New Year's Thoughts....

Okay....I'm not making resolutions but a list of things I'd like to get accomplished/see happen this year.



1. LOSE weight.....I lost quite a bit a few years ago...seems most has tracked me down and latched on again.

2. Join a gym...okay, done this before but, I SERIOUSLY need to get into shape. If I have any hope of keeping up with Dave and Evan hiking and backpacking I need to do something!!!!

3. Scrapbook at least a couple things a week....either a card, or a layout or something......

4. CLEAN up my scrap area after I am done with each project, so I don't end up with a huge pile of paper and mess!

5. Spend more time with Dave in the evenings....

6. Take photos of everyday life...instead of just special occasions.

7. Take a photography class to really learn how to use my camera.

8. Go backpacking with the boys.....

9. Go camping often.....

10. Continue attending church weekly.....

11. Be able to have the money for our trip to England BEFORE going so we don't come home in debt!

12. Get the house more organized and purge stuff we don't need!!!!!

What are your plans for 2008??? Post them on your blog and link back here so I can check them out!

Christmas Recap.....

We had a GREAT Christmas.....so relaxing (well, for the most part!) and quiet (until Christmas morning!). Christmas Eve we were serenaded by my brother and Evan on their guitars....here Greg is trying to keep up with Evan.
PURE EXCITEMENT....not sure I have ever seen Evan soooo excited over a Christmas gift as he was when he saw his new ELECTRIC guitar Santa got him! Everytime I turned around on Christmas Day he was holding it, playing it, touching it...and luckily Uncle Greg knew he was getting it and got him a tuner so it was in tune!
The ROCK BAND....Evan, Smudge (his pug Webkinz), Alex and Spotter (his webkinz). Thank goodness for VOLUME controls!!!!

As for Dave and I.....he got backpacking stuff and I got new dishes and a PINK Dirt Devil broom vac...I know...a vacuum cleaner is not the gift most people ask for but I had been looking at these for a long time. So much easier to sweep the hardwood floors!!!

portrait...

Here's what everyone on DH's side of the family is getting for Christmas....,....these are the 6 grandkids.....my 2 and my neices and nephews. What do you think?????

Wow...time is flying....

Has it really been almost two weeks since I posted....not sure if that is because I have been so busy or because I really don't have anything to post about......but since it's been a while I'll throw out my Thursday 13 a few hours early......

This week...since it's been so long since I updated I will post what's going on around here....

1. Work...is it Christmas vacation yet??? And WHY exactly did I agree to teach all year??? I sure miss my quiet time at home, relaxing before having to drive the boys all over town in the afternoon.
2. Work....there are some good things....I LOVE the principal at the school I am at. Being there has restored my confidence after the last year I taught (some might remember the teaching year from.........). A friend saw my principal and told him to give me a hard time (because he LOVES doing that) and he told her no...he wasn't going to mess with me cause I was doing good! LOL!!!
3. Had a wonderful experience today participating in our school's Christmas shopping spree for some of the needy kids at our school. 22 kids and at least that many adults went to a department store this evening....each child had $100 to spend on things they needed (jackets, pants, shirts, shoes....). I got to help a little guy shop for clothes....he and his family had recently been homeless and his mom was so appreciative of what we were doing. Definitely left with warm fuzzy feelings of the season!
4. DONE shopping......waiting for a few things to arrive in the mail and may need to pick up a couple little things but for the most part I am done!
5. Most presents are even wrapped and under the tree!!!!!
6. We took the boys last weekend to see Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas concert! Wow..what a great concert. Dave and I had seen them many years ago and they were every bit as good as I remembered. Evan loved it....Alex enjoyed it but it was a late night and he was getting tired!
7. We recently booked our flights to London for next summer....I am beyond excited with the thought of getting to go back there again!!!! This will be my 3rd trip.....last time we went Evan was a baby, which was hard. It will be so much fun to see everything with the boys.
8. Saw our friend from England last week..he was a couple hours away on business so we were able to have dinner with him.
9. Evan has completed all requirements for 1st class scout....so excited for him. He's really working hard on most of this scout stuff.
10. We started attending church where the boys go for scouts. I think it should be a good 'fit'....we know a lot of the people there and they are so warm and open. Looking forward to next Sunday!
11. Got my hands on the new Close to My Heart idea book tonight...OMG!!! I need to work a 2nd job!!! There are some fantastic new stamp sets and even some of the paper packs (which I am not always a fan of) are AWESOME!!!!!!
12. I have 6 books stacked on my bedside table waiting to be read...good thing none are due back at the library until after the 1st of the year.
13. To the FEW people who actually read my mindless, rambling...................

