these 2 boys and a pile of fun

This is based on Valerie Salmon's sketch #37 and was a contribution to her blog, "Got Sketch?". I used the great October kit from The Scrapperie.

Journaling:

Time: Fall 2007

Place: under a pile of leaves

People: Ryan & Tyler

Notes: no matter what you're doing, you always have more fun together!

this is 6

Imaginisce papers on this one - another page for Allyscraps.

Journaling:

You loved the dinosaur theme for your 6th birthday party. What a great day!

fall flurries

Another Allyscraps page - all of this gorgeous Reminisce fall line is available in the store there! I had so much fun getting these pics of the boys playing in a GREAT pile of leaves! I really liked the effect of the large photo, even though the kids are a bit blurred.

Journaling:

I used to love fall leaf-jumping, and it seems that the apple – or leaf! – doesn’t fall far from the tree! What a great time on a beautiful fall day. 10-25-07

hayride by moonlight

This is one of my November pages for Allyscraps, and is based on my sketch posted there!

Journaling:

St. Angela’s School had a “family hayride night” at Kerber’s Dairy this year! Daddy had never been there before. Jacob and Kathy went with us, and we also saw lots of other school friends.The boys all fun a blast, and especially liked the corn maze and playground. It was pretty dark by the time our ride started, which made it hard to see much. But, it definitely gave the whole event a somewhat mysterious and spooky atmosphere, as the wagon made its way through the deep, dark woods.After the ride, everybody enjoyed an ice cream treat… while sitting outside in the chilly fall night air!

sharing the moment

Love the Basic Grey Recess! I did this layout to go with a sketch challenge at Allyscraps!

Journaling:

What a big day, and it's so fun to watch the excitement that the two of you share! It's Tyler's first day of preschool at St. Angela's! Ryan has been so eager to finally have his little brother going to the same school that he goes to. And now, the long-awaited day has arrived! It is truly the start of a new era. And Tyler, don't worry - big brother is there beside you, every step of the way. August 27, '07

on the fast track

Scrapdango's November kit - love that Sweetwater, especially the fun chipboard embellies!

Journaling:
One of the highlights of our day at the South Park VIP recreation area – the go karts. Ryan had a blast! There was a kids’ track where he was able to be behind the wheel himself. On the bigger track, he rode shotgun with daddy and they both had a great time.

July 1, 2007

simple fun

The Scrapdango kit again!

Journaling:
You were so excited about Preschool! The day after your first day, you insisted on wearing your backpack around the house (and not much else!), and had a blast playing with your lunchbox.

feeling blue?

Also from the great Sweetwater kit from Scrapdango!

quirky you

I loved working with the November kit from Scrapdango!

Journaling:
Just one of your quirky habits. You have perfected the one-handed-toy-clutching-thumb-sucking maneuver. It’s definitely a uniquely-Tyler talent!

(more than anything) grateful for them

I was so honored to be invited to contribute another layout to Valerie Salmon's sketch blog! This page is for her Sketch #31.

Journaling:
Once again this year, rather than spending two days in the kitchen preparing Thanksgiving dinner, we went out to a restaurant. The buffet at Seven Springs was excellent, as was the view of the mountain slopes from the rear deck of the lodge. The boys’ favorite part, though, was surely the time we spent in the hotel’s game room after dinner. It might not be as traditional as gathering around our own dining room table, but that’s ok. Wherever we are and whatever we eat, the day is about being together and counting our many blessings – especially the blessing of each other. ~Thanksgiving 2006

you are so 4

I loooooooove this Fancy Pants "True"

paper line!

Journaling:
Tyler @ 4 – what a cutie, even if sometimes that sassy 4-year-old attitude takes over. 8-27-07

this boy

From the October Scrapdango kit.

Journaling:
this {boy} defined as
kind
playful
silly
smart
loving
sweet

Here is the sketch!

way to make a splash

From the October kit at Scrapdango. I just love how this turned out! I made the background by "sponging" the blue paint that's included in the kit, and white paint, onto the cardstock.

Journaling:
2007 was definitely the year that the two of you made a big splash in your summer swim lessons at Miss Debbie’s house! Just the year before, I had to stay for your class and get in the pool with Tyler, because he would not go in the water otherwise. This year, he was jumping off the side of the pool – and loving it! And Ryan, who only a year ago was just starting to make progress getting across the pool with a bubble on, was now jumping in without a bubble, doing sit-dives, learning strokes, and swimming the length of the pool on his own! I am so proud of the progress that you both made. I can hardly wait to see what next year will bring!

what a difference one year makes

From the Scrapdango October kit.

