It is late...

...but I wanted to put this layout up. This is my *favorite* picture right now. The picture happened by chance. I just held the camera up and pushed the button. No zooming, no focusing. I wasn't even looking at Garrett. I was playing with Lance and saw Garrett running toward me and I automatically took the picture. The camera has become part of my body lately. It like an attachment to my hand. I simply love this picture. The colors, the motion, the look on Garrett's face. Great memory.

Credits go to Brenda Kempf for her wonderful Blue Hawaiian kit. And to Kirsty for all her help getting me out of my slump. Yes, I linked you Kirsty.

Time to get my snoring husband off the couch. Or, maybe I will leave him there...

Shelby On Sugar

Happy Birthday to Shelby! Tomorrow we are celebrating Shelby's second birthday! She is having a Care Bear party. The boys are giving her a bathtub doll. I got to buy a doll! And pink wrapping paper.

I have my MOPS Mini Retreat today and I am looking forward to it. I love to get together with these ladies. We always have fun and the little break is nice. We are planning the next years events and all that. I am in charge of the Moppets (the little kiddos) and playgroup. I need to get working on it because August will be here in no time.

Lance's surgery is still on for May 5. He has a pre-op this week and we will get the go ahead there. Hopefully this last dose of antibiotics did their trick and his ear is all better. I don't want to put it off. So keep the prayers coming!

I did one layout late last night of Shelby. It was fun working with girl colors.

I used Amanda Rockwell's Spring Kit in this layout.

I need to put LanceR down for a nap and clean the chocolate off of Garrett's face.

Trouble x2

Garrett and Shelby blowing bubbles outside. I don't think my house will ever look the same after yesterday. Three kiddos ages 3 and under and one Grandma.

Madness

Our house is just madness. There is no other word to describe it. I cannot keep up. I did dust, pick up, clean boy's bathroom and clean the couches and ottoman today. And then Lance woke up from his nap. That boy is a walking mess. He reminds me of Pigpen.

I spent most of the morning trying to figure out the insurance coverage for Lance's surgery. Not fun! I finally had to get Billy to help out because I was not getting the right answers. It is tentatively set for May 5.

I am very excited about tomorrow. Deanna and Shelby are coming over! Along with Grandma and Susie. Garrett and Lance will get to play with their cousin. Yeah! I am charging my camera batteries right now so I can get a few pictures of a girl!

I don't have much more to share. I was working on a new banner for the top of my blog. WAS! Garrett came and told me that "Mommy's computer was all fixed." He was trying to put a DVD in. He ended up turning it off. Now I am on a quest to find better child locks because Garrett has figured all of them out. More doorknob covers also.

That is all for now. I need to go figure out what the sticky spot is on the carpet. I am thinking gum.

Lance has another ear infection. The tubes cannot come soon enough. He is such a grumpy bear right now. He is walking around pulling on his hair. It is so sad.

We basically spent the day taking Garrett to school, going to the doctor and then to Target to get Lance's medicine. When we did get home I made the boys clean up their rooms. Lance loves to clean up but will only last about 2 minutes. Garrett dawdles. He told me he "couldn't clean his room today." I asked him why not and you will not believe what he told me! He said "it will take forever."

That is all for today. I am going to go put the munchkins in bed. I leave you with another layout from the beach.

Credits:: Brenda Kempf's Just Beachy Kit and the fonts are Vaguely Repulsive and Coffee Break

Just another quiet day at home. I figured I'd better put something here so Susie won't be worried! I am very excited about getting to see all my sisters-in-law this week!!! Is that how you say it? Sisters-in-law? I know we will have fun! I need to clean the house this week and put up all the trains. Garrett refuses to share his trains. Lance has learned that lesson! It is just easier to put them up than deal with the fighting. Last time Shelby and Garrett played they did fight. I guess they are too close in age. Shelby held her own against Garrett! They both have their Grandfather's bullheadedness in them!

Here are 2 new layouts:

Credits:: Shabby Princess decorative edges and Gina Cabrera's Luck Star

Credits:: The blue paper, circle paper, staples and stitch are from Shabby Princess Spring Breeze. the vellum is Faith True's. The dots paper and glitter eggs are from Dani Mogstad's Hide and Seek. The purple paper is from a freebie at PiNG Designs.

To all my digi-scrap friends (that's you Kirsty!), I can't decide if I like to scrap 8x10, 8x8 or 12x12. What do you think? The first is 8x10 and the second is 12x12. I guess it really doesn't matter. I don't put these in a special sized album. Just a photo album. And I reduce to print on a 8x10. Just curious.

