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.