A Little Scrappy love :)

So I've done a lot of scrapping this past week. I've come up witha few mini albums that I really like. And for once..... i didn't have to kill myself over them! I'm not a mini album person, but these worked out well I think. The first one is the new Slider Mini Album from Piggy Tales. The little "windows" slide open to reveal journaling. Made will 99% Piggy Tales product.

Now this is the one I'm really excited about. My friend Leah- over at The Nook has issued a year long journaling challenge. Ok- We all know that i'm not a journaler. I like doing pages that require a title/maybe a little writing, but that's it. Then I got to thinking that I need to start journaling more. My kids will look back and these and want to know some details and I wo'nt be able to recall them. (more than likely). So the challenge is to create a mini album and title it whatever you want. Then for each month of the year, you journal about something specific to your title. It can be whatever you want, it can be handwritten or typed journaling. Just needs to be a mini album primarily of journaling. I thought- what better year for me to take a challenge like this on? I have SO much happening this year, that i think it would be dumb for me to NOT do a challenge like this. I know that come next year, I'll look back at this and be so greatful that I decided to document what happened this year. I'm not going to blurb out the journaling, it's something that I want people to read, notjust hide it for myself. I won't be typing it out here, so if you can't read it as it is in the picture, sorry! I think if you click on the picture - it will open another window and blow it up. And if you want to follow along, join in the challenge with me here or over at The Nook.

I hand made this album. I cut the chipboard to size and wanted it to be a really interactive album, so each page will be a different size with flaps to open and things to look at. Here are the pictures of the album cover and my January page. I'll post each month's page as I get them done and add them to the book.

Happy Birthday Baby

So sad. Time goes by so fast and you wonder where it's gone. I never can figure that one out!

Baby turned 2 today. It was such a wonderful day. We started it out by cleaning up together, then she helped me make her cupcakes, (which i totally should have gotten pictures of, but we were having too much fun), then playing. I tried so hard to get her show me with her fingers that she was 2 now. Yah- couldn't quite get it, but it was way cute watching her try to figure it out.

But we ended the day on the happy note with presents and cake. So here's the lowdown....

she got her presents, obviously couldn't wait to open them. And yes... they are wrapped in christmas paper- so back off.......it's all i had! hahahaha And not to mention that Target had a ROCKIN sale and i got all her gifts for less than $10. beat that WALMART. hahaha (sorry.. personal vendetta) The looks on her face were classic. She LOVED the elmo sweater (thanks mom!) and LOVED her baby. And the shot with her and Boy... well-it was just a classic moment that had to be captured. Then we have the lovely cupcake shots. for some reason, she felt like she couldn't pick the thing up to eat it. And ended upmaking a mess, but it was so funny. Yah- Eat your heart out! Then Hubby was able to capture some moments of me and baby before bedtime. I loved these 2 pics- can def. see that she is my baby huh?!

Happy Birthday Mia..... I love you baby.

Oops- forgot!

I was going to put in the pics of my recent pages. Yes... i actually scrapped. FINALLY.

The pictures aren't the greatest, but you get the idea. These were made using the Jan kit from the Nook. It was another good one, so don't miss out!

Super Cool!

Ok- so I said I'd update with the rest of our vaca story, but that's gonna wait a little longer.

I wanted to show you these cool pictures i took New Years Eve of my brother. He had this package of fireworks that he wanted to shoot off (don't ask me why) but it was pretty funny. I was excited when he said he had sparklers because i had learned how to take those really cool shots of sparkler shapes. that are being made when lit. So needless to say, i got the cool shots, but because it was so stinkin cold outside, i was shivering. SOOOOOO- the shot in general is pretty cool, but my brother and the background are blurry because i couldn't stop shaking! hahahaha.

just thought you'd enjoy. I was so proud of these though- i think they turned out awesome!

Finally!

Ok- so we're back and safe and SO glad to be home. It was a wonderful trip, but as all vacations go- it's always nice to get home. now- my kids would disagree, they're already asking when we're going to ID next. hahaha.

So there's too much to tell in one post, so i'll break it up.

Like I said, we arrived after a LONG day of traveling. It was wonderful to get home and let the kids run loose for a while with all the new toys gramma bought them for the uber cool play room. kind of hard to tell 3 kids who've been held down all day to sleep in a play room and expect them to not play. But oh well- it ended up working out really well.

