Happy New Year

Well it is not new year just yet but I wanted to share a couple pictures from our WONDERFUL christmas we had this year. Ashleigh had a HUGE christmas receiving lots of toys and gadgets. I also had a HUGE christmas giving myself a Wii. I have been playing pinball non stop and am having hand cramps ;)

We have had such a blessed year and look forward to what 2010 will bring.

Loree

The new man in my life

Every year, the ladies in my office participate in Secret Santa. This year I was shocked when I open my office door and find this....

a life size cardboard cut out of Edward Cullen from the Twilight movie. Every time I look at it I just crack up!!!

Tea Party

I went to Christmas Tea with some good friends this past Saturday. We had a blast as usual and everything was excellent. I was looking at the pictures and thought I would look at last years again. I was amazed at how different I look and thought I would share.

ICE at the Gaylord Resort

We went to see the ICE display at the Gaylord Resort on Saturday. Everything in the room was ice. They even had a slide made of ice. It was so cool to see the talent the ice shavers exhibited in making this wonderful display.

Parent Teacher Conference

So we had Ashleigh's parent teacher conference this past week. I have not been posting lately due to work but I did want to share. Her teacher said Ashleigh was reading above her level. She jumped a level over the summer which is uncommon. I guess those trips to Borders to spend her savings on a book have really helped her stay interested in reading. We will continue to encourage her since I firmly believe reading is the pathway to success.

Her teacher also mentioned Ashleigh has a healthy self concept (I guess that is their buzz word), self confidence and self esteem. I could have told her that. I would rather that than a terribly shy introvert child like David and I were. She has plenty of friends which I think is good for her.

Her only issue is that Ashleigh does not get her work done timely. She gets distracted and frequently has to finish work up later. I know Ashleigh HATES to write so that slows her down.

All in all I think Ashleigh is doing great in second grade and will continue to thrive!

Autumn idea

I saw this on the Spellbinders blog. I just love how they use these dies to create such wonderful designs. I liked this especially since it is Pumpkin Patch time of the year!

http://spellbinderspaperarts.com/blog/celebrating-fall/

I know this is a card but I like to use cards as inspritation for accents on my layouts. Check it out.

Tips from my video collection

So I am watching the latest Creative Keepsakes video. I have heard a couple great tips. See below:

1. Use plain emery boards to sand and distress. They are easy to use and my favorite part CHEAP!
2. When gluing paper, use clothe pins as cramps to hold the paper down while it dries. I could have used that when making my disney mini albums on the edges!

Well, everyone is up now so I am going to sign off.

Scrapaddict

Awesome news!

Yesterday we went and had Ashleigh's VCUG done. We got the great news that her reflux had corrected itself!!!! Basically she grew out of it. David and I are so relieved. It is horrible every year to see her wake up from the gas in pain and disoriented. Those tears break our hearts every time but at least this year we got to tell her she did not have to do it again.

Ashleigh told David this morning that the gas smelled like "skunk peed on bubblegum." I think that is probably a fairly good description of what the gas smells like.

So this means no surgery, no more VCUGs and no more antibiotics!!!!

Doodles doodles everywhere

I found a book at Joann's a couple weeks ago and am now doodling like a fool. I am doodling anywhere and everywhere. I am getting better but certainly need more practice.

Fun at the circus

Ashleigh and I went to the circus with our good friends last night. Ashleigh had so much FUN! She is ready to go back. I had a blast watching her watch the show. I also still can't get over them putting 7 motorcycles in that steel ball. Unbelievable to watch. It was definitely an experience.

Talented

I follow this blog www.sarahiscrafty.com/craftysarah/ and believe she is truly talented. Check out these layouts.

Cool cool idea!

Check out this link for a cool cool idea!!

http://hollysimoni.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/06/teacher-monogram-gifts.html

Rocking Out!

When I got home from work, Ashleigh told me she had her rock star outfit on. I of course had to take some pictures. She then started to ham it up for the camera. I just love my silly girl!

I did notice that Ashleigh now has freckles on her cheeks. I think they are so adorable. Of course, I could be partial since I have freckles all over! Ashleigh is just growing up so fast. She turns 7 tomorrow and I just can't believe it!

Bummed

I am bummed that I have not been able to do much scrapping since I had surgery on my right hand. However, I have some pics for inspiration.

Cricut Expressions

I got this machine at Christmas. It has the ability to cut 24 inches. Yesterday I finally got it out and started playing with it. I know, I know six months later but I have been busy with other projects. Anyway, I only had two cartridges - Indie and school - but they were enough to keep me cutting for a couple hours. I got out some old patterned paper from a kit I had bought and got to playing.

Don't you just love the skull. David said the following when I showed it to him, "Crop or die". I thought that was pretty funny. So I then cut letters out and put them with the skull on a 12x12 sheet of black paper. I am going to hang it in my scrap area. David mentioned that there is a store where you can make your own t-shirts and totes with an image. We just might have to do that!!

I think the butterfly is way cute too. It is about 8 inches so pretty tall. Once I got to playing I found the possibilities to be endless. Brackets, scallop borders and more to be cut. Now I must say that I still love my Quickutz. But when I want something really big or different, the machine will be the way to go.

Great quote

I saw this quote on a blog I follow and wanted to put here. I totally will use this one day!

Mother is not a person to lean on, but the person who makes leaning unnecessary.

Dorothy Cornfield Fisher

Career Day

So last week, Ashleigh's school let them dress up to show what they wanted to be when they grew up. The night before, Ashleigh said she wanted to be a princess when she grows up. Her daddy and I said that being a princess was not really a career. She promptly told us that yes, she would grow up and be a princess at Disney World. I just had to laugh.

Disney Books

So I realized that I had not posted on here in a long time. At my last retreat in early May, I made two Disney chipboard books. Below are the pics. The princess themed book I have to Ashleigh. The mickey themed book I have to mom for mothers day. She loved it. They took a lot of work but I love how they came out!

Mickey Disney Book

Princess Disney Book