Bare with me as I jump back and forth out of chronological order, for which I apologize.

First, we have a couple layouts that I did for my sketch website Nuts About Sketches.

Next, we have Nick's reward for getting all A's and B's for the last marking period. It shocked us greatly, becaue the kid just doesn't seem to even try. I'm hoping he turns around this year and sees the benefits of striving for greatness.

Now we move on to our newest addition, Molly. She is our acquired outside cat. I've never seen a can so tolerant. Kaila carries her all over and pets her, etc. She just sits there.

Here's one of my favorite reasons for updating the blog. This is some of our new diningroom furniture. Ah, bliss... We have had the same broken down table and chairs for 10 years. We are so thankful for better furniture.

June 2010 - Our family took an ACTUAL vacation that didn't consist of visiting family. Not that that's not splendid and delightful. We journied to Gordonsville, VA to the lovely Shenandoah Resort. For us it was unseasonably hot, so we spent a lot of time at one of their many pools. Yes...you read correctly..the Lahr's...in pools! It was so relaxing. We also played on the playground equipment, fished, played tether ball, took advantage of the game room, road on paddleboats and miniature golfed. We also took advantage of one of the restaurants they had on the property. We all got a little burnt, with the exception of Kaila for some reason. The kids can't wait for our next adventure next year ;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Vintage Chic Cafe Giveaway!!!!

http://vintagechiccafe.blogspot.com/2010/06/summer-fun-give-away.html#comments

Check it out for further details. There are some gorgeous kits, as well as amazing examples on their blog!

Sketchabilities New DT!

I made the team for a three month term starting in July :) I'm so excited. I only recently came across their blog. They have amazing sketches and awesome examples! Not only that, but they also have a messageboard. And to top it all off, they also run another blog for cards, called Cardabilities. So, if you get a chance, pop on over and take a gander at all they have to offer.

Happy Birthday to my dear son, Blake :) We actually celebrated yesterday. Nick, Kaila and I went to Wal-Mart to purchase gifts and whatnot while Charlie took Blake fishing. We then ate a delicious dinner consisting of deer steak (last package), curly fries, beans and fresh homemade bread. It was awesome! As I do every year, I forced the kids to allow me to take photos. I think I captured some cute moments. After that, Blake was able to open his gifts, complete with a couple gifts from each of his siblings. It was then time for Blake to blow out his candles. Um, I purchased the re-lighting ones. HA!!! That was too funny, but he blew them out so hard they didn't keep re-lighting. They did it once, but that was it. We waited to eat the cake and ice cream, because we were so full from dinner.

Here is the bathing suit I ordered for the summer. I hope it hides what it needs to hide :)
We're taking a mini vacation and there are a couple pools there. I'm fairly certain I should be in the water with the children. Charlie will be in there too, but I'm more comfortable in the water than he is. He got a new pair of trunks and they are adorable!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

We had a gorgeous weekend. You could not ask for better weather.

Friday was gorgeous. The kids had Friday off. So, we took that time to go to Chuck E. Cheese's and to the dollar theater to see Diary of a Whimpy Kid. The kids were perfectly behaved and we had a fantastic time. The movie was good, but we don't plan on purchasing it. We do want them to make the second movie though.

Saturday - we cleaned bedrooms, but aren't completely finished yet. That is a definite chore! It feels good to have this much cleaned though.

Sunday - church, cleaning, Pampered Chef party, dinner, golf cart rides and badmitten :)

My Scrapping Spot kit is getting down to tiny scraps :) I'm having a blast making cards, regardless of how long it's taking to do just one.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Let it be known from this day forward, sickness should definitely not happen to Mothers! How on earth can a Mother get everything done, if she's sick? Answer me that! Plus, who on earth takes care of said Mother??? Another day wasted, but I'm on the mend. So, maybe...I'll accomplish something today.

I'm still widdling down my Scrapping Spot April Kit. I told Charlie I haven't used this much of a kit in months! It's mainly because I haven't actually taken the time, but still. I still have enough for 4-6 cards :)

I'm looking forward to spending all of Friday with the two little ones. Blake has decided he doesn't want to be stuck on a boat for six hours. So, the other guys are going on a Walleye Fishing Trip. Nick happened to win a trip and Charlie's taking his Dad for his birthday. I hope they get a ton! I haven't had walleye in years. I also hope Charlie takes some photos with my good camera, which he'll have to replace, if he breaks it :) :(

So, until next time! Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

What better weather can you ask for than cold and windy with some pelting rain? Blake signed up to participate in Track & Field day this year. I told them we were going no matter what. He agreed. Well, not only did we go, but I didn't dress him appropriately. I felt so bad for him. He had shorts, a t-shirt, sweatshirt and a fuzzy jacket...that's it. He did really well dealing with the less than ideal conditions. He didn't run as fast as he could though, because he couldn't feel his legs. He does want to go back next year. So, that's a good sign.

The lovely photos above are this year's Mother's Day Photos :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Well, I've finally got one...a cold that is. I thought I had made it through another year without a cold, but alas, that is not so. I woke up at roughly 1:30 a.m. with a nice open faucet. It's a good thing I have kleenex on my bedside table. Needless to say, it's slightly annoying. I ask you, "Do I have time for this?" That would be a big, fat, "No!" My sense of smell isn't up to par either.

