Creative Round-Up

There were two submissions this week. the first is from Melanie who made the "bag in a box" above. The second is an altered cookie jar from Dani. Notice the cute recipe holder on the side. I like the colors that you both used. Thanks for the inspiration! Although I will add this; do we really need something to make treats more alluring and attractive Dani? :)

Creative Tuesday

A quick baby girl card...

First Day of School

My babies are growing up "sniff".....

Graduation Day

We have been waiting for this day for years. Although Jed offically graduated in June and already has his diploma, yesterday made it feel more real. Thanks to all of you who came to support us, we love you!

Creative Round-Up

No submissions this week...

Creative Tuesday

This is a simple case I did....

Sit-ups

So I walked into the room today and Isaac was sitting on Jared's feet while he was doing sit-ups. They were "training" for future Olympics. I flashed back to my own childhood self running sprint races in the driveway and perfecting my balance beam routine on the edge of the living room rug. I love the Olympics! I always have. When I was on a mission in Switzerland I served in Lausanne and was able to visit the Olympic Museum- so cool. It has been on my life list to attend an Olympics but have not yet. But I will! Maybe London? Who wants to come?

Not Creative

So, ya. I did not finish my project yet this week so stay tuned for that. There were no submissions this week either. Looks like we are all busy with other things! Stay tuned for an update.....

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

Creative Round-Up #8

#1- We have a Mother's Day card submitted by Dani.........................
#2- So I forgot that Luke and I went on a date last week and made this craft at a local scrapbook store together. A cute idea and time well spent with my little guy...it uses a juice can, patterned paper, craft sticks and your ideas for activities...#3- Kir sent me this idea that she found on rocksinmydryer they are canvas embellished with fabric and/or paper. (pictured first)The bird picture reminded me of a card that I made a few months ago that I posted yesterday. I would like to try this idea for Claire's future room. An Eiffel tower or something "frenchie". Maybe signs over her kitchen saying "Paris Cafe" or something.....just brainstorming!They were originally found at Pottery Barn Kids- so how can I go wrong?

Creative Monday

Sorry all! It has been a crazy day! Above is a card I did for a swap awhile back- a cop out I know. My boys did make a coupon accordion file for Jed for Father's Day- but my camera battery is dead. i will post it when the battery is charged- it is nothing spectacular but a cute idea- I thought. I will be taking the next two Monday's off. We are moving and I can't image I will be able to pull anything together. So keep sending in your ideas and I will post them on the next round-up!

Friendship

Yesterday was a wonderful day for our family. Jed was home and we spent the day just "being". Most of this time was spent at a local park with a duck pond. Family friends of ours met us there later in the afternoon. The Kenningtons are friends of ours from Alaska. Lee is in the Army and was stationed there years ago, where we were in the same church ward together.They had two little girls the same ages as Jared and Isaac at the time. They transfered to Hawaii in 2001 and we have not seen them since. Lee is currently deployed and Angie came to Utah to visit family and we were finally able to connect yesterday after over 7 years. This is a photo of Angie and I at the park yesterday.
Front Runner Review made an interesting statement; "The best way to ensure your memory lives on is through the people you touch." I think this is so true. It took a year before Angie and I even really spoke to each other. I was in Primary and she was the Primary secretary . One day when I was walking through the halls during classtime after a trip to the bathroom I overheard the Primary President really chewing out someone around the corner from where I was walking. As I rounded the corner, I saw that the poor soul being yelled at was Angie. I was so shocked that this lady could treat anyone that way and so openly ridicule someone like that. Of course I just kept walking. But all day long I couldn't stop thinking about poor Angela. I didn't know her at all but no one deserves to be treated like that, I kept thinking. After coming home from church, I couldn't get the thought out of my head that I needed to call her. Call her? I don't even know if she knows who I am? ! Later that evening I finally gave in. It was so out of character for me and I was mortified! What would I say? It was none of my business! Well, I made the phone call and we have been friends ever since. I know that the Lord brought us together through another woman's ridiculous expectations and I am so grateful. We needed each other. Angie saved me from myself after Isaac was born. She rekindled my interest in scrapbooking and talked me out of the mom overall uniform I long needed to give up. She touched my life in a way that will be remembered in our family stories, just as Front Runner Review was explaining.
Isn't it wonderful how with true friends- even when you haven't seen each other in years or even spoken in years you can pick up right where you left off? I felt this in April with Kir and was reminded again yesterday of this feeling. It is more evidence to me of the amazing nature of our souls or spirits and how when our bodies and/or our minds cannot recall things our spirits kick in to make up the difference. I am so grateful for friendship and those of you out there that have touched me and forever made an impression on my soul. Thanks...

E.R Round 2

Isaac decided yesterday that he would cut his own bagel. In the split second he decided this and my back was turned to put a different bagel in the toaster-he sliced his finger instead. Good Morning! 7 stitches later..... we headed for swimming lessons.(Isaac excluded)He did great and I'm sure it helped that Jed was the one doing the stitching. I wonder how many trips to the ER it will take before they just start deducting it from Jed's paycheck?
The boys started swimming lessons last week and it has been fun for them. I still can't get over the fact that the lessons are outdoors. It must be the Alaskan in me. Claire has been a bit upset that she is not participating. Especially since there is a mommy/tot class that she can see. I've tried to explain to her that paying for public humiliation(me in a swim suit) 4 times a week is just plain wrong. Adding to this fact that a lot of the days have been in the 60's and 70's which is too cold for babies. Someday she will understand....

Creative Round-Up #7

Submissions this week are a bit jumbled on this post- sorry. We have an altered letter"P" using ink and crystal effects, a baby card and a BBQ caddie. Thanks Kathy,Krystal and Melanie!

Creative Monday

Just a quickie card today. I learned a trick from my friend Krystal. I painted the chipboard flower and while the paint was still wet, dipped it in glitter. An easy way to glitter things up!

15 years and counting....

Happy Anniversary to Candice and Kelly! We love you guys!

Jedi Claire

I have 3 older brothers! What do you expect?

Remembering D- Day June 6,1944

Eisenhower's Message prior to invasion:

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

-- Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Creative Round-Up #6

The submissions today come from Krystal and Kirsten. The first is an instant birthday in a box, complete with treat candles and balloon. I have seen this in an anniversary form also- fun idea! The second is a quiet book for kids. This is the same 1962 pattern that Kirsten's mom used for her own quiet book. Kids love these! These photos are just a few of the pages in the book - what a great find. I have always wanted to make one of these myself. Bravo, ladies!

Creative Monday

This scrapbook layout is a flashback! Jared was in first grade in these photos and now he is going into fifth! I've got the scrapbook itch. So, watch out for more layouts. I want to complete Claire's baby book so that will be my main focus. Happy creating!