I hope you and your family have a

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and a

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The countdown has began....

Wow.....December 1st already!!!! The holiday season has officially started.....I love this time of year. The decorations, the lights, the twinkle in everyone's eye as they try to keep secrets, a child's plea to Santa for that perfect gift, Christmas songs on all the radios, Christmas movies on all the channels.....

The house is decorated inside and out....packages are bought, wrapped and under the tree....

And only 24 more days to go!

Almost over...

Can't believe that my month long vacation is almost over....kind of wish I didn't have to go back. But, it's only for a few weeks and then we're off again for Christmas! We've had a great time hanging out at home. Oh, and last night Dave and I went to see Billy Joel in concert!!! What an amazing concert!!!!!! More than 2 hours of just Billy....no opening act and no intermission!!!

Been working on a few cards and an altered binder clip for our Shaker Box DT Sponsor Kat Stamps (http://www.katstamps.com/) . She has some awesome clear stamps!!!! Go check them out!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Thursday 13

Well...can you believe that Thanksgiving is a week from today???? Seems like this year just started...now it's almost over. YIKES!

In the spirit of the holiday I am going list 13 things I am thankful for today........

1. I am thankful for......friends, especially the one down in the garage helping Dave to fix our garage door which decided this evening to go all wonky on me!!!!
2. I am thankful for....Evan....what an amazing kid! Just had his parent conference tonight...cannot be prouder of him!
3. I am thankful for.... Alex I've enjoyed spending this month off with him. He's growing up so fast but still loves to hang out with his mom.
4. I am thankful for..... Dave who allows me to be me...and make my own decisions and loves me no matter what!
5. I am thankful for....my ability to be creative....I have been scrapping lately....and having fun!
6. I am thankful for.....my health.
7. I am thankful for......the ability to hear my boys say "I love you, Mom" every day!
8. I am thankful for....my online friends who are always there to give encouragement without judement!!!! Love all you guys....
9. I am thankful for.....family. I have the most amazing extended family who will come and help out as needed!
10. I am thankful for.....having BILLY JOEL tickets for Monday night!!!!! CANNOT wait to go see him in concert!!!!!
11. I am thankful...that I have the boys' main gifts purchased and hidden! Now to get a few little things and I am done! NOT, I will repeat (more for myself than anyone else), NOT going to go overboard this year!!!! Even the boys say they don't need a lot!
12. I am thankful for....LIFE! I may not always voice it but I am truely blessed!
13. I am thankful for.....above all God!!!

a few more from Disneyland.....

THE rollercoaster.....California Screamin'......going upside down in the Mickey head....VERY fun!!!! Even Alex loved it.....
NEVER too old for Pooh Bear.....
or Tigger!!!!!! We waited in line for about 15 minutes to see Pooh and Tigger!!!!

Disneyland!!!!

Evan spinning out of control on the teacups! We were spinning WAY too fast!

Playing around in California Adventures with Pluto and Goofy! Goofy kept pulling Alex's hood over his face while Pluto kept putting his hand over Evan's eyes! It was quite funny!

The boys and I at the entrance to Disneyland!

Thursday 13

Almost forgot.....today's Thursday! Man..when I am off track, my days get all jumbled up!!! Since today is November 1st and Thanksgiving isn't too many weeks away I thought I would start the month with 13 things I am Thankful for......

I am thankful for.....

