The older I get...the faster time goes. I can't get over how times flies.

We start this post out with this lovely vision of  "Hobo Hut" awesomeness. My darling 13 year old son, Nick built this. Grandpa Lahr made a make-shift wood stove, which they use to cook food on. Corey, Matthew and Brianna came to spend the day with us. The boys kept very busy cooking and eating in the hobo hut, as well as having a water fight.

What's not to love about Halloween?  It is my favorite holiday to scrap. Kaila went as a Pirate and Blake went as the Grim Reeper. They had the exact same costumes two years ago. It was pretty rainy and chilly when we went trick or treating, but we had fun.

I did these next two layouts for my other website - Nuts About Sketches. Click on the link to see my newest sketch and what the awesome design team did with it.

On a slightly sour note, The Scrapping Spot is closing their kit club effective December 15, 2011. If you wish to get some fantastic deals on scrapping items - zip over there now. However, they will be opening a new messageboard shortly to keep our little community together. It has been an absolute delight receiving their kits each month.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Look at my darling baby boy when he was younger. So sweet are those little cheeks. He's still my lovey, but has a mean streak when it comes to pumpkin carvin'! This is the latest sketch at Nuts About Sketches.

 

Here's something else you must see. This is the October 2011 kit at The Scrapping Spot. It is great! I have so few Fall kits that I just had to get this PLUS extra papers and cardstock. There are a few Halloween items in this kit. The leaves that come with this kit are so beautiful!  Be sure and zip over to The Scrapping Spot to see what the design team did with this.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

I made a couple cards this past weekend for birthdays. I didn't use a sketch for either one, but I did use some stamps for both.

I used a sketch from Sketchy Thursdays for this one.

This is a loving photo of my grandparents with my kids and me. I used a Pagemaps sketch for this one.

I used a sketch from Scrapbooks, Etc. for this one.

I used a Pagemaps sketch for this one.

I did this one for Anna's sketch challenge over at The Scrapping Spot. This sketch was the one Anna did for Pagemaps this month. Go, Anna!

Thanks for taking a peek.

Shawn

Photos from 2007 using a Kristine Davidson (Creative Scrappers) sketch.

Photos from 2006 using a Pagemaps Sketch.

Photos from 2006 using a Pagemaps sketch.

Photos from 2007 - I'm on the right...45 pounds ago - using a Cherie Averill (Sassy 'Lil Sketches) sketch.

 

Photos from 2005 using a Pagemaps sketch.

Photos from 2005 using a Pagemaps sketch.

Photos from 2005 using a Pagemaps sketch.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

The Scrapping Spot has some great challenges every month. I participate every chance I get and I decided to do the September Word Challenge.

Here's my layout using the word DIVA. I also used Sketchabilities Sketch #50.

Thanks for looking :)

Shawn

I'm just updating with some layouts. I will be able to update more regularly once school starts.

I used an old Pagemaps sketch for this one. This is Nick at about 2 1/2.

This is my August Tag Layout for The Scrapping Spot.

I did this for a challenge at The Scrapping Spot. I used one of my sketches for this one.

I did this one for a challenge at The Scrapping Spot and I used an old Pagemaps sketch for it.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to checkout my new design team on September 5, 2011 at Nuts About Sketches.

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