set (I used my sister's before). Colored the dress in w/ rose red (I love this color), and punched it out with my mom's 3" circle punch (do I have to give it back?). Then I carefully cut around it with rose red...I must say, cutting a circle around a circle is much easier than just cutting a circle! I got to use more of my striped paper stash, and I layered that on barely banana. The flowers are prima & have rhinestone brad centers. The card itself is old olive.

**ETA: looking at this post, I think I like my cards better when I scan them, at least so far. I'll have to see if I can find some info somewhere on how to photograph the cards better.**

Time to show off my kids!

2007-06-03T16:00:00.001-07:00

I post all my creations on here, but I seem to neglect pictures of my best creations! Brandon is my oldest, he's 27 months, and Olivia is 13 months. These are some photos from this last month. Enjoy!

another one for Beate's weekend sketch #4

2007-06-03T15:48:00.000-07:00

I've been having so much fun with these sketches...and these stamps too! I definitely get more inspired to actually do something with my stamps when I have a reason.

So for this card I stuck true to the sketch, & used a 4 1/4" square. I love that size since you can still fit it in an envelope without extra postage. I used rose red for my card & barely banana for the flower behind the flip flops. The stamps are all A Muse (such cute stuff from them!), and the striped paper & snaps are from my stash (yay!). The images are black stazon on confetti white. The yellow flower is from the Big Blooms set I just got. I think it worked out really nice behind the flip-flop stamp...perfect since I don't have a scallop punch or a circle that would work behind it & it needed "something".

Father's Day

2007-06-02T14:03:00.000-07:00

I used Beate's sketch challenge...again! Thank you so much for your wonderful sketches! Perfect for when I'm having stamper's block...and I need to get some cards done for Father's Day. Now that I'm making cards, I really try to get them out as early as possible so people can enjoy them for a bit.

I was planning on using my "Happy Father's Day" stamp from AYC II, but Kathy has that. I'll probaly stamp that inside. And I wasn't sure that it would work with this sketch anyhow.
I went ahead & used the hanging monkey & "love ya bunches" from Monkey Business. I *love* this set! The monkey is choc chip & I colored him w/ close to cocoa. I stamped him on confetti white & used my mom's 3" circle punch to cut him out. He's mounted on caribbean cool (so glad I have more of that! I love this color.) on a choc chip card. The first one I made has 1/2" old olive circle details on the left. Originally I punched 1/8" in the center but I didn't like that. And after I made the first one I realized I had a strip of barely banana on my desk waiting to be used...I got 9 circles punched out of it (barely!). And I think I like the yellow on the card better anyways

Polka Dots & Paisley

2007-06-01T13:15:00.000-07:00

Take one. I saw something similar to this on SCS, so of couse I had to copy it! I'm still learning in the creativity dept--although, is it learning if I've been scrapping for 8+ years & still lift ideas?

Anyhow, I *love* the POP paper from SU & can't wait to see what colors it comes in! I've already used a couple of sheets & although I like solid cardstock, I *love* this!

Details: certainly celery ink & paper, rose red ink & POP, celery grosgrain, staple, & distresser.

carte postale

2007-05-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

Kathy just called to get the info on this card, so I thought I better upload it write it all down before I do use it!

The card is sage shadow (I believe), and we used choc chip ink (as well as white craft w/ white embossing powder). We didn't have any choc chip paper, so we just inked some white. The border at the bottom is 1" of sage (stamped w/ white) on top of 1 1/4" "choc chip".

I loved making this card. It took a while, but Kathy, mom & I had a fun afternoon doing it. I love being able to stamp w/ other people!

wedding cards 2

2007-05-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

Inspiration finally struck! I spotted this card by yvette on splitcoast. Woo-hoo! I even have the POP paper too!