1. Dave....always there to support me no matter what!!!!
2. Evan...how lucky I am that you call me mom. You make me proud everyday!
3. Alex...and your snuggles and kisses just cause...and the many times you tell me I'm the BEST mom!
4. being off track!!!!!! No work for a month!!!!
5. the chance to reconnect with old friends a couple weeks ago...miss them all already!
6. my online friends.......you know who you are (probably the only people who read this!).
7. the fact that Dave's mom, the boys and I are heading to Disneyland in a few days!!!!!
8. the time I have gotten to spend scrapbooking lately...it's been fun!
9. My brother.....might not see him often but nice to know I'm not the last one of our family.
10. My inlaws....2 of the most wonderful people in the world.....I so appreciate them always being there for me, no matter what!
11. the fact that Dave's mom, the boys and I are heading to Disneyland in a few days.
12. my computer....yeah, I know..but without it, you wouldn't be able to read my mindless ramblings!
13. God.....

Couple of my BEST friends......

The classmates who were there.... My bud Brenda and I...we've known each other our entire lives...really!

One of my best friends, Tisha and I.....we've been close friends since 1st grade.

Here are a couple photos from the reunion......... love the photos of my friends and I. These two friends are probably two of the ones who know me the best. Tish and I share a LOT of secrets about each other....things NO ONE else knows! Brenda and I have been buds since we were infants...she's like the sister I've never had. With the two of them..it doesn't matter how much time passes between chats or visits...I know they are there for me!

some more calendar pages

getting some LOs done...

Finally getting back into the scrapping world.....and getting some calendar pages done!

Thursday 13

Borrowed this idea from one of my best friends, Tisha.....I love reading her Thursdsay 13 as they are always on a theme!

This week...13 things I am looking forward to!

1. TOMORROW....tracking off! Off work for a month!
2. A chance to have slower paced mornings for a while.......
3. Disneyland....we'll be paying the mouse a visit in a couple weeks.
4. Halloween.......not one of my favorite holidays but the boys love it and this year they decided we didn't need to go spend $$$ on costumes and they are making due with what we have. They'll trick or treat while I visit at a friend's house...who's birthday is Halloween!
5. The cyber crop at The Scrapcity (www.thescrapcity.com) come hang out with us...there are going to be TONS of challenges
6. More time next month to scrap....
7. Spending time hanging out with Alex
8. Cooler weather to come...and time to go out and play in it
9. Thanksgiving.....a chance to visit with family we don't see often.
10. Time......just time!
11. The end of soccer season......not too excited about our coach and his attitude.
12. Getting to stay in my jammies all morning...
13. See #1!!!!

I survived....

Well...the week is over and I survived and it was a BLAST!!!!

Seeing friends that I hadn't seen in 10 years....I was worried I wouldn't recognize some. But as soon as I walked up to the football stands on Friday night and looked down I instanted recognized a dear friend....I think we both yelled and ran to each other!!! LOL!!! Lots of catching up...then a great surprise to see a friend who I didn't think would be there. A friend I have known since I was a baby...almost cried seeing her. She was my matron of honor and only lives an hour away (in the same town we went to school in) but life hasn't brought us together for about 6 years.

Saturday family picnic and Saturday night dinner/dance brought more fun, more time to visit and catch up. My fears of not recognizing people never really came to life as most of the people I really was excited to see I instantly knew who they were....like they had stepped out of our yearbook!!! There were a few of the "WHO is that???"...but usually for the people that I really didn't know well in school.

One thing I noticed was that we still kind of grouped together like we would have in high school. Saturday's lunch had those of us who were there sitting where and with those that we would have sat with 20 years ago. Dinner was the same....those who were close in school sat together and unfortunately some really didn't try to mingle with others. But I saw those I wanted to...caught up with those who I hadn't seen in 10-20 years and left me hoping that we don't lose contact again!

Is the week over yet???

Ohhh, that's right..it's ONLY Monday! Pretty bad when on Monday you are already thinking that the week has been too long and there are too many things to be done! Just wondering if there is ONE more thing I can cram into my days.....

