Luke is 5!

Happy Birthday to our little big man....Luke! We love you!

creative round-up

Dani made these Disney Princesses hair clips that any girl would love! My favorite is Tinkerbell. Thanks Dani!

Creative Tuesday

This is a horrible photo- I know. I've been having problems today. Anyway this is an album that I am creating for Claire's first birthday. This is the embellished cover. Hopefully I can finish it before her next birthday!

Pioneer Mayhem

I know, I know I post way too much about Claire. but check out this video we took on Pioneer Day of her. We were doing fireworks and she loved it. Especially the pop-its. Everytime they would pop she would bust out laughing- it was hilarious.

Nicknames

How can one little baby girl have so many nicknames? Last night Jed was getting Claire out of the highchair and calling her: " cutie patootie." (sp?) I never imagined those words ever leaving his lips let alone him calling his daughter that after feeding her a snack pack of oreos that he brought home from work just for her. sigh. Other nicknames include; sugar, "purty"girl, Claire bear, sweetie pie, sister, sissy,bucky, fattie, little girl, piggy, all used by different people. Need I say more? She is one loved little girl.

Happy Birthday Isaac!

Eight

Years Old!

We love you and are so proud of you!

Love, Mom & Dad

Creative Round-Up

There were no submissions this week.....

Creative Tuesday

This is a photo I took of Isaac and edited it in photoshop and made it into an invitation for his baptism. Jennifer Sprague has a great photo blog that features a photoshop friday which a few fridays ago had a great tutorial for adding "shazam" to just about any photo. Check it out: http://spraguelab.squarespace.com/ Remember that you can click on the photo to view it larger. Now it's your turn!

Summer Fun

Last month I was "tagged" to list our family summer goals. My friend Hannah was tagged too and one of her goals was: "Have fun, don't die." I pretty much adopted that as our main goal this summer, with all of the transition we are taking things day by day pretty much. I thought I would post some photos to show how we are accomplishing this goal. Thanks for the inspiration Hannah!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Creative Round-Up #9

Today' s round-up includes two submissions from Melanie and Rosie. Mel made these flowerpot centerpieces for a family reunion BBQ-great idea!

Rosie made this summer card (below). Thanks ladies!

Creative Tuesday

This is an anniversary card I made for Jed's grandparents.(event photos are forthcoming) It is hard to see in the photo but the papers I used have a pearl sheen to them.

The Poll is Closed

Well the results are in. It looks like Creative Mondays are here to stay! I am going to make a change though- I am going to make it Creative Tuesdays instead. It just gives a bit more cushion (especially in the summer) to make and view submissions, after busy weekends. Don't forget to send them to the new address link listed in the sidebar to the right. Stay tuned for the new season tomorrow...

The Land of the Free...

Finally, I think we are somewhat settled. Thanks to all of you out there who helped us in our move....we love you! Creative Mondays are back on track starting next week--so watch, for that, if the vote goes through. (see sidebar to vote, don't worry you are not going to hurt my feelings-so just vote!) This past week we celebrated the 4th with Jed's family. We had a family BBQ and pool party. It was great to spend time with everyone, but bittersweet as we said goodbye to Jed's sister, Dani who is moving to Denver with her family. We will miss them, but are excited for them at the same time.

This past Sunday I got all choked up as we were singing the national anthem in church. We were all standing and singing. I stood between Isaac and Jared and noticed that they were not reading the lyrics but singing by memory. Hearing their sweet boy voices made the tears start to rise. They have been attending a charter school for the last 2 years and every morning they start the day in the gym with the whole school participating in a flag ceremony which not only includes saying the pledge of allegiance , but also singing the national anthem. I have been able to attend one and it was incredible to see these 500 kids respond with such respect to things we hold dear in this country. Things that I hope we still hold dear. Things that we need to hold dear. As I listened to my boys' voices a feeling of gratitude came over me that these boys have not had to see the horrors of war and injustice first hand in their young lives. I hope that they never have to. But if they do, I hope they can face such things with faith, dignity, courage and strength as those who have to do so now and have done in the past. Thank you to all our active military friends; The Carters, Cukors, Kenningtons, Johnsons who have sacrificed so much in the past year for the benefit of all of us.

"Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation!Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!" -Francis Scott Key