Vacation Fun

Well it is Sunday night and tomorrow is back to reality and this girl is so sad!  I got to spend the entire week with my husband and my boys.  We have been on tight budget lately so we actually didn't go out of town but we did do a bunch of day trips.  We went to Fun Land and played arcade games, drove go-karts, and the fun slide.  We also went to the National Zoo.  It was our best trip there since moving to the area, the weather was PERFECT!  It was the perfect temperature.  There were so many animals out.  We also went to Colonial Beach, a place my husband spent a lot of time at growing up.  We got to see the house his Nannie lived in, and the beach he used to crab at.  We also went  to Hershey Park in PA.  It was a ton of fun, we were able to ride a bunch of rides this time.  I finally got my funnel cake.  We did a few things that needed to get done before school starts like clothes  shopping, and haircuts.  Saturday we drove Justin to Delaware to meet up with His Nannie so he could spend his much awaited few days away from Brady.  I have to go back to work tomorrow and I am not so happy about it.  I really enjoyed this week.

Double Digits

Where did the years go, it's hard to believe that we have hit double digits!  Ten years old...you are so smart, funny, loving, caring and so sweet.  You have a huge heart and always are thinking of other people and what you can do for them.  You have always been a good student so we weren't surprised when you were chosen to be in the gifted program at school.  You have really excelled in the program and were retested this past year and made it in again for the 4th grade.  Way to go Justin!  I know you will do so many great things.  I love you with all my heart!

The National Zoo

This is the first vacation we have taken since moving to Virginia.  Life has been so different since we have gotten here, and I don't think any of us are used to it yet.  I am hoping to be able to slow down this week and enjoy one another.  Maybe since we don't have to rush everywhere we go and fight traffic to get there it  won't feel so stressful.  This was a picture from the zoo today, we have been a few times but this trip on a Monday felt so much better.  It wasn't so crowded and it was overcast today so we saw so many more animals.  Oh and we weren't sweating from the hot sun... Tomorrow is Colonial Beach for the day.

Some Scrappy-ness for Echo Park Fresh Faces Campaign

Around & Around He Goes

The top layout was super fun and pretty easy and I love how it turned out. I used the Walk in the Park paper collection for this as well. I used my 2" circle punch and punched four of my favoite pictures of Justin on the tire swing at the park. I then used a few of the different pattered papers that came with the kit. I also used the 1" heart punch and added them to some of the circles to add dimension. I used a few other supplies from my stash including American Craft cardstock letters and a few random buttons. The flower that you see was made from ribbon and glue dots and was super easy to do. The petals came from the sticker sheet included in the paper kit.

April Showers May Flowers

First of all let me start off by saying that I love this picture! This layout is part of my submission for the Echo Park Fresh Faces campaign. I used the same collection that I had on hand, The Walk in the Park Collection. I am still trying to get used to not having a scrapbook store close by. For this layout I used a Jillibean Soup corrugated letters and American Craft cardstock but the rest of the layout I used the Echo Park paper kit. I just love the banner sticker that came with this kit. I made two layouts and a card and I still have a ton left so you definetly get your money's worth. Anyway I hope you love this layout as much as I do! Thanks for stopping by!

Echo Park Fresh Faces

As promised I am posting the the projects that I have completed for the "fresh faces" design team call for Echo Park. This is a card that I created using "the walk in the park" collection. It was an easy card and I was able to complete it in about 15 minutes, give or take a few interruptions by a certain 2 year old. I used American Craft card stock and all of the paper and stickers were part of the Echo Park paper kit. The twine is from The Twinery. The letter stickers are from Sassafras.

I am working on some layout and card designs to submit to the Echo Park fresh face design team call. I will post the finished products just as soon as they are complete. If you are a traditional scrapper or if you are a digital scrapper you should check out their website as well as their blog for great product and design ideas. There newest line splash is so fun and will be great for scrapping all of your summer play dates or vacations. I will keep y'all posted on the outcome.

Look at that Face!

This little boy is growing by leaps and bounds. He most definitely has the terrible two's! I was not prepared for this at all. Justin did not go through this! Brady is into everything... I have been able to take a shower by using the bathroom in the boys bedroom and I would just lock the bedroom door and I would know that he was contained and safe. Well that is not the case anymore...the little bugger now knows how to unlock the door. He is not fun to take to the store to say the least. He cries the entire time if he is in the cart or the stroller because he wants to be free, problem is he does not walk. He has one speed and it is to run. All of these things make Brady who he is and I love him to pieces. I can't imagine what my life would feel like without him. Yes it may be a little more quiet but I will take the noise and chaos. Love you little boy!