My list of things to do, people to see, places to go for just this week:
1. work EVERYDAY! (WHY did I decide to take this job???? I miss my days off)
2. guitar practice, soccer practice tomorrow afternoon.....
3. meeting at April's to finalize things for the reunion, get things ready...
4. dinner 1+ hours north of here on Wed. with Dave's parents for E's birthday.
5. Give E his gifts...at some point before Friday.
6. Laundry...is it ever ending????
7. scout shopping trip for campout....
8. Soccer practice...again...
9. packing....for the reunion, scout camping trip...for 4 people!
10. finish making centerpieces for the reunion
11. make sure cameras are charged
12. A's parent/teacher conference on Friday at 7:20AM! What was his teacher thinking??????
13. A's field trip.....
14. Not to mention the daily..homework and house work!

I am excited about our 20 year reunion but nervous that it will all come out okay. Worried that the boys will be warm enough camping on Saturday night with scouts.

Will keep up here on how I am doing with my never ending list.....

Some cards...

This card set was made with 2 sheets of patterned paper and 3 sheets of cardstock! NO scraps left over....all of the papers were used!!! Oh, the complete set has 3 of each of these cards!

All the cards are made with CTMH products!

The end of another week....

Only 2 more weeks until I am off for the month of November....and so many exciting things going on between now and the end of November!!!!!

Getting excited for the reunion next week..hope it's as fun as I am hoping it will be!!!!! Oh and the EXCITING news is that Dave and I are going to a Billy Joel concert!!! I happened to come across that he was going to be in Fresno so on a whim I tried to get tickets and there were some left!!!!! I told Dave when I got home and he ordered some for us....he's always been a big huge fan and passed up an opportunity to see him play in college.

Other exciting news is that...on a whim I decided to try for a DT position at the new forum ScrapCity....well, I made it through the first cut!!!!! YEAH!!! A few more weeks and a crop the weekend of Oct. 26th and they will announce the final DT!!! Come check out the new site cause it's fun!

Also....check out the new club kit at The Shaker Box!!!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! Gonna have to get me one of those!

Indian Griding Rock

What a great day we had visiting Indian Grinding Rock State Park where the marblized limestone has over 1,000 bedrock mortars.....more than anywhere else in the country. This is where the Miwok Indian tribe of California lived. Since Evan just learned more about the Miwok's at 6th grade Outdoor Ed and Alex is learning about it in Social Studies we decided to take a drive up there today. A beautiful fall day.....

Thursday 13....

Okay...back for another edition of Rambling Thursday 13.....

1. 3 weeks to TRACK OFF!!!!! For those of you who don't know what that is....we are year-round education here....3 months in school and 1 month off. We 'track off' for the month on Oct. 26th and don't return until the Monday after Thanksgiving!

2. That means 4 1/2 weeks until DISNEYLAND!!!! Dave's mom and I are taking the boys to Disneyland for 3 days (gone 5....a day to drive each direction!)...I can't wait!!!! LOVE Disneyland and we haven't been in about 4 years!

3. Halloween....trying to teach the boys to be creative with their costumes and not have to buy some expensive, cheaply made costume from the store that will get outgrown or destroyed! I think they want to be rockers....a drummer and a guitarist!

4. Work is keeping me busy....which is the reason I am so excited for #1 in the list! I think we are all at our 'limits' right now and need a break!

5. Countdown to my 20 year high school reunion....only 2 weeks away!!!! I'm on the committee and need to make posters and the centerpieces for the tables. I'm really looking forward to seeing those who are showing up...however, out of a class of 165 people only about 40 classmates are actually going to the reunion. Kind of sucks...although a lot of the people not going are the ones who always looked down on others.

6. In 2 weeks I'll have an 11 year old! Can you believe that he'll be 11???? I can't...where did my little boy go! This week he's off at Outdoor Ed....6th graders go to our outdoor ed campus for 3 days...I'm sure he's having a blast. Not doing much for his birthday this year...it's the same weekend as the reunion (see #5) and a scout camping trip.