We were able to spend the day just enjoying each others company and shopping. and lucky for us, the first day we were there, it snowed! and it was a good one too- so of course the kids went outside and had to build a snowman. it was great to finally get some good snow pics! they had a blast- so it was so fun to watch.

we then went to Bear Lake where my parents have a time share to spend the weekend. Although we did have fun, that was also the time that the flu made it's appearance in 2 of the kids and the husband. so needless to say- we left a day earlier than planned. got back home on christmas eve and then I got the flu.

Christmas day came and it was fun. I was still sick so i couldn't enjoy it like i wanted, but it was still a good day. Kids enjoyed all the presents and playing with new toys all day. And of course, we had to spend the day playing games!

So here's a few pictures to show the first part of our trip. I'll be able to scrap a lot of fun things in the next while. So i'm excited about that. Stay tuned for the next part!

I"m here.... really.

We are here in ID visiting family and it's been really fun. But here's our trip in a nutshell so far....
Arrive after a 15 hour travel day, nice rest. Wake up, baby gets flu. go on a mini vacation with fam and boy gets flu too. Oh- and not to mention hubby gets it too. Then we come home early. baby isn't sleeping, day after we get home, i get flu. nasty stuff. still can't sleep. baby won't eat or sleep well. I get over flu, but now have a massive cold. Niece gets flu too.
no one else is sick (knock on wood) Oh- and should i mention that i've lost about 5-7 pounds though? think it's good- still not sure though. lol

ALthough, we did have a fun christmas. guess it was more laid back than what it normally would have been had not some of us been so sick. oh well. things are looking up though. kids have played in snow and went sledding, built a snowman, and had fun with grandparents.

Think it will take at least a week for grandpa and grandma detox to take place once we get home though. hahaha :)

ok- just letting you know i'm still here. I'll post more and pics once i'm feeling like it. lol ;)

Hope ya'll had a Merry Christmas!

Projects

Well- i'm a day late, but i promised i'd show these, so here they are!
These are pages I've done from the new Piggy Tales Flip Book. Totally cool. You can check it out here.



Then I did these using the December Kit from the Nook. Like I said- if you haven't signed up for this yet, PLEASE DO. you won't be dissapointed. These kits are seriously amazing. Stay tuned, i'll be doing at least one more project using this amazing kit!

Tip #1

Ok- for the last post... thanks so much for all the advice! haven't decided what to do yet exactly, but i have plenty of suggestions! So thanks girlies!

Now I've been thinking- somethings are coming up in my life (like moving somewhere and finishing school in 6 months) that has me thinking a lot about simplifying life. I'd like to consider myself pretty clean and organized. I have my share of thigns on the floor and piles here and there, but for the most part, they are only visible to me- behind closed doors. haha
So here's my idea- I'm goign to start posting "tips" on ways to simplify life and things. These are things I've done in that past, things I've heard of and always wanted to try, and things that I just plain need to do. So stay tuned if you want to get some tips. They'll be organizational, crafty, cleaning, fun, etc. you name it.... i'll try and post something for it all.

So my first tip.......
This comes from my mom. And being that we are leaving to go home for Christmas in less than a week- i've been thinking a lot about cleaning and packing. This is one of the best things i think iv'e ever done with going on trips.
When it comes to my kids, you always need to pack extra clothes right? Well I always hated that I'd throw all their clothes into one suitcase and then once we arrived where we were going, it'd all be jumbled and I'd be the one going through it all to decifer what they'd wear and when.
Like I said, my mom did this and thanks to her, I do it too and don't plan on stopping for a long time! (ok- so like get on with it already right? sheesh..... :)- )
WHen packing your kids things (specifically clothes), put a shirt, pants, underwear, and socks togheter and put them into a gallon size ziplock bag. Squeeze the air out of course. then pack the bags. That way- if you have to live out of a suitcase, all you have to do is have each kid pull out one bag and dress themselves! At the end of the day- they put the clothes back in the bag. Now, you know which ones are clean and which are dirty because THEY put the clothes back in the bag. Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy right? Saves a lot of time and effort when it comes to organizing and having the kids dress themselves while on vacation. One less thing to worry about.

Well- there ya go. My first tip. I have a few more up my sleeve, but i'll save them for another day. Maybe when I'm not so tired and need to go to bed. lol


I was able to scrap almost all day yesterday! very excited. I'll be revealing my mini album for Piggy Tales tomorrow and a couple more projects. So fun!

Have I mentioned?

I cut my hair again? I did it about 2 weeks ago. I'm having Love/Hate relationship with it right now.

