Happy Birthday to my dear friend CHARLENE!!!! HA! Now you're the same age as I am :) I hope you have a great day, but I wish YOU were spending it with ME.

Here are some of the last cards I'll be able to make using The Scrapping Spot's April Kit. I'm fairly certain they have some papers available, but the kit is sold out. This is my all time favorite kit. I believe I've mentioned that. They have their beautiful July kit up now. Be sure and checkout what the design team did with it! Very festive :)

Below is the layout that I completed for July Pagemaps using The Scrapping Spot's May Kit.

Here we have the happy, little campers. They've just returned from Fort Faith Baptist Camp after a glorious time. I was concerned about how Blake would do at camp. Apparently, he had a fabulous time with "tacos" being his favorite part. I find that highly amusing. Nick had a shot at winning the jalopeno pepper eating contest, but only ate 7 as opposed to the winner's 9. I'm still shocked that he even attempted it. I guess it's better than the crickets/worms from last year :0

Here's a photo of the beautiful work my awesome friend, Lori did on my toes. She does the best spa pedicure EVER! I can't wait for my next one. I may actually surprise her and get a color other than red. I hadn't had a decent pedicure in 3 years! I really needed it. I'm currently healing my poor heals with Lori's recommended "Bag Balm." I bought some at the local feed store. I'm on day 2 now.

Today, I got my hair highlighted. I had to have a different beautician do it, because my original girl is on maternity leave. I think she did pretty well. It is REALLLLY blonde. Charlie said it's not TOO blonde. So, I'm assuming he likes it, but didn't actually tell me that. I have to say, it does feel better. I'm not a fan of my dark brown hair. I may, or may not add a photo later.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

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