Time for bed. If I can get Billy to move off my pillows.

What a gorgeous day! We just couldn't let it go to waste so we packed up the boys and went to Surfside. It was absolutely beautiful! We had so much fun. This was Garrett's second time to the beach, although I doubt he remembers the first. And Lance's first time. We could not keep Garrett out of the water. He loved it! Lance ran from the water every time it came close. He had fun- just not in the water. Billy cooked hot dogs and we had a picnic. So much fun! And of course I have pictures!

I have a bunch more but I am saving them for scrapbook pages. Or maybe I will share a few next week.

Now I can't wait for our trip to South Padre!!!

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Credits:: Craft paper is Michelle Coleman's, patterned papers and fiber are from The Digi Shoppe and the screws are from Miss Mint's Spring Jelly Bean. Font is all used up.

Credits:: Everything is from the Priceless Mega kit from DigiScrapDivas

Credits:: Brenda Kempf's Butterfly Rose Kit and Faith True's letter m. Thanks to Susie for giving me the picture of Kenzie.

Credits:: Faith True's Faith, Hope and Charity kit. And to Shelby for letting her aunt scrap her pictures I stole from her Mommy's blog.

Credits:: green paper is from Sarah VanDyke, Other papers and ribbon from Robin Carlton's PB&J, Circles from Jessica Bolton's Signature, brads from Faith True's Birthday Suit and the stitched border and staples are Shabby Princess.

And MY FAVORITE:

Credits:: heart is Holly McCaig's and everything else is from Faith True. From her Bright Spring kit and Vellum pack. I colored in the letters.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Tubes

I took Lance to the ENT today. He needs ear tubes. We were hoping that he wouldn't since he is already one year but no such luck. So we (I) are looking into the insurance coverage and cost and surgery centers. Yuck! Maybe I can wait until after South Padre???

Not much is going on around here. Just trying to keep cool. Summer has hit us hard! I am not ready for the hot temperatures. My poor little guys sweat so much when we go outside. We don't have much shade because our tree just started putting out leaves. Between the heat and the bugs you would think it was August! Oh- the bugs are Taquitos. Garrett language for mosquitoes.

Guess who is turning two? Miss Shelby! My one and only niece. She is having a Care Bear party next weekend. Can't wait to see her (and her parents). Next weekend I also have a MOPS mini-retreat. I am really excited about that. Not only will it be a fun day with a great group of moms but I will NOT have to feed or bathe anyone that night! I get chills just thinking about it. Billy and I also have an ADULT birthday party coming up for one of his co-workers. No cartoon characters, no cupcakes, no juice boxes. Do you know how long it has been since we have been to a party without kids?

One more thing before I share some pictures. Today was pet day at Garrett's MDO. I couldn't take Trevor because we had to go to the doctor. So Garrett got to pick one of his fuzzy animals to take with him. I was thinking he would pick his puppy or raccoon. No, he picks his largest animal. Big Duck as we like to call him. The thing is bigger than Lance. He is in a picture below. Garrett also sleeps with him. Or on him I should say. In his bed a night he has the following: Big Duck, Regular Duck, Peef, Corduroy, Raccoon, Puppy, Tiger, Lumpy, Roo, Little Tiger and Birthday Bear. He also MUST have a few books and lately his golf club when he goes to sleep. It is no wonder he climbs into our bed at night. I'll stop rambling now...

Credits:: Faith True's Fete des Fleurs Kit and Dani Mogstad's chipboard alpha. Fonts are SP Coffee Break and Tangerine

I have more but it is not letting me upload right now. Will update later...

Herding Cats

NFL someday???

Can you see Lance's name on the back of a jersey? This boy loves to play ball! When we go outside all he does is shoot baskets. Billy says he is built like a linebacker. I think he would make a great baseball player. His name was influenced by baseball...

Here are a few more pictures from Easter weekend. This one is of the boys after their first egg hunt.

And this is from Easter Sunday before church. It is easier to "herd cats" as Billy puts it than take a picture of these two.

And one of the boys walking to the truck Sunday morning. These are the items we MUST have whenever we go anywhere. Blue bear and fruit snacks.

That is all for now...

MORE

I know I said I would have more for you today but I am just worn out! I really need to get the house clean and laundry done. We have a very busy week and I am already behind. Two days are gone due to doctor appointments and I need to take Garrett to pick out more u.n.d.i.e.s. Yes, he is just about completely potty trained. He just forgets when he is really into playing.