I changed the color to almost amethyst, just because I prefered to use "purple". And I made the stripes vertical. But overall I'm very pleased with my CASE!

wedding cards

2007-05-28T15:11:00.001-07:00

I have three weddings to go to this summer, so three wedding cards to make. Not sure what I want yet, but wedding #1 is this Saturday. All my shower cards are done, & were done with Blooming with Happiness. This set is Fairy Tale Wedding, & I plan on using it, just not sure how! I have the stuff so I can do the sample in the 06-07 idea book, or I can be creative. This is attempt #1. And it's not bad. Just not exactly what I want. At least I have another 2 shots this summer!

Beate's challenge (& thank you for Brandon's Sunday School Teachers)

2007-05-26T23:53:00.000-07:00

I made these two cards for Brandon's Sunday School teachers. Tomorrow is his last day in the 18-24 month class (they move everyone up as a class). We love Miss Destiny & his other teacher (I wish I could remember her name!), so we'll all be sad.

I used a sketch Beate posted on her blog, so I'm also submitting them to her blog candy contest. Yee-hah!

new amuse stamps :)

2007-05-23T08:13:00.001-07:00

I just got these new stamps from A muse yesterday. Fabulous! I discovered a very cool stamping/paper store (The Paper Garden) in Town & Country yesterday & wow! I went in for a margarita stamp which she didn't have, but I thought the flip-flops were a close second. I had fun with these small cards last night & can't wait to play with them some more. I used stickles for the first time on these too (on flower centers).

My favorite layout, right now

2007-05-22T23:23:00.001-07:00

I love this! I knew I wanted to get some pictures of Brandon in his hat, and when I saw this layout in Creating Keepsakes, I knew I had to scraplift it. And then when I learned how to do the grunge mask in Photoshop...wow!

Olivia's album, thus far

2007-05-22T23:16:00.001-07:00

2006 layouts I'm finally finishing

2007-05-22T23:14:00.000-07:00

I can't believe this was almost a year ago! Look how young Brandon is! Wow. I actually finished this one a couple of months ago....but I hadn't really shared it yet. I need to get my butt in gear & actually upload my current projects more often. I'd like to set up this blog for friends & family to check out. Well, someday baby....

My latest pages, from 2007

2007-05-22T23:06:00.001-07:00

I've gotten all of these pages done for our 2007 photo album, but no album yet! I think I've settled on the violet suede from Chatterbox, so now I just have to buy it. I just hate spending $30 on an album (boring!). I'd much rather spend it on stamps or scrapbook supplies!

More cards

2007-05-22T22:59:00.000-07:00

I just realized I have a couple of cards that I made & scanned, but never posted. So here we go:

I made this card as a thank you for Olivia's birthday. I copied an idea from one of the card sets in the SU spring mini.

stamps used: Very Punny & All Year Cheer II

I made this one for Beate's challenge over a week ago:

Stamps used: Paris in the Spring & Delight in Life

Living Large flowers

2007-05-11T22:39:00.000-07:00

I made this for a challenge from Beate's blog, but I didn't like the flowers in the upper left (as per the sketch), so I moved them to the bottom right & I'm much happier.

1st birthday!

2007-04-01T06:26:00.000-07:00

These are the invitations I made for Olivia's birthday party. The papers are regal rose & barely banana with white grosgrain. Ink is regal rose as well. The "poem" is from http://www.verseit.com

baby talk

2007-04-01T06:24:00.000-07:00

Finally some baby girl cards.

1) Barely banana & regal rose cardstock, plus a flower & button from my MM stash.

2) Certainly celerycardstock, rose grosgrain, plus SEI paper from my stash.

Bloomin' with Happiness

2007-03-26T21:11:00.000-07:00

More from this set...love it!

This I think will be the invite to Holly's shower. I had a couple of other ideas, but I really like this one. I just have to find more of the floral paper first!

This card is for Kathy's birthday...with her stamps :)

This was a thought for Holly's shower invites, but...I used "Thinking of You" because I don't like it as much as the one above. So I'll just use this for something else.

more stash used!
And I got some practice for my upcoming wedding shower invites for Holly.

I Like it a Latte

2007-03-26T14:59:00.000-07:00

I used up some of my stash! Yay!

