Favorite Photos of 2010

Here's a few of the photos I loved this year in no particular order.  Caution:  This is photo heavy!

Going to the store with his list.

He fell asleep roasting marshmallows.

Waiting for the Garbage Man.

Overkill?

We had a great year.  Happy New Year to you!

SantaPictureLayout

MWExpress November 2010

This is last year's Santa picture, hence the crying.  I love the November MW Kit.  Lot's of pretty papers to use.  I can't believe that this break I've done no scrapbooking.  I've been concentrating my efforts on photography.  

Can you believe the year is almost and end?  I'm excited for the new year ahead.  In the words of my Mother-in-Law there will be many changes coming up in the future.  For me, some of them will be good and some will be sad, sad, sad.  And some of them will be bittersweet.  I think for sure that I will be losing my little puppy, Beamer.  She's 15 years old.  I've had her since I was 15.  Her arthritis is getting horrible.  We took her to the vet yesterday because she could barely walk.  I thought for sure they would put her to sleep, but the vet gave us some medicine to try.  If this medicine doesn't help, we cannot let her go on any longer.  On a brighter note, there are many things to look forward to.  Embarking on a new year is an exciting thing.  

Enjoy your day!

Trying out my photography skills

The same photo as above, just with a little different affect.

I love this photo of Maddie...it's artsy but I absolutely love the look

I would like to thank my friend, Shanna, for letting me share the beautiful photos of her youngest daughter.  They were simple snapshots that I took this spring.  I think they turned out so well.  Now, I think I love photographing babies.  How could you not love her beautiful face?  I have a few goals for 2011 and one is to share my photography with you.  I have a serious passion for it.  It's been something that I've loved for many, many years.  Scrapbooking and Photography go hand in hand. 

I would appreciate any feedback.  Also, if there is something you are interested in learning, please let me know.  I am HAPPY to share.

Christmas Pictures

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day (there were more but the kids were in their undies for most of them)

We had such a wonderful Christmas Holiday.  It was our turn to host my husband's family at our home on Christmas Eve.  We had a Cajun themed event to honor the cajun side of the family.  There's the head cajun, Erik's grandfather...in the middle of the first collage.  We had Shrimp and Crab Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Crawfish Etouffee.  Erik and I wore our cajun attire.  The shirt I'm wearing has Erik's Great Uncle Deo on it.  

Christmas Day was a quieter event.  We hosted my family, as we do every year.  My grandfather was able to join us.  My brother, Josh, and Wolfie built Lego stuff for the entire day.  Well, Josh built the Lego stuff while Wolfie "assisted."  I think that Josh buys the kids Legos so he can build/play with them.  That's just a theory.  My brother still has his Lego sets from when he was a kid.   

I'm still in the middle of trying to put everything away.  It looks like Santa's workshop blew up in my house.  So, I'll be working on that and laundry for the next few days.  

Merry Christmas...and Our Santa Picture!

Success!!!  No one is crying in this picture.  Do you see that?  Do you?  This is the first picture in 6 years that no one has cried!  It's a Christmas miracle.  Okay, not really.  JoJo was afraid of Santa.  He did refuse to sit in his lap.  Hence, he is sitting on the arm of the chair.  I also wanted to point out that JoJo is wearing no shoes.  We forgot them.  So I guess the picture isn't perfect.  We'll have to wait until next year to try again.  P.S.  Did I ever tell you how much I hate shoes.  I mean I seriously hate them.  Why can't we can't keep track of those things?  You may remember this rant  here.  (it's only a portion of the blog post)

Anyway, I do so wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas!

I will probably not post tomorrow and Christmas, we'll see.  I have a lot to do since I, the procrastinator, have done nothing.  We're finished with the shopping finally.  But guess how many presents are wrapped.  Zero.  This shall be interesting.

Merry Christmas!

Update for Olga

A few days ago, I mentioned the little girl Olga (on the left).  So far over $12,000 (in a week or so) has been raised for her adoption fund.  Several families have also come forward showing interest in adopting her.  There is a second fundraiser and giveaway here...On the same blog.  This is for a little girl named Kareen (on the right).  You can find more information at that link I gave you.  This time, they're giving away an iPad to one lucky person that donates.  Please pass on this information.  Your generosity can really make a difference in these little girl's lives.

SnowDay Layout

American Crafts Cardstock and Letter Stickers, Cosmo Cricket ribbon and chipboard

These pictures were taken last year.  We got a lot of snow.  This year, we are very far from snow.  Tomorrow is supposed to be 68 degrees.  Ridiculous.  I am so unprepared for Christmas.  I still have a little bit of shopping to do, and a lot of wrapping.  Hope all is going well in your neck of the woods!