7. Soccer....would it be bad for me to say I am looking forward to it ending??? Alex is having fun but 2 practices a week and Saturday games is wearing on me. And while his coach is good, he seems to put a lot of pressure on them to win. Not too thrilled with him learning the winning is everything/the only thing at age 8!

8. Wondering if this long term job I have now will last only until Feb. or all year. While the money is nice (well, it will be when I get a paycheck!), I really miss the time I had last year to relax, spend unrushed time getting things done....feeling the pressures of workign full time again!

9. Fall...LOVE IT!!!! It's cooled off....this weekend I want to take a drive into the hills to visit a state park and then a couple wineries...hoping for some good fall color. Here's it's hit and miss for fall color...and when it starts to change it doesn't last long. Maybe even get our Christmas card photo taken somewhere....

10. Have you checked out the kits that Michele has put together at the Shaker Box??? Go check them out and get your hands on one of them!!!! Think I will go pick up an October one for myself.....

11. Have been having fun scrapping lately....was in a funk for a while but seemed to have gotten the groove back. Need to get busy on Christmas gifts.....those calendars! This year my dilemma is: I used to make 3...one for Dave, his dad and my dad. With my dad passing away, I had my brother take this year's calendar I had made for our dad. Now...do I continue to make 3 and make the 3rd one for my brother? Or go back to making 2? Maybe I'll make my brother a smaller one????

12. Just finished reading a couple AWESOME books: The Choice by N. Sparks...it's his new one and definately leaves you thinking about following the wishes of a loved one and whether to follow them in time of need. The other one was The Long Walk Home (sorry forgot the author)....which was also very thought provoking. I recommend both of them!

13. Tragedy struck our little school community yesterday....a little girl was crossing the street and was struck by a car. She has multiple breaks/fractures from head to toe, brain hemorages and had to have surgery to restore circulation in her legs. Really shook up our principal who lost a student years ago (at another school, in another town) the same way. Please keep little Rachel in your prayers.

God Bless you all...and have a great week!

Creative Sunday

Found a pattern for this box at Twisted-Chick's blog (http://twisted-chick.blogspot.com/). AMAZINGLY easy to do!!!! I had so much fun making the box that I needed to make a set of cards to go in it!!!!! Paper and stamps are all from Close to My Heart!

BOO

Wow..it's the end of September and Halloween is just around the corner!!! Bought these letters the other day and dug out some old Halloween paper I had....here's what I came up with! Going to submit these to the DT call for the Scrapcity message board! Not sure I'll get on the DT but having fun scrapping new things to try!!!!!

A moving ceremony...

A parade flag
A 48 star flag.....

During the campfire the scouts retired 2 flags and pieces of several others. I love the photo of the boys with the larger flag.....the campfire, the boys behind the flag saluting it....before they were retired the scoutmaster read a moving essay about the flag and while they were being retired someone played Taps....

Couple photos......

A lone fisherman......Evan sat all day trying to catch something.

A few photos from the scout camping trip last weekend. The sunset is what we watched while the boys were receiving awards/ranks/merit badges. Such a beautiful sight!

Thursday 13.....

Well...another week gone by.....another Thursday to list 13 things....

1. Alex is LOVING soccer.....he's got a tough coach (who's even lectured the parents) but Alex seems to respond to him!

2. 6th grade does not seem challenging enough for Evan.....pretty sad when the 3rd grader has more homework than the 6th grader!

3. Still working full time...and having some fun! Kids are pretty good and we have fun......

4. Evan just received 3 merit badges and his tenderfoot rank! I'm so proud of him....he's only a couple requirements away from his 2nd and 1st class ranks!!!

5. Have you ever been to a ceremony where a flag is retired and burned? What a moving experience. At the Court of Honor last weekend, the scouts retired 2 whole flags and pieces of some others. One of the flags was a parade flag and one had 48 stars....all the parents go pieces of flag to toss in the fire. It was an amazing thing to participate in.