Love this new stamp set from SU!, and I was able to use up this pink polka dot paper I got for Olivia's album (over a year ago). And the pink ribbom I used is even older than that!

I did also use my Delight in Life stamp, and some of my new rose grosgrain, but I was able to coordinate some Prima flowers too.

Happy Harmony

2007-03-13T00:41:00.000-07:00

Big Blossom

2007-03-12T23:28:00.000-07:00

new format!

2007-03-12T23:27:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to have decided to change the format of my blog. It's been quite a while since I've posted, since I just haven't had time! From now on I'm going to use it to showcase my cards :)

Abel's Apple Acres

2006-10-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

My mom & I took Brandon & Olivia to Apple Hill on Saturday to check out the pumpkin patch (Olivia's first), and to have some apples! The lines were long, the kids got cranky, but it was gorgeous & hey, it's fall!

Brandon wasn't too sure what to do with the pumpkins, and Livi wasn't too thrilled at all...I think she thought she was going to be held when I took her out of the stroller, not plunked on top of some pumpkins! After the pumpkins, we drove up to a winery to feed Olivia (not with the wine! just needed a place to park so I could nurse!) and let Brandon run around. He had a blast "driving" an old tractor...thank goodness!

Yee-hah!

2006-09-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

First, I swear I'm into more than clothes! But...

I just caught a sneak peek of the new gymbo line. The one that I have $125 of gymbucks for. And a $25 store credit. The one I can "spend" over $275 for $125.

Oh. My. Gosh.

Lately I haven't cared much for the boys' lines, but I heard this one had trains. I think I might have to return some of his baby gap stuff to justify this!

Score!

2006-09-12T20:16:00.000-07:00

Last night I was on Gymbohaven's chit chat forum & someone had a 20% off code up for grabs & I got it! Yay! I re-ordered everything I got last week (and added a little more in!) & got $75 Gymbucks for not too much more than I spent last week :) Now I just have to return everything I got (not looking forward to that!). Between my 20% off score & the haul I got at Baby Gap outlet for Brandon...we are set! Yee-hah!

What I got last night:

to go with the striped hoodie & tee

At first I wasn't sure if I really liked this line, but I *love* this purple outfit! So different for Livi :)

For Brandon

to be worn together like this

Minus these particular pants (got him some cute cargo ones at the baby gap outlet) & the backpack. I thought he'd look adorable in these for his 18 month portraits that I need to get done soon.

Fun new clothes!

2006-09-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

Some new outfits I got for Olivia over the last month or so...

Sugar & Spice (from ebay)

My Best Friend (from ebay). The yoga set is velour & looked so warm & cozy, and I thought I matching onesie for underneath would complete the set.

Primrose...just a tee & leggings, but how comfy! I'm planning on getting her another A-line tee & leggings during the next sale too ;)

Outdoor Whimsy...had to do the cute overalls! Nice for the holidays, and she has a hairbow to match already :)

Mix & Match: my mom got her the cute kitty cat jacket, and then I figre the tee & sweater can go with any jeans...although today I found out that they accidentally sold me a onesie that was supposed to go back on the shelf. So, if I exchange that & get some bottoms instead...we'll see :)

Here it is

2006-08-23T00:16:00.000-07:00

My new minivan :)

So pretty! So nice & comfy & spacious & full of areas to keep things. Yay! And I can put the kids in separate rows so I can hop on back & sit by one of them if I need to.

I'm so happy.

I never dreamed I'd get this giddy over a minivan :)

We did it!

2006-08-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

We got a minivan! It's too late to do much other than post a pic from Toyota's website, but I just had to announce it! We totally thought we were going with the Honda Odyssey, but we looked at the Sienna's & fell in love. And I did NOT like the features (or should I say "lack" of features) on the Odyssey.

So now it's official: I'm a suburban minivan mama. Oy vey! At least I'm not a soccer mom....yet!

Summertime

2006-08-05T23:06:00.000-07:00

Mom was so excited when we told her that Dave & Nicole were coming up to meet Olivia over 4th of July weekend. She'd wanted to host a family party for quite sometime, so this was perfect! Unfortunately Dad's new barbeque hadn't arrived yet, but that didn't stop us. We invited everyone!