Here is the sketch!

too much Thomas?

Love the colors in this My Mind's Eye paper line, from the October kit at Scrapdango.

Journaling:
It’s hard to imagine that you will ever outgrow the love you have now for Thomas the Tank Engine. You can spend hours, it seems, quietly fascinated and entertained, pushing Thomas around the Island of Sodor – often making up stories as you go. It’s so satisfying to watch you enjoy such simple, creative fun.
Tyler, 5-21-07

a few cards from the Scrapdango October kit

Some cards I made with scraps from the gorgeous October Scrapdango kit!

no more pitchkers!

Another one for Allyscraps.com! The papers are Dream Street - Father Knows Best.

Journaling:

Mother’s Day @ 7 Springs and Tyler has had ENOUGH of the Mommy-paparazzi! 5/13/07

Halloween ABC Mini-book

I don't do a lot of mini-books, but this little Halloween ABC book was a lot of fun! This is part of the very spooky Halloween gallery at Allyscraps.com, where they are having a Halloween contest with some AWESOME prizes!

a special bond

Journaling:

For you and Ryan both, the sheer glee in your voice when you see her pull in the driveway, and should "Grandma's here!" says it all. You both have such a special place in your hearts for her, as she has for you. It is, truly, a special bond.

a face full of happy

Another one with my Allyscraps.com goodies! The paper line is Dream Street Delight.

Journaling:
Ryan, sometimes you just seem to glow with happiness! How can anyone look at you and not smile, too?

{determination} is half the battle

I'm so thrilled to be a Guest Design Team member at Allyscraps for the month of September! This is my first layout with the awesome products available there, and featuring patterned paper from the new Basic Grey release, Mellow.


Journaling:
What a difference one year makes. Just a year ago, you still seemed like a mere toddler. Now, you are clearly, a little boy. And so determined that you can do anything you set your mind to – no matter how much it scares your mother to watch you do it.
4/21/07

growing together

Journaling:
The guys work together planting the flowerpot. 5-20-07

along for the ride

Also from the September Scrapdango kit!

Journaling:
Eventually, Tyler will learn to drive the Gator… but for now, he is perfectly happy to go along for the ride! 6.1.07

some cards

Here are some fun cards I made with the Scrapdango kit!

melting away in the summer heat

Another one with that great Scrapdango September kit!

Journaling:
That Chuck, the ice cream man… he’s no dummy! He knows exactly where to find his target market, doesn’t he? A hot, sunny day. The Buena Vista pool. You can count on the fact that, early afternoon or so, you will hear the familiar song from the truck as Chuck turns the corner and pulls up to the fence. Then, stand back and stay out of the way – it’s like a herd of wild buffalo as the kids all race to the window to order their favorite frozen goodie! Ryan and Tyler usually stick with the rainbow popsicles – can’t go wrong with that. A hot day, the neighborhood pool, and the ice cream man. A little slice of Americana, if there ever was one! 6.29.07

just 4 today

This is from the fun September spice kit at Scrapdango!


Journaling:
Can it really be true, my baby is four years old? This was your first big party with your own friends, and what fun you all had! You were so excited to celebrate at Kid Company, and there weren’t very many people there, so it was almost like we had the whole place to ourselves! July 3, 2007

Here is the sketch!

notes to self

Another from the August HSC kit from My Scrapbook Nook.

Journaling:

- Don’t take the easy way.

- Count your blessings.

- Only those who do nothing make no mistakes.

- Life is like a roll of toilet paper – the closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

- Be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.

- Opportunities are never lost – someone will take the ones you miss.

our blessing cup

Another one with the beautiful August kit from My Scrapbook Nook!

Journaling:
The Blessing Cup. A tradition derived from the Jewish Seder meal, and carried on in our Christian faith by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper. After eating, Christ took the cup and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” Matt 26:27-28.

Our church, St. Angela’s, has a tradition of passing the Blessing Cup from family to family. At the end of one of the weekend masses, the family that has the cup and the family receiving the cup come forward and make the exchange. The congregation sings, “Our Blessing Cup is a communion with the blood of Christ.” The receiving family takes the cup home for the week.

When we had the cup, we set it on the table each night at dinner, and Mark read a brief prayer and reflection. The boys loved having the cup in our home, and even though they probably did not fully grasp its significance, they still seemed to sense that it was special and deserving of reverence and respect.

one amazing girl

This is from the awesome Home Scrap Club kit at My Scrapbook Nook, where I am honored to be a guest Design Team member for August!

Journaling:
Our sweet friend Sarah.
Such a kind and special little girl.

May 29, 2007