So, maybe this will keep you satisfied...



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A Good Day

You know you had a good Easter when you look like this...






More tomorrow.

Good Friday

In more ways than one! The meaning of Good Friday to me has changed over the years. When I was younger is was all about no school and building our nest for the bunny. Remember that S, J and C? We would rip all of mom's monkey grass out and make nests and fight over whose was the best. I always won. Now the meaning is much deeper. The ultimate sacrifice.


This morning we dyed our Easter eggs. Garrett loves to do this and has been asking for about a month if it was time to color the eggs. Here is a picture of Garrett and his colorful eggs. It is kinda scary to see how much he looks like Billy.

And here is one of the cutest little toddler ever!

And here is a scrapbook page of my two fishermen. I say two because Lance is more interested in the dirt than the fishing.

Credits::Sasika Bokkers Spring Delight kit and Shabby Princess borders.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful Easter!

Anyone Want A Three Year Old?

I got one for you- real cheap!

The past few days have been rough! I would never give away my child but I wouldn't mind a Mommy time-out! Garrett is testing his boundaries. His new tactic is to ask the same question over and over (about 20 times). I guess he thinks that eventually he will get the answer he wants. But as anyone who knows me can tell you, I win that game! I have even more determination and stubbornness than he does.

I am also having DSL trouble. All is fine on my end. The router for this area is being worked on and that causes interruption. So I am told. I will give it another day before I complain again. I am not happy about it because I need to get some things done for MOPS and playgroup.

Enough venting. Garrett has asked me about 50 times today if he can go to school. He knows he is having an egg hunt and party on Thursday. I told him after he watches Barney (comes on right before we leave) So after supper he came up to me with a Barney video and said "Can I watch this and go to school?" I need to come up with a few new tricks!

We are very excited that Shane and Lauren will be moving soon!!!! I know my parents are. I am sure Garrett and Lance will be thrilled also. No more teaching Garrett ANYTHING Shane! I am trying to undo the horse stuff and I hear about bombs all the time.

Well, it is almost time for LOST. So here are a few layouts to share.

Credits:: papers, scallop edge, ribbons and stitched are all from Shabby Princess, doodles are from DDE

Credits:: Brenda Kempf's Little Peeps and Shabby Princess stitches

Gotta go before I lose my connection again....

No Swipping!

This is what Garrett says when Lance takes something from him! "Lance, NO SWIPPING!" Too much Dora around here! Another favorite of mine is "What in the world?" It is just hilarious to hear that come out of a three year old!

We are having a nice Monday. Just a little playing and cleaning. Lance is cutting teeth and is now taking a very long Motrin induced nap. Garrett is eating a plum. He is so weird with his eating habits. He will go a few days and just nibble at his meals and then he will eat constantly for a day. On average, he will eat three days out of the week. That is all his skinny body needs.

I have another page to share. I created this for Brenda Kempf. It is all about me. This is the only decent picture I have of myself without a child attached to me. So, you might get sick of looking at this picture!

Credits:: Brenda Kempf's Little Peeps and Susie's Hand font. Virtual Photographer on the picture.

And this one is of Lance and Sugie walking in her backyard. It is a scraplift from gracesmum.

Credits:: inked edges and frame from Shabby Princess. The rest is all from Jessica Bolton's Signature at Eclectic Scraps. Font is butterbrotpapier

That is all for now. I need to work on my floors- you would be amazed as to what Lance can do to them!

Sunday Sunday Sunday

What a great day! After church and nap we went to the park to go fishing. Garrets version of fishing is not the same as his Daddy's! He wouldn't touch the worms but of course, Lance had no fear of them. I think Garrett enjoyed chasing the ducks more! Lance hung out in the wagon for a while then toddled around and tried to get in the water. We then went over to the park and played for a few minutes. When we got home the boys had popsicles. Lance somehow knew exactly what to do! They also played in the sprinkler and pool. Fun! Here are a few highlights:



Almost time for Gray's Anatomy. Have a great week!

Home

It feels so good to be home! I love going to my parents or anywhere else but I sure do miss my bed! I know the boys do. They go to bed so much easier at home. I guess it is just not as exciting here.

We are just hanging out today. It is absolutely gorgeous outside! I plan on a little outdoor playtime later. Anything to wear these boys out since Billy isn't coming home until tonight.