Dave & Nicole came up with the kids, and Kathy was her for the week anyhow. Dad's cousin Marsha drove over from Roseville, and Brenda came up with her gang from Oakdale. Michael couldn't make it, but his daughter Danielle & her son James accompanied Brenda & Sabrina. It was great to have so many kids together. We didn't even notice that they were there; they were having so much fun! And since everyone wanted to hold Olivia, I was able to enjoy myself as well.

It was a wonderful afternoon & evening and we can't wait to see everyone again.

Under the Sea

2006-07-24T23:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I still need to paint, but here are some pics of the kids bathroom. I know David wasn't too thrilled with me changing the bathroom, and I did love the tropical/palm tree theme we had going, but it's now a kids' bathroom & I thought it should look that way, you know?

It started out innocently enough; we needed "stickies" for the tub so Brandon wouldn't slip. I originally picked up the palm tree ones from PBK. Well...after I got Brandon the sea critters sheets I knew I had to get him the cute stickies. So I went with my mom to exchange the stickies. But the collection was big time on sale, so...

All I have to do now is paint the bathroom, remove the palm tree pics from the wall, & put up the new decos. I got the wallies from this collection at PBK & I'm going to put them on wood plaques painted white & then lacquer them.

yay!

2006-07-24T23:17:00.000-07:00

I did it! I customized my header! I feel so proud of myself!

The Deal

2006-07-20T14:15:00.000-07:00

Well, I went to Gymboree today & did my return (top & socks). They didn't have long sleeve body suits for Olivia because we're a "hot" store. Oh well. Guess they won't get my money...time to order online.

Though it was nice to be able to see the clothes up close & personal, you know? Did change my mind a bit. And I talked to my mom on the way over to the mall & she wants to get Brandon his yellow fleece jacket again. Yay! And even if she doesn't, I still have a $30 credit that I can't use online. And I think I'm going to return something else too (maybe) for another $17-18.

Anyhow, I got this jumper & onesie from the new Pretty in Plums line

And I still got the long sleeved ivory onesie. Mostly for her Cherry Pie jumper once it gets colder.

Then, I was good. I got only stuff on a good sale for next summer. So I paid $5 shipping, $4 tax, and $61 total for the above items (which cost that much on their own) and the following from the Island Fun line:

Liv's gonna be stylin' next summer! And I'll get to order some bows for this as well. But I'll wait on that since I'm sure her hair will be a lot longer next summer. Hopefully long enough for pig-tails!

Happy shopping!

Gymbucks!

2006-07-19T22:34:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I don't have all the gymbucks that I should. But I do have 2 (thanks Kathy!), and I do have a $24.50 return to make. So I can go shopping for some stuff. And then I'll be good & wait (as best as I can!) until the other stuff goes on sale.

But...I do want to get some things! Like this fleece jacket for Brandon. I got him the orange fleece one last year from the Construction line, & it was the perfect weight for all winter. So this year we'll get yellow. Cool. I'm not diggin' the Dig Dig Dig line (ha! pun intended!), so I'll wait to get him more clothes when the new athletic line comes out & goes on sale. Patience....

As for Liv, well, of course I'll have to get her something. I'm not sure which I'm going to get her now & which I'm going to wait for. Darn gymbucks! If I had all of mine I'd be good. This is the outfit I love It reminds me of something I had as a child (I think). The other is a few things put together. This jumper is cute & I like it better than the brown one. I need to buy Livvie more dresses since I can! And then of course the cardigan, onesie, & tights to go with it. And the crib shoes would work with it too.

I can't believe I want

2006-07-19T20:55:00.000-07:00

A minivan.

Yikes! What have I turned into? A mom, and not only that, a mom with two kids. Two kids in carseats. Which makes it very hard to park (both doors have to be able to open ALL THE WAY), and very hard to go anywhere with more than one passenger, as both of my backseats contain a carseat. We do have a third row in our Buick Rendevous, however, you can't fit a stroller behind it (or anything else for that matter), so using it is out of the question.