Celebrating the Season: Christmas Tree Pictures

Our living room...please excuse the ugly recliner

The day we decorated the Christmas Tree

Hi there.  Here are a few pictures of our Christmas tree.  Don't you just love the elk in the top picture?  And in answer to the question about the 2nd picture...yes, my kids are usually in their underwear.  I can't make them keep their clothes on.  

Maddie has strep throat.  I took him to the doctor today.  He didn't feel well this afternoon at school.  He didn't want to eat any of the party food at school.  He doesn't have a sore throat, which is strange.  Tomorrow is my last day at work.  I'm taking a half day.   Then, I'm off for two weeks.  Yeah!!!

Celebrating the Season

Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park

Mesilla Valley Bosque

Wolfie throwing a stick at Mesilla Valley Bosque

Last night we celebrated the 2nd anniversary of the the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park.  It is a beautiful place to see birds, and to appreciate the Rio Grande Valley.  I love the state I live in.  I'm proud to share in it's heritage.  Last night, we were entertained by NMSU Choir, a group of Matachines (to celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe), and some Mariachis from NMSU.  These are just a few of the photos.  I can't wait to go back and take some more photos there.

We did some Christmas shopping today.  We're not done...not by a long shot.  At least, we're making headway.  I hope your holiday plans are going well.   Well, I'm just hoping you have more done than I do :)

I did get some scrapbooking done this weekend.  As soon as I get the layouts photographed, I'll post them.  My little Maddie is sick today :(  I hope you all enjoy your evening.

Please Help This Little Girl

I read this post today The Most Important Post I've ever written  Please follow the link.  It's about a girl named Olga with Down Syndrome.  She needs donations for her adoption fund.  The total yesterday was $72 and today is now over $3000.  Every little bit helps.  If you visit the blog, you will find that Patti is offering a free iPod to one lucky winner that donates.  Please spread the word.

Today has been a rough day.  I found out that one of the kids that attends my old school.  He's in 3rd grade...has cancer.  It has spread throughout his body.  I don't know much else about the situation.  This with the information last week that one of my HS friends has a niece with a tumor on her brain stem.  She is 19 months old.  Because there was no place to treat her in our state, they went to TX and now insurance will not cover her treatment.  Please hug your children tonight, and say a little prayer for these sick little kids.

Thanks...and sorry for the depressing post.

Christmas Card

Supplies are from the November 2010 MWExpress kit.   The tree was a .png file I shared the link in the previous post.  I changed the color and size in photoshop.  Then I printed it on American Crafts Cardstock.  I think you can do the same thing in word, but I'm not completely sure on that.

I'm going to be a busy girl today.  That is if I can get off of my butt and get busy.  I have to do a ton of laundry.  I need to make a bunch of Christmas cards.  Time is flying at incredible speed.  We still need to finish our Christmas shopping.  EEKS!  

I'll continue sharing my cards as I finish them.  Have a great Sunday!

New Card Sketch

Here is the card sketch I promised.  The only part I didn't design was the Christmas tree which you can find here:  Christmas trees

I will be back either tomorrow or Sunday to show you my own version.  Enjoy your evening.

P.S.   If your interested, I have the .psd file.  Email me if you need it.

December MW Express Kits

Memory Works Ideas Express

Beautiful, vintage goodness!  I love vintage papers.  Please go to my website to order.

I'll be back tomorrow with a card sketch.  

Tis the Season

Supplies are from Memory Works Express November 2009

This was a layout I did about a month ago of Maddie and JoJo decorating the Christmas Tree last year.  Sorry for the very fuzzy image.  We did manage to put up most of our Christmas decorations up this weekend.  I'm off to work tomorrow, after a week off.  I have been soooo lazy this break.  I did get some stuff done, but I just needed time to do nothing.  We are always so busy so it was nice to slow down.  We had Thanksgiving at my dad's house.  I got to see my brother Kriss for the first time in a year.  He had been working in Louisiana for the past year.  It was nice.  

I went for a walk/jog tonight.  I love the smell of smoke in the air from everyone's fireplaces.  There a few Christmas lights that have been put up.  I'm excited for the holidays.  I have a few more Christmas cards finished, but I'm not sure which ones to share.  I'm thinking about trying out for the Memory Works Design  team.  We'll see how it goes.  I'm just not going to put pressure on myself.  

Well, I guess I'm off for the evening.  The boys are eating ice cream, and it's almost time for baths.    

I am Thankful...

...for cinnamon rolls on a vacation day...

...for steaming cups of coffee...

...for three turkeys wearing their Thanksgiving hats...

...for my camera to record all of the action...

...for my children who drive me insane somedays, but most days fill me with incredible joy and happiness...