More Studio Calico Kit-Layouts

This is such an old picture of Justin...from South Carolina, shortly after we moved there so he was just 3 turning 4 shortly. I loved his haircut in this picture and he was so blond. The title says "growing by leaps & bounds" This picture feels like just yesterday but he is 7 now!

More Layouts

These pictures are from Brady's 2nd Birthday, I again used a Studio Calico kit. (Still have no idea what month it was from)

This layout was made with a Studio Calico kit. I have no idea what month it was from because I have a large collection of kits which I have yet to touch. I love using them when I don't want to have to think. I can just grab a bag and my trimmer and be on my way. Nice and simple just the way I need things to be from time to time. Love this picture...it was maternity pictures that I had taken when I was prego with Brady.

Here are some pictures from Manza's Family Farm. This was before the cold hit here in NY.

Finally a New Post....and a new life!

Well it has been such a long time since I have posted anything, life has gotten in the way again. So much has changed since I've blogged. We are back to NY, "home"! I am still trying to get used to being back and I miss SC weather so badly. I am a southern girl at heart although I never mastered the y'all thing.

Well here we are back in NY, we stayed with my mom for about 6 weeks and finally 2 weeks ago we just got our own place. We are settling in and trying to get organized. Justin started a new school when we got here which had me scared out of my mind. He did great and is getting adjusted pretty quickly. He did break his wrist on the playground after being there for only 2 weeks. He just got his cast off after having it on for 3 weeks. Kids heal quickly, so I was told.

That is 2 broken bones and 5 stitches so far. Lets hope that is going to be it for awhile.

Thanksgiving came and went so quickly. We spent the day with my sister and now its on to Christmas. Justin is besides himself with excitement. Tink our Christmas elf made his arrival this week and I am hoping that the little people in my household take note and are on their best behavior. Oh the things we do to our kids.

Here are a few fall pics to check out because it seems as if I missed an entire season. I am trying to redo my blog a bit because I want to focus on family as well as my scrappin'!

1st Grade

I can not believe that Justin is in the 1st grade! While I was driving to school to pick him up on the first day I vividly remember Kindergarten like it was yesterday... I know it was just last year but I feel like time is flying. I want to remember as much as I possibly can which is why I am a memory keeper. The reason for this blog and the reason I scrapbook are all things I do to try to remember everything I can about my kids childhood. I also do it for them...I want them to know that the things they did in life mattered even when the were only 6. So this is Justin's 1st grade photo. New school supplies, now back pack, new clothes and new sneakers and one happy kid.

Brady at 18 Months

My intention was to do a post on a monthly basis about Brady and all of his new "tricks", but that obviously did not happen so I am going to start now at 18 months and try my best.
What is this little dude up to?
-He will eat anything you but in front of him (today he ate refried beans and rice).
-He is into everything except the things that are meant for him.
-He loves the Ipad and he can actually work it.
-He loves Barney and Elmo.
-He loves music and he can really dance good. He gets that from me. Ha Ha
-He loves to be outside and if I open the front door he will take off.
-I almost don't want to say it, but he is a great sleeper. I put him in his crib wide awake and he goes off to sleep.
-He loves to scream and run around when I put the vacuum cleaner on. Its quite funny.
-He still has those crazy toes.
-He is a great baby or I guess he is a toddler and I am lucky he is mine.

Skater Boy

Justin so desperatly wants to learn how to skateboard and he tries his best and he keeps working at it, no matter how many times he falls. He gets back up and tries again. I just may have the next Tony Hawk on my hands. I know that what ever he tries he will be able to accomplish. He is stubborn and thick headed just like his Daddy....ok maybe his Mommy too (but I don't admit that easily).

Recent NYC Trip!

I wish this picture was taken a little bit closer but it will have to do. The whole idea of the photo was nice so I decided to post it anyway.

Spongebob in the City!

On a recent trip to NY, we left Justin home with his Grammy and he was not so sure about it because he didn't know what he would be missing. Jordan and I decided to get our picture taken with Spongebob just so Justin could see what he missed, he was not happy about it to say the least. Mean I know....I couldn't resist.

Silly Band Mania

Justin's new thing is Silly Bands! He loves them and has received many many packs from his Nannie and Pop-Pop! He also got more on a recent trip to NY from his Grammy. He has recently counted them and has 548. I was proud that he could count that high. Someone is ready for first grade. This picture he is modeling some of what he received and then we realized it was not such a great idea because they were cutting off circulation. What will be the next craze and I so wish I could come up with something like that.

The Gallihugh Boys!

This picture was taken on a recent trip to NY for my nephew's graduation. I had all of the boys together in one place and thought photo op! Well ladies and gents Dillon has a smile on his face, although he is not looking at the computer...but I will take what I can get!