I'm hoping to get a Toyota Sienna

or a Honda Odyssey

I got to look in Stephanie's Odyssey today after leaving playgroup. Very nice...

GRRRRR!

2006-07-16T23:05:00.000-07:00

I'm so annoyed! I bought Olivia too many cute outfits at Gymboree a couple weeks ago, including the cute cherry jumper outfit I posted. I earned 2 gymbucks, but had decided to return the tee shirt & skirt (total of $46), knowing I would lose one gymbuck. So I put the clothes & receipt back in the bag. I put the Gymboree bag in a PBK bag because I did. And then I put it all in the car. No big deal, I would return it as soon as I could.

David saw the bag in the car last Sunday & made a comment about it, to which I replied it was just returns. On Monday we went to Tahoe, so he took the bag out to make room for everything. The trash went out on Monday night & was picked up on Tuesday. I'm sure you know where I'm going here....

The bag is missing!!!

I have looked high & low for it, and I can only assume that David set the bag in the garage, & then stupidly grabbed it when he took the garbage out! Ugh! And if it's not frustrating enough to have lost the clothes that were to be returned, I had 2 gymbucks in there! And I never put receipts in the bag. The only reason this one was in there was that I had already taken the receipt out of my wallet so I threw it in the bag so I would have it with me (instead of having it in our bill holder).

At least I didn't really need the gymbucks, although I would've used them. But there went $46 down the drain...

Just $30 million...

2006-07-11T21:59:00.000-07:00

I still can't help thinking about this.

At church on Sunday the Pastor mentioned a real estate ad he'd seen during the week. For a lake front home on Lake Tahoe. With 11 bathrooms, and 2 half-baths. For $30 million. Wow. Just wow.

His point was to illustrate what else could be done with that much money. Opening 30 medical clinics in Africa. Providing 38 million children with AIDS meds. Etc.

I mean, I do spend money. On unnecessary things. But I still can't imagine spending that much money on a house when you could do so many other things. And heck, if you're that vain, you could name all the clinics after yourself.

Day Trip to Tahoe

2006-07-10T23:22:00.000-07:00

Yay! David got today off as a reward for working over 4th of July weekend. He said to pick something fun to do, so I picked going to Tahoe. He was a little miffed that I invited my parents too, but having more adults than babies just makes life easier!
Can you see the snow on the mountain tops across the lake? Amazing! I feel so blessed to live this close to something so wonderful. It's awesome living only an hour & a half from this!

We went to our "usual" location: Jason's at Kings Beach. There is a wonderful beach there, and we LOVE to eat at Jason's. We were able to sit outside today, which is a new thing since we're usually there in the summer. Brandon & David splashed in the water & played in the little park there too. I think the coolest thing is that because we always go to the same spot & take basically the same pictures, someday I'm going to have a whole collection of our family chaning & growing, with the shores of Tahoe remaining relatively unchanged.

After spending some time at the lake, we headed back to Truckee. Mom wanted to stop at the cooking store there, and DAvid wanted a caramel apple. I just liked being able to walk around with Olivia & Brandon.

Shameless Gymboree Post

2006-07-09T23:04:00.000-07:00

Okay, I've been addicted to Gymboree ever since Brandon got this cute surfer outfit a year ago. I only let myself look on the boys' side, and was perfectly content to do so, until I found out last Dec that I was having a little girl. I even told my husband not to worry because I wouldn't be spending any more on my daughter than my son...ha! I wish!

Well, the new lines are out! I'm so in love with this outfit! I got Olivia the jumper, onesie, tights, and socks (ivory with cherries). I didn't get her the adorable mary janes, since well, they're rather stiff for a crib shoe. I earned 2 gymbucks on my own, plus I've got one from Kathy. Yee-hah! I can get more stuff with the new lines at the end of the month...hopefully I won't have to neglect Brandon!

Layout Catch Up!