Today's agenda consists of a meeting at the school with Blake's Speech Therapist and a very little "photoshoot" in New Castle. After that, I'll be having extra children over tonight for Nick. Blake gets to go to a friend's and I'm not sure where Kaila will be, if anywhere other than here. Oh, the baking of bread will be in there somewhere as well. And, if I were in a "giving" mood, I would actually put all the laundry away for my darling husband - LOL!

Here is a photo of my darling daughter, Kaila from this past Monday. She had made a bridge with the warriors at the top of the hill. She requested this photo be taken. Cute, huh?

Here is another layout using The Scrapping Spot's April Kit. These particular photos are from September of 2006.

Now that I've practically obliterated this kit, I'll be tearing into the May Kit shortly.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

The school year is winding down, with many activities on the schedule. We've had music programs, a band program and the near future holds a Meeting, a couple Field Days, Blake's Birthday, Kindergarten Graduation, Field Trips and a Fishing Trip for the guys of the family. I was informed that I only have 20 days left of freedom...I mean...that there is 20 days left of school for the lovely children :) We've recently had gorgeous weather, which is a pleasant change and makes me want for Summer all the more.

This lovely kit below is The Scrapping Spot's April Kit. Granted, the May Kit is just about ready to be shipped, but I only have so much time. This kit is gorgeous. They are slightly different colors than I'm used to, but so fun. The yellow alphabet that I used was purchased elsewhere.

It's time to go wake up the kids and start this beautiful day.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Furnace/AC update: They have been here for 3 full days. Well, HE, Don has been here for 3 full days. He's very nice and works like a dog! There are some additional challenges with the installation of this system due to the construction of this old farm house. We're still holding on to the possiblility that the builder of this house was drunk when he built this house. Needless to say, Don has been here longer than his employer hade anticipated. I believe he's making great progress and should finish up completely tomorrow. We do actually have heat, so we're not freezing. Oh-so-thankful for that :)

I thought I'd share a couple photos of one of Nick's favorite dishes, chicken pot pie. The child was thrilled when I was preparing it, complete with a homemade pie crust - yum!









Thanks for stopping by!

I should have more photos from Blake's music show last night. It was soooo stinkin' cute!

Shawn

Charlie and I went on our first mini-vacation since 2008 without the kids. We decided to scope out Hershey, PA and everything it has to offer for a future trip involving the kids.

Let me just tell you how much there is to do in Hershey! It is an absolutely beautiful town. They really pride themselves on cleanliness and friendliness. We could have not asked for nicer weather. We took advantage of Houlihan's Restaurant and The Chocolate Story Museum. Houlihan's was good, but not great. The Hershey Story was loaded with information on the town and Milton Hershey himself, along with some of the other big names in chocolate. Here are just a few shots of that aspect of our trip, as well as the villa we stayed in.

We can't wait to take the kids to Hershey to experience everything else the town has to offer. Top on our list is ZooAmerica and Hershey Amusement Park, but there are many more activities than just that. It really is a town for families.

My layout below is the layout I did for my sketch blog this week. Check it out, along with all of the other Designers' creations. It is really neat to see other peoples' interpretations of the sketch.

Thanks for stopping by.

I hope to have more to share with you later.

Shawn

We finally have our new computer up and running with the internet. Windows 7 threw Verizon for a loop, but it works and that's all that matters.

We had a gorgeous Easter at my parents' home in Michigan. My Mom made roast beef, which I've been craving forever! I had to stop from stuffing myself! Soooooo yummy! I was able to play Scrabble with my Mom and Sister, which is always such a treat - made sweeter still by my winning a couple rounds :) Charlie came with us, so that was even a nicer trip.

Volleyball ended fantastically. We made it to the finals, which we have never done before in this league. Nevermind that Char and I were unserimoniously "booted" off the team we had played for for four years. We beat them in the semi-finals :) No, we didn't take the title, but it was still sweet.

My elbow is hopefully on the mend. It was killing me for the last month or so of volleyball. The Doctor said I have lateral epicondilitis. I have to do exericises, wear a brace, ice it 4 times a day for 20 minutes each and massage it. So, I get a free pass to sit for at least 80 minutes a day :) If, after all of this, it doesn't show signs of improvement...surgery.

Nick took his hunter's safety course last week and passed. He was bored the entire class. Everything was just "common sense" he said. At least Kyle was there to share in the pain of it. Now, he's good to go! And I say, "Bring on the meat!"

We have a guy coming tonight to give us a quote on a new furnace and AC unit. Can I just tell you how excited I am about that? WAYYYYY excited :) Charlie doesn't like to sweat either. He has a hard time sleeping when it's so hot.

I've been participating in the April THAW challenges over at Willow Traders and am having a blast. I love the thought of having an actual deadline to get these done. I've been trying to schedule at the very least, an hour a day to scrap. I also have been trying to use up my older kits from The Scrapping Spot. I used the same kit for these four layouts. This kit is just about done :)

Anyway, I'm off to awaken the children to kick them off to school for 7 hours.

Thanks for stopping!

Shawn