Wow...yeah...well, I know it's been AGES since I've posted. So, I'm just going to post some of the things that have gone on since June 7, 2013 and I'll have to strive to do better in the future.

I am going to start with my daughter's beautiful POST-BRACES smile :) We are hoping she doesn't need a second phase. So, she is brace-free for a couple years anyway.

Next we have a relaxing photo of myself catching some rays on our dock...

 

Low and behold...a tad too much sun.

 

 

Oh, look! We actually got to go out for July 4th this year. I tried really hard not to be sick like last year.

 

 

 

These are kids from our youth group that went on the mission trip to Traverse City, Michigan. We picked Nicholas up on the way ;)

 

Our fearless leader and I snapping some fun photos before our work week began.

 

These are the kids at Sleeping Bear Dunes on our free day.

 

Here is Nicholas and I after we had eaten our delicious BK meal.

 

Who do we have here? Why that would be Stephanie (Sherrie's daughter), Sherrie, Me and Violet (Sherrie's mom). As always we had fun spending a little time together this summer. It wasn't nearly enough time, but we're hoping to change that next year.

 

 

Sherrie and Me...

 

Here is Blake just minutes after getting his braces removed in July. His gums were a bit swollen, but did calm down after a day or so.

 

 

 

Here are a couple layouts I did this summer.

 

Nuts About Sketches sketch...

 

 

 

 

 

I used a Sketchy Thursdays sketch for this one.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to have another update soon!

 

Shawn

Charlie and I had a delightful fourth of July weekend. We opted to stay at the George Carroll House Bed and Breakfast in Erie, PA, as well as watch a couple fireworks at Waldameer Park. Prior to that, we ate at The Longhorn Steakhouse, which is by far our favorite restaurant. Everything was delicious!!!

While we were waiting for the fireworks at Waldameer, Charlie took a little nap and that's when I snapped this photo. I thought it was cool that he was wearing an American flag shirt while we were holding hands.

I was lucky enough to be able to participate in The Scrapping Spot's 7th round of Layout Tag. My challenge was to make my own patterned paper. These are pictures of my darling daughter, Kaila and my niece, Katie when they were b

There were numerous preparations made for our mission trip to Bluffton, South Carolina. It was a delightful trip, the kids were great and we got a lot of work done. We went to the beach on our free day, which was Nick and my first time to the ocean.

Here's my work group consisting of 4 girls and 2 boys, as well as myself. I have never seen so many teenagers work so hard with little complaining in all my life. I was very impressed.

This picture was taken by the staff that came and visited our site with Yellowyah (seen above). It was beyond hot, as you can see.

This photo was also taken by the staff at Nick's site. I think he spent some time catching lizards, which were quite cool-looking.

Kathy and I are sitting at The Sipping Cow waiting for our made-to-order food with all the kids. FYI - I have no eye make-up on, because we were heading to the beach after eating.

Here is Nick walking into the ocean for the very first time a little leary of sharks.

Here are my feet...touching the ocean water for the very first time EVER!

Last, but not least...a card I made for my cousin Elise's bridal shower last Saturday. It's based on a layout sketch from Pagemaps.

Here is my finished bathroom :)

Thanks for stopping by and making it through all this :)

Shawn