Father's Day '09

Father's Day '09, think National Treasure+Vacation+Amazing Race and that would describe our day. Last week on the radio we heard about this activity called Geocaching. This was something we'd never heard of, but I knew that the kids would love to try it.
Here's a little blurb from their website: Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.
We downloaded a free GPS app for Chris' iPhone and I picked a couple that were local. There are over 800,000 to choose from all over the world.
So we set off in search of our treasure. Our first location was nearby, but the container was described as micro. We looked all over and could not find it. So disappointed, all they hype and nothing. So we set off for the second treasure. It was a trail we were not familiar with, but I should have known what we were in for when the title contained the word "view". We had a really steep climb, located what we thought was the correct spot and began searching. Again nothing. I think this might have been the end of our geocaching days, but we continued. This time we were in search of a larger container. And then I hear squeals from Morgan and she discovered it in the shrubbery. We signed our name and returned it to it's original location.
Both the kids wanted to know when we'd go again, I can see that this could be a great family activity. It's a wonderful way to explore new areas, get some exercise and enjoy time together.

R.I.P

If you made it this far...

you deserve a big thanks for looking. Here is the last of my layouts from Dillon Beach. I would say that with these pages I'm about 90% caught up in Jack's book. And for that I'll give myself a pat on the back!

I used Basic Grey Marakech (sp) papers. Pulled the letters from the Ambrosia line and the flourish is from Fancy Pants. Had the hardest time finishing this one up, but I like the final result.

I used a layout on scrapbook.com as the inspiration. This one took me forever cutting out those presents, but they really do look cute. Some of them are pop dotted. I also embroidered around that paper and I laced ribbon in between a gazillion eyelets. This might be the reason I got 28 layouts done and not 38~lol!

Another one using the Maracech paper. I used a sketch for this layout.

I lifted this layout idea and adapted it to my pictures. It looks kind of simple and less elaborate than others, but this one was pretty time consuming to get it just right.

And one more that I used a layout from scrapbook.com. These weren't the best pictures, but think it was a good layout to document the day.

Jack Layouts

Okay, moving on to some Jack layouts. This group is some layouts of pages that I was stuck on and had blank pages in his album waiting for them to be completed.

This turned out to be one of my favorites. Last month I found a notebook where I wrote down Jack's eating/sleeping habits when he was about 4 months old. I totally forgot that I did this. So I typed it up and put the pages in that little bag. I love that I have this information, this is the stuff that I never would remember if I didn't write it down.


This is another one inspired from Nicole Magouirk. Used Basic Grey Boxer papers.

I used scraps of Jillibean Soup papers for this one. Not really sure if I like it or not though.

Used Fancy Pants Daily Grind papers and chipboard elements.

This one started as a lift of Vicky Jo's birthday layout. Thanks for the inspiration. I have one more page to do for Jack's birthday.

Still more :-)

In Morgan's book I do a two page layout each year that includes her school picture and class photo. The little pocket holds a paper that we write down her favorites for the year. I also finished a 2 page layout for 3rd grade, but I've edited out the names and didn't feel like doing it again. The papers used were Fancy Pants All Fall. Love this line!



Papers were Tinkering Ink. Layout from Page Maps.




These last two were layouts from Page Maps as well and I used Basic Grey Granola papers.
Overall this post of layouts is my least favorite, but they are done and I'm moving on.

More Vacation/Family Layouts

And some more:




Here's one from the summer of 2007. Again I used the Milan paper. I lifted a single page layout and turned it into a 2 page layout. I love how it turned out and I love my little embroidered sun. It took awhile, but it's cute.





This one I used a papers from several diffent line. I used a layout from Nicole Magouirk's blog (remember I won some goodies from her). She has such a distinct style, but I really find it adaptable. I like my little owl that I pieced together.

Vacation Layouts

These were from our trip to Europe in 2006. I got this book about half way done and then lost steam. I still have quite a few more pages to finish in this album.


Paper is MAMBI Milan. The layout is from a book that Close To My Heart puts out.