6. We actually get to be home this weekend..maybe soccer season is a good thing...makes us stick around the house on weekends because of games!

7. My friend Michele at the Shaker Box just launched a new kit...go check it out (www.theshakerbox.com) it's pretty cool!!!!!

8. Excited that Survivor started up again....LOVE that show!!!! But WHY didn't they vote Ashley off tonight?? So don't like her......

9. hmmmm, have I run out of ideas??????

10. Reading a good book...well, just started it but it seems good... The Other Mother

11. I've been scrappin quite a bit lately...hoping to post more here this weekend!!!!

12. Go check out the Shaker Box Blog...I'll be posting there on Wednesdays!!!! http://theshakerkitclub.blogspot.com/

13. I'm starting a quilt/blanket for Evan to sew all his scout patches on for him! Going to be cute.....denim on one side (the side for the patches) and flannel on the back...the flannel has bears, paw prints, tents and compasses on it....so scout like!!!! Will post a photo when I get it done...

Finally...a layout

Well...finally got a layout finished. This is for Alex's album....used the CK Easy Patterns book for the sketch and pattern. Love the book as it tells you exactly how to cut the paper and lay it out. I tend to forget I have it. But the other day I was looking through one of my files of papers and found the book and several layouts I had already cut out!

Hopefully I can get a few more done today between cleaning, soccer and scouts!

Scrappin' again

Been a while since I have been scrappin! Seems like I took the entire month of August off from my paper, scissors and adhesives! They were feeling very neglected...so after a couple days of cleaning a few things up around here I finally sat back down to get reaquainted with some friends!!! Here's what I came up with. The first card is based on a sketch from The Shaker Box (Sandy does the greatest card sketches!). The other is my creation. Both using Close To My Heart stamps and Dream Street Papers.



Hope to tackle some Layouts later this week. I had cut a bunch of paper out using the CK Easy Patterns book and put together lots of paper/photos and then never got around to scrapping them. So my goal is to get those done before printing out more photos. Will post as I get them done.

Happy Sunday!

Can't tell you how happy I am to get to spend a weekend at home!!! Seems we have been on the go so much lately that we haven't spend a weekend at home in over a month. The boys are having a great time playing with hot wheels on the grass with the neighborhood boys.....later we are heading over to the college to watch the men's soccer team play.

Alex had his first soccer game yesterday......they played so well and won!!! Talk about some excited little boys! Alex played for the entire game.....never came out except for a 5 minute break between halves.

Started scrappin' again...hadn't done any in a long time but back to making a few cards. Really need to figure out what photos I have done and which I haven't and get busy on those! I know I am getting farther and farther behind!

Hope everyone else has had a blessed weekend!

Adventures in Backpacking.....

THE climb.........
Bear Lake...our destination!
Walking out....yep, a photo of me!!!!

Well......after about 28 years I strapped a backpack onto my back to enjoy some of God's country that is only accessable by foot. We had a great time...the hike was manageable with only one really big climb (which we were thrilled would be all downhill on our way home) and about 3 1/2 miles. Alex got off to a rough start (due to his pack being too heavy) but did great the rest of the way.....Evan was a trooper and when we got home and weighed our packs, was carrying only about 1-2 lbs less than me (and I had about 25 lbs!). Believe it or not...I'm ready to go again!!!!

A long time

Wow!!!! Sorry I've been away for so long.....not intended...had trouble logging onto Blogger (as well as other sites) and we just figured out the problem tonight....so I will be off making comments on everyone's blogs. I've been able to view them just couldn't sign on to post a comment. Whatever the issue was slowly started locking me out of other sites as well...such as our local library...couldn't request books! ACK!!!! TRAGIC!!!!!

So anyway...here I am....what's been going on in the past month????? Here's a run down....I'll do a 13 for Thursday to catch everyone up!