I am now on another creative team! Yeah! I have the privilege to create layouts using Brenda Kempf's wonderful kits. I am working with her Little Peeps kit. It is just adorable! Check it out- the paper piecing is amazing! I am enjoying this so much.

I have a few layouts to show off! I don't even remember what I have put on here so if they are repeats I am sorry!

Billy is going to kill me for this one! This is what happens when I get out of bed on Saturday mornings.

Credits:: Faith True Renew Kit and Hope, Faith and Love kit. Borders from Shabby Princess . Fonto is SP Coffee Break and SP Love Life

This is one of what happens while I make supper.

Credits: Faith True' s Birthday Suit

And this is of the most inquisitive little boy.

Credits: Sweet Renewal Kit from Digital Memories Magazine

Another of Lance. I love this picture of him!

Credits:: LaWanna Dejardin's Boys Club.

That is all for now!

Slooooooooow internet

I am at my parents and their internet is sooooo slow! I am spoiled by my super fast, super cheap DSL. I can't even check my email. Maybe tomorrow. I am sitting here typing this because I am waiting for Garrett to go to bed. His Uncle Joby got him all wound up and now he won't go to sleep. I hear a little voice. Better go check it out...

Art

Garrett has discovered art. If you look around our house you can see his masterpieces. There is a stunning blue across the front entry, a vibrant rainbow on my bedroom floor and an amazing collage of stickers on the couch. But the one piece of art that is purely genius is this::

Garrett should have been in bed. He snuck into the kitchen and got the glue. He took the entire lid off and poured it onto a piece of paper. It was then that I heard "Wow, look at this. It's nice." Garrett was walking across the living room with the paper that had the puddle of glue. He asked "Do I do a good job Mommy?" How could I say no? I told him we would set it on the table for Daddy to see when he got home. I put Garrett back in bed. Five minutes later I heard him again in the kitchen. This time he said "it's almost dry." I peeked in and found he added to his creation. He got the red pepper flakes of the counter and sprinkled 3/4 of the bottle on the paper. He thought it was gorgeous! It is still on the counter drying.

That is art in this household. Refrigerator worthy.

Just a little note- I am going to my parents tomorrow for a few days. I may be able to leave a post or two but will not be able to addt pictures or layouts. A little break for me and the boys while Daddy goes fishing.

Summer is here!

Can you believe it? Summer is here. It is already 80 degrees outside and it is only noon! We didn't have a winter this year. The only seasons around here are fall and summer. But that is ok. Warm weather means I can turn the sprinkler on and it will keep the boys occupied for HOURS! The only problem is getting the sunblock on but keeping it our if their eyes. I found this stuff that sprays on. Garrett thought it was neat.

Garrett and Lance are playing together more and more each day. They will play Little People, race cars, kitchen band, ball and wrestle. I think their favorite is wrestling. It is funny now because Lance has figured out how to fight back. He slaps really well. They also like to play the piano together. They can usually stand about 30 minutes of each other and then I have to separate them.

I apologize for the poor picture quality. My camera has an awful lag time and tiny flash.

I completed another layout that is not of my boys! This is Susie and Justin. I used a filter on the picture from Virtual Photographer. I find I am doing that to most of my photos.

Credits:: Andrea Burns Sunrise Surprise Kit and Jen Wilson stitch

I am signing off for now. I need to give Lance his antibiotic. I have to slip it in when he is sleeping. Such a stinker!

Playing

Just a quick picture...



Flower by Shawna Clingerman

Good Monday To You!

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. If you caught the previous post you have an idea of what happened to the boys this weekend. They got their summer haircut. I wish you could see Lance! Pictures do not do it justice. He looks like a little tough boy. The baby look is GONE! Garrett looks the same, only with shorter hair.

We had a busy but nice weekend. The boys spent time with Billy Saturday morning while I went to a MOPS conference. They went to Academy and then to get haircuts. We met up at a BBQ cook-off that Tellepsen was in and had lunch. There was a petting zoo where Garrett tortures the little chickens. We then went to a park and played kickball with our Sunday School class. And here are a few pictures::::

And I have one scrapbook page.

Credits:: Papers and brad from Shabby Princess Tickle-icious, Ribbons from Gina Miller and tag from Kim Christensen.

Have a great day!

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Happy Belated Birthday Susie! I did not forget! Your card has been mailed. You might want to spray it with Lysol so you don't catch what we have! Joking!

Anybody Know Whose Kids These Are???