I love how this one turned out. Again I used the Milan paper. The pictures were kind of miscellaneous and I didn't want to make separate layouts for them. I think you'll see this layout again, just going to use other 8 letter words like birthday or cruising.



This was in Gibraltar. The paper is from Making Memories Chelsea line.


This was a Valerie Salmon sketch. I used some Prima papers. This one was so simple, but it's one of my favorite.

Dillon Beach

Last weekend I was at Dillon Beach after a two year hiatus (I can't believe it was that long!). It was good to be back and I was very productive. I've been going there since Morgan was 3 or 4. We've rented a few different houses, but this is the one where we have spent the most time. It sits atop the bluff and has a beautiful ocean view. The bottom picture is a look at our scrapping space. Notice the blue tape on the ground. That's where all the furniture belongs and we know where to return it. There are 8 of us total and we pretty much have the system down pat. We listen to music by day, play dvds in the evening. Sex in the City makes a debut each night. All the while, we sit at our tables and scrap away. We try to squeeze in one walk along the beach, kind of depends on the weather. This weekend was beautiful.
Okay, on to some layouts. I'm going to group similar layouts and post them separately. I spent a couple weeks getting my stuff together and planning what I wanted to work on. As usual I planned much more than I got to, but I came home with 28 completed pages. Some I love, some I like, and some...well let's just say they'll go in the book and I'll flip the pages quickly when I come upon them.
Without further adieu....

12 on the 12th

Well the 12th landed on the last day of school this month.

Here's a peek at our day:

1) Spent the afternoon golfing and the evening with friends.

2) Morgan with her teacher gifts.

3) Before gymnastics.

4) Doesn't everybody have a fleece blanket in the toilet? Lucky me, got to fish out a pacifier as well.

5) That's me!

6) They've had this sign up for a month, just torturing the kids.

7) Taking off...

8) Reviewing her very excellent report card.

9) The scooter has been dusted off, learning tricks now.

10) Eating on his terms.

11) I'll be so glad to get these backpacks out of the way.

12) He looks so angelic. Looks can be deceiving.

Post script~

The author of the last article I posted didn't take into account the picture taker's ability. Clearly there are some people who are just not up for the job.

On the Eve of 12 on the 12th

My friend Carrie posted this on her blog and I loved the message and asked if I could copy. So with tomorrow being the 12th of the month, I know many of my friends will be taking lots of pictures so consider this your public service announcement.

Today I want to urge you to get over your shyness and pride and get in the picture!
I wish, wish, wish I had more pictures of me with our children. It is one of my few regrets.
So here’s the deal…
1. In five years you will look five years older….you WILL look young in the pictures you take today!
2. Ten years ago I thought I was fat. Oh my goodness….I should have taken pictures THEN.
3. Your children look at you all day long. THEY know what you look like. They won’t care how you look in the picture.
I really don’t like how I look in pictures. It pains me. I still want to look like I did when I was 25 years old. And really I’m shocked that I don’t.
But seriously. My children love me just the way I am. Chins and all.
Consider this your call to action!
You can do it. I know you can. If I can, you can!
Let your light shine. You will never regret it!
Encourage one another,

The rest of this post can be found here: http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2009/05/snap-out-of-it/

Even if you're not doing 12 on the 12th, make a point of getting in the picture every once in awhile.

OfFISHially Cute

Just wanted to share this little project I worked on last night. Found this project on this cute scrapbooking blog. When I realized I had the paper (Cosmo Cricket Snorkel) she used, I figured I needed to give it a try. These are for Morgan's teacher and music teacher. She typed up a thank you note and that is on the inside. On the back I made a pocket for a gift gard. Hopefully they'll realize to look on the back side. The sample I saw used the words, "You are ofFISHally the best", but we had to change ours a bit because Morgan wouldn't exactly classify this year's teacher as the best-that is reserved for last year's . Chris' suggestion was, "You are ofFISHally adequate", but that is not exactly a great way to the end the year. Anyway, just thought I'd share this cute project.