2006-07-09T22:51:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to play catch-up here in getting LO's done, among other things. I really need to stay on top of things here: I'd like to able to share this blog with everyone in our christmas cards, and who wants to go to a link that never updates? I figure I can post all my LO's here, and then I don't have to send them...yeah right! But at least "anyone" can look at them :)

Been a long time baby...

2006-06-10T16:43:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted since the night before Olivia was born (go figure! been a little busy). I could write out everything from the last 7 weeks, or simply say that life has been an adjustment & I've finally had some time to get my scrapbooks caught up. So here goes:

Just 12 hours away

2006-04-20T23:58:00.000-07:00

From having my baby girl! I can't believe that I'm having a baby in such a short time...it hasn't quite kicked in yet I guess. With Brandon I was a nervous wreck the night before & I couldn't even sleep. This time...well, I don't know if I'll be able to sleep (although I'm quite tired!), but that's because I feel like I still have a million things to get done. Oh well! At least my parents are 20 minutes away this time (instead of 2 1/2 hours), so I know they'll be able to help out.

But it's those little things...like, did I pack underwear? Who's feeding the dog tomorrow? Will I remember the camera & memory cards? I have lists everywhere!

And as excited as I am, I'm kind of sad. Our wonderful family of three is about to become four. And Brandon won't be my baby. I mean, he'll always be my baby, but I hope he doesn't seem too "big" once I hold a newborn. We're planning on taking pictures of the 3 of us at my parents' house tomorrow morning when we drop him off. David's not too thrilled that we've got a bunch (in his eyes) to do tomorrow before heading to the hospital. But since I can't even have a sip of water after I finish this glass sitting here, I want to do something in the morning to keep my mind off of not eating.

Well, gotta go & get some of my list done!

Things I want to remember

2006-04-18T23:35:00.000-07:00

At 13 months:
· Still not walking, but wants to! Got his first pair of shoes & started showing A LOT more interest in holding our hands & walking around the house.
· Loves to talk on the phone! Makes mommy call Grandma or Daddy almost every day so he can “talk” to them! And the game keeps going; some mornings he keeps passing the phone back for more “phone calls”.
· Thinks the phone is such a fun toy. At Grandma’s he even erased 2 phone numbers! He just loves to push the buttons to hear it beep.
· “Talks” on the “phone” every chance he gets. The “phone” is usually some kind of hard plastic toy (his toy phone, the remote, a lego block), but has been as simple as a string or his binky. Even just his hand. He started by holding it up to his ear like we do & saying “uh-huh” over & over (turns out I say this a LOT on the phone myself!). Then he graduated to saying “hello” (oh-oh) with lots of “uh-huh’s. And now he starts with “hello” & then says “uh-huh” with lots of other babble. Sounds like a real phone conversation! I also noticed him really watching all of us on the phone, like studying what we say so he knows how to do it. Too cute!
· Words: “dah-ah” for Toby (doggy)
“bah-ah” for Bailey
“wou-wou-wou” to bark (does with the dogs or when you ask him to bark)
“buh-buh” for Big Bird
“ah” with arms up for “up”
“mum-mum” for mommy
has a word for binky
· Knows: lambie, doggy, T’oby, Bailey, bottle, binky, juice, milk, shake (will shake his arm), yay & clap (will clap), dance, bye-bye (waves), family names, “I don’t know” (shrugs his shoulders)
· Loves to dance! When music is on the tv he will start to shake his whole body & dance! Sometimes he claps along too.

Baby announcements

2006-04-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

The next item on my list is to get Olivia's birth announcements as done as possible. That way David can print them for me while I'm in the hospital, and I can get them put together without the chaos of a toddler & newborn at home!

This is what I made for Brandon last year. I've got the same patterned paper for Olivia (in pink of course!), and some matching cardstock. I bought a different album that I'm making for her, but I should have enough to spare for the announcements. I need to check so I can get back to the store just in case!

Finished!

2006-04-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

Well, not exactly, but I've finished as much as I can in Olivia's album before she arrives. One more check on my to-do list for the week. I have until Thurs night/Fri morning to get everything done. So the fact that I've finished her Family Tree layout is a good thing!