Loved it when I first got it cut. Then I slowly realized that it looked nothing like the picture that i wanted. THEN, come to find out, I only like it if it's done one way and one way only. So- I'm a one hit wonder folks until it grows out some and I can get it to where I like it.

Here's a pic of the day i cut it. it looked way cute with a headband.. but for some reason- it doesn't anymore. :( and then here's a pic of what i wanted. Honestly.. i don't see a resemblance. I feel like a have a mullet. shouldn't be funny- but it is.

anyway... anyone have ideas?

Day 3: MGM Studios

Our last and final day was the best! We had another great nights sleep (thanks to all the walking and "long days") and packed up some snacks, and headed out the door.

We got to MGM Studios and realized right away that not even half the amount of people were there. The parking lot was not even nearly 1/4 full and the day looked bright. We got to the front, got in the park and headed down the main street.

We decided that since this park isn't known for it's rides.... lol.... we'd try to hit ALL of the shows. Our first stop, Beauty and the Beast. Now being that we saw Nemo on the first day, we had high hopes. And being that I've seen the broadway version of this show, i had high hopes too. I have to admit, i was dissapointed. SO wasn't as good as the broadway version (obviously), but it was cute and the kids liked it a lot. I wasn't warned to bring my good lens, and totally wished i had. but regardless, I got a few good shots.

After that show, we headed over to Playhouse Disney. Oh my word! If you have young kids.. this is an absolute must! I even had fun! Seeing my kids faces was completely priceless! It was a blast. So here's Bear in the Big Blue House. Or as Mia would say "bear bi bu house". hahaha

We then went immediately into the Little Mermaid show. Didn't get any good shots of that, but little girsl just love it. It was ok- was the least enjoyable one fore us. But still cute. Hailey got to see Ariel, guess that's all that mattered.

Then we went over to see the Star Wars things. Along the way we saw Mike and Sully from Monsters Inc., but those pics didn't turn out very good either. :( but it was still fun.

Have i mentioned that we haven't waited in a single line yet? it was AWESOME!

So on to Star Wars. Hailey and Kayleb were BARELY tall enough to go on this ride, so on they went with dad. It was one of those simulator rides, and Kayleb thought the entire thing was real. he can't stop talking about going into space and almost crashing. hahah- Hailey, didn't like it as much. she was covering her eyes the whole time. (surprise surprise)

Then we went to have lunch, and again, yet more hamburgers and fries. (man... i swear i will never eat a hamburger again!) but they sure had some good fruit! ;)

We went through the day hitting thigns here and there, walking around, eating ice cream. We accomplished our second goal and that was Buzz and Woody. So here's the proof of that!

The last and BEST thing of the day was the parade. And the park was decked out in Christmas decorations that were so pretty and this christmas parade was awesome. We sat on the curb an hour before it started, so we had awesome seats! Here's the best shots of the day. aren't they FABULOUS?!?!?! I have to admit that the villians are my favorite pics from this day! and for the first time too- Mia was actually happy the whole day. and here's proof too!

It's pretty sad that out of this enitre trip, this was the ONLY time we saw Mickey and Minnie. Oh well- it was fun anyway.

So there's our trip. Glad it's over, but almost want to still be there too! I know we'll take this vacation again. It will be a long time from now, but it was so fun- can't imagine us NOT going back. Now I have plenty of pictures to keep my busy scrapbooking for the next YEARS. hahaha!

Book Review: Daring Book for Girls

Ok- so check this book out. It was a fun book to read... seriously. When I first saw the book and the title, I was kind of put off with wondering what this book could have in store. I had heard that there had previously been a book similar to this, except for boys. It had done well, so I guess I had no reason to doubt it would be good.

As I started reading, I found myself laughing. It ended up bringin back fond memories of my childhood. Some things that i had actually forgotten! What I appreciated most about this book is that it helps any parent with girls, gear up and help them use their imagination to "play". Takes you back to four square, hopscotch, etc. Remeber back in our day when we didn't have video games and tv and electronic things to entertain us? I hope my daughters can use these games to teach their friends and have fun using their imaginations instead of relying on tv and toys to do it for them.

Another thing.... it's not exactly JUST FOR GIRLS. It can EASILY be applied to boys too. It's not all about dress ups and makeup and looking like a princess. This is more of an imagination guide. Very very intersting and helpful.

This is really a fun book. I'd recommend it to anyone who has kids and wants them to start getting their butts off the couch and having fun with other kids and not relying on THINGS to entertain them. I will be keeping this book in my collection and will be pulling it out in a few years when my daughters are old enough to understand these things and help them use their imagination even more.