I can't think of any witty...

As I mentioned before, I've been taking a couple classes at the gym. My favorite is called Flexible strength and it's sort of a mix of pilates, yoga and stretching or something. Well, I'm obviously NOT flexible OR strong! I bent over early last week to pick up a piece of cardstock (you KNOW how heavy that Bazzill cardstock is) and WHAM! I mean WHHHHAMMMM! and also OUCH! So I spent most of this week in pain, wincing and mostly acting like I was 90 something. Today is the first day I felt much better. Jeez, talk about putting a wrench in your plans (pun intended).

Did you know everybody's doing it? Like EVERYBODY! 6 x 12 layouts, I mean. Tonight I did my first and I totally LOVE this size. It's fun, quick and easy AND here's the bonus people....I have to push aside less crap on my scrap desk to work on the layout. That's VERY important you know.

For you Scrap-Master's University students, the next two layouts are our my last for this course! As you know we are doing layouts inspired by a famous scrap-artist and both of these are inspired by Jamie Waters. If you want to see the originals before class they are in the March CK, page 77 and 81.

You will need 2 4 x 6 photos in a landscape (horizontal) layout for the first. The photos should coordinate somehow. Jamies layout is called brothers and mine says bond. You'll want to think of a word that somehow describes the two photos. It could be something as easy as love or siblings, or sister. The other layout will also use a 4 x 6 photo also landscape situated. Mine is of a good friend. All three of these photos can be black and white or color.

Just Beachy!

Callie is in N.C. visiting my sister, Brandy. And the little luckylou has been to the beach twice in less than a week! I can't let Brandy out do me! So yesterday I took Cole and Peyton to the beach for the day. My friend Lisa and her family are there this week so we were able to hang with them. All of the kids had so much fun! The ladybug picture with little Mr. P totally cracks me up!

The start of SUMMER

First I want to talk about my absence, my lack of blogging. I've had quite a few prods about blogging again so let me explain. I feel like this is the last summer like I've known it for a long time. Peyton is starting school at the end of August and the twins are starting MIDDLE school. So weird. So many changes. I'm trying so desperately NOT to be sad about it. It's definately the start of something new (those dang High School Musical commercials are getting to me!) I'm going to have to get a "real" job probably. As you probably know, I babysit a darling little guy named Hayden. I teach at Scrap-Masters and have in the past dabbled in some other things there like artist events and such. I also work as a server a few nights a week, which I really love believe it or not! LOL I really LOVE all three of these jobs. All 3! But I admit it probably does make our lives chaotic. So I've gotta get a real job. Like a 9-5 kinda job. So that brings me back full circle to the last summer thingy. I've been concentrating more on the kids, having the summer that I want them to have. Heck, I've been enjoying it too! As I mentioned before, we joined a local gym and it has an AWESOME pool area with slides and everything! So we've been having a blast! Plus I've been working out so that
is definately making me feel better about myself. Anyway, all this concentration on fun has put me even further behind in other stuff but that SCHTUFF will still be there later and this time with the kids won't be so...

Okay, about these pics! Last night, Matt played at our favorite local place. I don't normally go to his shows but when he plays at Looney's I really try to! I really enjoy going but it's just not something I can do often. This place is so
close and our friends usually make it. I think this is my new favorite photo of Matt. He looks so HAPPY and Hot (if I do say so myself!) Some girlfriends made it to the show too! In order are Lisa D, Me, Tina, and Missie! Too much fun!

For my SMU ladies... I will have the two layouts completed by the end of this week and I'll get my email out to you too for our last class! Last class, can you believe it? ! :D

For Brandy...

My super sweet goofy little neice Grace has the most adorable SQUISHED face smile when you ask her to smile! I just HAD to document it!

official beginning...

I never really feel like Summer can begin until the school year ends and that was yesterday for us! The twins offically ended their
elementary years with a jam-packed week full of awards ceremonies and parties. The little girl in the picture with Cole has been friends with them since Kindergarten and so has the little girl with Callie. I LOVE that they have friends like this!