My big ole belly...

2006-04-13T23:33:00.000-07:00

Otherwise known as my little girl :)

This layout here is pure plagiarism of BH's layout in the April CK magazine. But it's not like I'm publishing it or anything. I just needed some inspiration! This is the first LO I've finished for Olivia's album.

This one here is for our family album. Almost identical to the one I did for Brandon just over a year ago, that I copied from Donna Downey. I wanted something different, but at the same time I really like how she incorporated her silhouette & her u/s.

One

2006-04-04T00:22:00.000-07:00

I did it! Two layouts in one night! Yee-hah! Only one more to go to finish Brandon's album.

Brandon's 12th month

2006-04-03T23:00:00.000-07:00

Well I just finished this layout, only 2 more until Brandon's album is finished. I'm going to try to get his b-day LO taken care of tonight, but I haven't printed all of the first year pics yet. I'm doing the final LO in his album with one picture from each week of his first year. I've sized them, just need to set them up to print! Still a big task!

Tiki Time

2006-03-17T23:50:00.000-08:00

I took these photos of Brandon on Memorial Day, & I *finally* finished a LO with them! I had serious scrapper's block, & can't even begin to tell you how much paper I bought & didn't use. But I'm done! And I only have two more LOs (Thanksgiving & Brandon's birthday) until I'm caught up in our family album. Yay for me!

Another step closer...

2006-03-16T21:31:00.000-08:00

to finishing Brandon's first year album! One page down, four to go :)

The Friday Four Challenge

2006-03-10T09:12:00.000-08:00

From the GS board at Two Peas:

The Friday Four Challenge.
Four Questions.

1. List the people from your past who you would like to reconnect with through Email.( if only you could find them...)
-Liz Smith--one of my dearest friends in high school that I flaked on the last chance I had to reconnect.
-Alex Davis--college boyfriend, I'd just like to know how he's doing
-Dina Maroudas--another dear friend from high school

2. List the companies you wish you owned.
Hmmm, never thought about this before, I guess Pampers so I could have free diapers, Fisher-Price so I could make some really cool toys for my son, and Nordstroms!

3. List the things you do to defy aging.
-MOISTURIZE!!!
-Sunscreen on my face, every day for over 15 years (scary to think what I'd look like without this!)
-say I'm only 28 (when I'm almost 30)

4. List what you do to snap out of a bad mood.
-Play with my son
-Pea :)
-Scrap

Brandon in a box

2006-03-08T11:14:00.000-08:00

So he got a box of Legos for his birthday, which he loves. But, being a boy, he loves the box they go in even more. Monday night he & David were playing on the floor, and David got distracted by the TV. Looked up & called me in & told be to grab the camera & HURRY! There was my little boy sitting in his Lego box, clapping his hands.

Then this morning he was out in the family room playing, so I decided to take advantage of this & go put some stuff away in his room. I was back there for at least 5 minutes before I thought it was weird that he hadn't followed me back there. After another few minutes I thought it was even more strange that it was so quiet, but since Brandon usually squeals when he's getting into something, I wasn't too concerned. Besides, I had gotten everything done. So I go out to see what' he's up to & find him SOUND ASLEEP curled up on his Lambie in the Lego :) So what do I do? Take a picture of course! Fortunately, that didn't wake him up, nor did me trying to ge him out of the box & into his crib.

Whew!

2006-03-03T21:47:00.000-08:00

Planning for a birthday party is a LOT of work! I got home at 6...it's now 9:45 & I'm just now sitting down (oh my aching back!) and although I'm blogging, I'm really supposed to be addressing a Thank you card (done!) & making a gift list for tomorrow. Thank goodness my parents had to stop by to bring icing tips for me; it meant I had 2 extra bodies to help out. Very needed when I dumped my last 1/2 cup of oil on the counter. Yes, the 1/2 cup I needed for the cupcakes. Thank you daddy! I can't wait until the party though! I'll be sharing my photos sometime tomorrow or Sunday :)

My baby boy

2006-03-03T00:05:00.000-08:00

One year ago today (March 3), Brandon came home. And so it's fitting that I FINALLY finished my layout of him from the hospital.