...for my husband whom I love more than words can say.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.  Blessings to you and yours.

My Goal

Look at my little Wolfie.  He looks so sweet and  innocent.  Most times that is the case.  The other times, he's more stubborn than a mule :)

Moving on...it is my goal to inspire you with this blog.  I want you all to be better scrapbookers, memory keepers, photographers, or whatever you may want to be.  That is what I really, truly want for all of my readers.  Yesterday, I found some really great blogs/websites and I want to share them with you.  I'm sure some of you may have heard of them, but this was the first time I've seen them.  So here you go:

The Coffee Shop Blog

If you have Photoshop, or Photoshop Elements this is an awesome site.  Every single action and template that Rita designs is FREE!!!  That's right, free.  There are tons of beautiful actions available. 

Every Day Elements

This website has some free actions.  It features tons of free video tutorials for using PSE.  Amanda also offers classes and workshops for those of you that are interested.  

Write.Click.Scrapbook

What a really neat website.  There are tons of freebies on there.  They range from digital elements to downloadable tags, boxes, etc.  There are tutorials for projects.  Today there are a bunch of free Christmas downloadables.  

Simple As That

Rebecca Cooper has beautiful photography on her blog.  Not only that but she offers photography challenges.  There are crafts for kids, and general craft ideas on her site.

1825

This is a really beautiful website.  The site is run by three sisters.  They have tons of project/craft ideas.  They also feature tutorials and downloads.  

So there you go.  I hope you find these websites/blogs helpful.  I'm being rather lazy today.  I will finish up laundry, but I'm going to relax.  I think that we (me and the kids) really needed this break.  A time to veg and be lazy.  I'm getting some crafting done.  Yay!  

I should post tomorrow.  I don't know what, but I'm going to try and make a week of it.

Gearing up for the Big Day

June MemoryWorks Express Kit

Hello there.  I made this card for my husband.  It was his birthday yesterday.  I really love him very much.  I am so lucky to have a wonderful man like him in my life :)  He really makes me happy.  The picture isn't that great, sorry.  We switched coffee, and now I'm all jittery from it.  I couldn't hold the camera straight.  This was the best of the photos I took.  I hate being jittery.

Okay that being said.  Today is a cleaning day for me.  Yesterday nothing was done around the house.  We weren't even here for the entire day.  It all started when the electricity went out.  I was blow drying my hair before church and all of the sudden everything went off.  Electricity was out for about 2hours.  Since we couldn't cook we had to go out for breakfast.  Then, Erik and I did a bit of shopping and had lunch together.  We didn't get home until about 7 pm.  In this time frame, my house went from 0 to 100 on the messiness scale.  With 100 being the highest number available.  The dogs made a nice contribution to the mess as well.    

We're getting ready for Thanksgiving around here.  I wanted to share this recipe with you.  It is for Wild-Rice Pilaf with Cranberries and Pecans.  Let me just say that this is an excellent side dish for Thanksgiving.  I hate/despise cranberries.  However in this recipe they are Wonderful!  I also am not a big fan of nuts in my food.  Again in this recipe they are Wonderful!  I am providing you with the link to this recipe.  It is from Martha Stewart's Living.  Follow this link.  That way you can print it out for yourself, rather than having to copy it down on paper.  I swear, your family will rave about this recipe.  Oh, and last year I couldn't find wild rice.  The one jar I found was about 1 cup and it cost $8.00.  So, I just got a wild rice mix instead.  It worked just fine.  Maybe in your neck of the woods wild rice is not so expensive.

Things I Hear

This house is a loud house.  It's full of boys and dogs and a cat.  If you listen to all of the chaos, these are some of the things you might hear:

*Dad, let's wrestle.

*Chase me

*Get me

*I need to go pee (which if you've been waiting for three years for this to happen, it can sound quite magical)

*I'm hungry

*I'm thirsty

*Can I have a popsicle?

*Can I have some baby oatmeal?

*I Wuv you, Momma

*I spilled it

*Where's the ipad?  (How is that thing so hard to keep track of?)

*Let's read

*Carry uh me

*Wolfie it's time to jump on the trampoline for a long time

*I say Amen

*Hitting, yelling, and screaming...in no particular order

*Maddie you're a t-a-t-t-l-e-t-a-l-e.  Wolfie I know you said was I was a tattletale

*Wolfie how do you spell....?

And of course after the 5th "I have to go to the bathroom", "I need more water" "GOTOBED" and all is silent and dark...it's so quiet and peaceful.  But, I'm ready to wake up and hear it all again.  I love my crazy, wild, loud, life.  I AM happy.

Goodnight, dear friends.  What are some of the things you hear in your house?