Earlier in the week I took some photo's of a friends boxers for her. Cassius and Bailey were crazy fun and BUSY! Such total cuties though!


We've lost 3 family members in the past 2 weeks so that has been on our minds as well. The world is less of a place without them.

Here's hoping our summer is fun-filled!

too many chefs in the kitchen...

On Friday, the twins had their Patriot fieldtrip (an earned trip) to Annapolis, Maryland. My friend Lisa and I were a couple of the chaperones. At the last minute we added a couple more moms to the carpool. Well ladies, when you have 3 different women giving directions to one frazzled mom in unchartered territory, you just may get pulled over by the FUZZ! Not just one but TWO! Yes, that's right, a mini van full of lost moms making a turn in a lane that wasn't a turn lane (apparently at least, we never really figured that out). Even though Lisa is smiling, look at how hard she's gripping her seatbelt! That's S T R E S S if you couldn't figure that out on your own! Luckily, no tickets were given and I'm sure the policemen got a chuckle!

Lisa DID NOT approve this post so she's probably gonna kill me...

I couple of my favorite pics of the day...Here's our group walking down one of the historic streets in Annapolis. A cool doorway on Maryland Avenue. Callie in front of someone's iron gate...it was so cool!

Foooooof!

Hey ladies! Tonight I told you all about the awesome Teresa McFayden coming to our store in August. After talking to Cathy tonight, we may have to put that off a bit because of the vacations in the summer. I'll let you know....Anyway here's Teresa, MRS. FOOFALA's blog...

http://teresamcfayden.typepad.com/minutia/

Chester is the bester...

Isn't he the schmoooshiest! Macy is just all about her comfort!

Even though I have 3 kids here's...

Peyton again! LOL

I've been feeling like it's important to get down the memories that are "EVERYDAY" memories. Things I KNOW I'll forget. I've been feeling so bittersweet about Peyton going to school next year. I feel bad for her that she won't have her "down" time in the a.m. BELIEVE me people, the child DOES NOT do mornings. She is going to have such a hard time getting ready next year! These pictures could be taken basically on any given day. The journalling reads..." everyday you have pancakes or french toast and everyday I pull your hair up away from the syrup" Peyton calls this "pancake hair"


In other EXCITING news: LOVE, ELSIE has hit Scrap-Masters! We only have some of the Roxy line but stilll! I can't even tell you how HOT this line is!

Peytonism and yes I do have other children

Yesterday I sent my sister some pics of Peyton in the pool at a pool party. She had on the CUTEST camo bikini! My pain in the bottom sister Brandy, emails me back, "you know, you DO have other children!". Yes I know, however, the little one doesn't act like I'm poking her in the eye with a toothpick as soon as she sees the camera. Seriously, you'd think I was causing physical pain to the larger two with my Canon! Let it be know (to my loyal blog audience of 15 or whatever) that I DO LOVE my other children, however I DO not take as many pictures of them. Period. I don't mean anything by it. It simply is not as easy to take photos of eleven year olds as it is to five year olds. Plus Peyton likes herself a little too much sometimes! :D

ohhh and that's Peyton and my brother, Darrin!

About the Peytonism...

Okay, as I've stated before, I've got more than my share of muffin top pokin out of the top of my pants now. I hate it. So we joined the local gym. We are not gym rats by any means but I DO enjoy a good walk! LOL So I'm hoping that this will help. Today I found out that I am 10lbs heavier than I was about 2 weeks after I had Peyton. That totally SUCKS especially considering that was 5 years ago! Today I had my baseline fitness test. Peyton happily went to the tot area so I could go to the meeting. I guess she was expecting miracles because when I went to pick her up she looked REALLY surprised to see me. Then she walks over lifts my shirt and says, " But you're not skinny YET!" If it was only that easy!

O Happy DAY!

Yesterday was one of those busy, fun-filled days full of family! My handsome little nephew Mason was Baptized in the Catholic Church. Here are a few of my favorite pics from the day!