November layout

2006-03-01T22:50:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally finished my November LO for Brandon's album. Hard to believe I'm almost done with it! It's taken me awhile to do November's because I couldn't find the paper that I wanted to use. Now I only have January, February, 1st Christmas, 1st birthday, and a year-end wrap up & I'll be done. Hopefully I'm caught up by the time this new baby arrives. I just have to order my January paper & figure out the other LOs...no biggie ;)

Brandon turns one!

2006-02-28T21:10:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it was just one year ago today that I had my little boy!

This is my favorite "first" photo of him:

He was so little, 21" & 9lbs, 7 oz. He has his 1 year appt tomorrow, but he's at least 31" & 22 lbs now. My how he's grown!

This is Brandon now, sitting in his new bean bag chair:

And of course one of him with his birthday cake:

Little boy, I hope you've had as amazing a year as I have...and to many more.

Scrapbook Expo!

2006-02-26T20:02:00.000-08:00

I got back late last night from a fun weekend in Los Gatos visiting my sister. We went to the scrapbook expo in San Jose, and then to lunch & shopping in Los Gatos.

First, the scrapbook fun:

My mom, sister, & I found these fun "books" to create. I'm doing a "I Hope You Dance" girl one for Olivia. And "A little boy's will is as the wind's will" for Brandon. Besides that I liked how they looked, I thought the quote for Brandon was too appropriate!

After that we stopped by the SEI booth, where we found some fun LOs to copy. Yeah, I'm not too creative on my own. I can use a BH LO design & use my own paper, or I can fully copy (I won't lie & say scraplift, I fully copy!) someone else's. Sometimes it's just a lot easier to copy. And these LO's work great for me!

This Twitterpated LO will be perfect as "Doggy Love" with Brandon & Bailey. Sadly, Bailey won't be around for too many more years, and I want Brandon to be able to look back & at least remember thru pictures & my scrapbooks about the relationship they had.

Sweetie will be perfect for my new little girl. I'm thinking that it can be for my belly shots & ultrasounds OR for a new baby LO in our family album. Not sure, but I really like the colors & the look of the B/W photos. I may use this more as inspiration, but I did buy the papers :)

I also had Kathy take pictures of the Softy LO. I bought the pack of papers last year before Brandon was born, so I have a few left. I wanted to pick up a couple more sheets that I used on this LO of Brandon, so I can do it again for Olivia.

I also really like the LO featured. I have the paper already, but I'm thinking it could work for one of her early LOs in her album.

After all that fun (we spent FOREVER at the SEI booth), I headed back over to check out the new Basic Grey. I'm late to that bandwagon, and I wouldn't say I'm addicted, but I'm getting drawn to it! I especially like the new sets, but I was good & only got the new Baby Girl collection & monograms.

Unfortunately, once I got in the car to go home I realized "olivia" has 2 "i"s & if I want to spell her name out I need another set. I guess I'll deal with that later:)

Unfortunately, there was no KI Memories to be found! I'm on a mission for this album and a couple sheets from the My Guy line. Again, I know I'm late on the bandwagon, but I didn't know I was even having a girl until December. And trust me, I was looking for this album before then. At least it's available online. I just wish I didn't have to pay shipping.

Once we left the Expo, we all headed back to Los Gatos for lunch at Willow Street Pizza. I've now eaten there twice in the last month, I think more times that I'd been there previously! It's so nice having Kathy live right there off of University! Mom wasn't feeling well, so we took her back to the apartment & Kathy & I headed out to shop. We didn't buy anything, but we had a great time! And it was so nice to have Brandon at home so I didn't have to deal with his impatience & stroller!

Just one more picture

2006-02-23T23:05:00.000-08:00

I just ran across this after I posted a few minutes ago. I just love how Brandon looks in polo shirts...so glad it'll be warm enough tomorrow for him to wear one again :)