1. SCHOOL started!!!! For Alex that meant 3rd grade....for Evan, 6th grade and for me it meant back to work full time (at least for 6 months!). I think I am having the hardest time adjusting to it! I got spoiled last year!

2. CAMPING!!! We've gone on several camping trips....one to Sunset Beach with the Boy Scouts. Our first camping trip with the scouts...it was fun!!!! Got to know a few of the other parents a little more than just a "hi". The boys all played on the beach for about 7 hours.....

3. Which leads to Alex's worse sunburn (the worst sunburn I have EVER seen) EVER.......it was NASTY! It ended up blistering and then another child at school touched his back and broke open a blister.....NASTY!!!! Poor guy was in so much pain....now it's better but still pink so I make him wear a swim shirt if he goes in the pool!!!!!

4. CAMPING at Lake Alpine with my brother...always a GREAT time!!!!!

5. SOCCER...Alex is playing soccer for the first time...he loves it and is doing very well. He's definitely NOT afraid to get in there and go for the ball. Games start in a week....

6. BACKPACKING.......Dave and some of the scouts are planning a 50 mile pack trip for next summer...in the hope that I might like backpacking we are going on a mini trip this weekend...ONE night......4 miles in/4 miles out.....should be fun if it's not hot!

7. HOT!!! July was GREAT here...now that it's almost September it's HOT!!!!! Screen at school today said 109* as I was leaving at 2pm! YUCK! Even sitting out at the pool at 5pm was not pleasant!

8. A year older....yep! I'm another year older....a year closer to 40.....not that big of a deal. It was a nice day but kind of like all others!

9. 6th grade...Evan's in 6th grade! Last year of elementary school....it's going to be a tough year....he really wants to make it into Algebra 1 next year (a rare thing for a 7th grader) so he's going to have work his tail off in pre-Algebra this year. 6th grade outdoor ed is coming up...he's excited to go. Should be a great year for him......he even gets to be part of his schools morning news show (the 6th grade GATE kids run it)...so he'll soon be a tv star!!!!

10. Scrapbooking.....hmm, what's that???? Hasn't been happening here....hopefully soon!

11. Wow...a month and I can only come up with 10 things??????

12. OHH Got a new digital camera for my birthday......a little Canon Powershot...after going on a 6 mile hike with my canon rebel around my neck I decided that we needed a smaller camera to take with us hiking, biking, etc. And this way Dave can take one with him if he goes on a scout trip.

13. Be on the look out for some new photos!!!!!

Filling Dad's hat.....

I LOVE this photo of Evan taken on our hike this weekend....he wore this grin the ENTIRE time....never complained (during the entire 6.6 miles) and led the way most of the time. He had forgotten his hat at home and in the beginning didn't want to wear his dad's hat...but part-way in Dave just put it on his head....amazingly it FIT! Evan proudly wore it the remainder of the day (letting Dad get the sunburned head!). As he confidently hiked ahead of me (as I was going too slow for him to follow!), I was surprised at how much he looked like his dad...and how much my little boy was becoming a man. I think he was a little disappointed when the hike was over....claiming he could have gone longer (while Alex and I were REJOYCING at the site of the truck!!!)

Discovery.....

Our destination was Sword Lake......a beautiful, crystal blue lake surrounded by granite and towering trees. Round trip was 6.6 miles....LOTS of hills which reaffirmed the fact that I am OUT of shape!!!!

One of the views we came across during our hike.....NOTHING in the world is better than sitting atop a mountain looking out at this! A few times we would sit and listen.....the most peaceful noises....birds chirping, bugs buzzing.....no people, no cars.....nothing!

Five for Friday...

Okay...so I know technically it's not Friday YET....but in a mere 2 1/2 hours it will be....and for most of you who actually read my boring blog, it is Friday!!!!! So anyway...thought I would throw out a 5 for Friday this week.....


1. It has been such a nice relaxing week here....one of those weeks where we really didn't have any place we really needed to be at any certain time....well, at least during the daytime...evenings were different!

2. We had a wonderful time at VBS this week....at least the boys and I did...Dave only made it tonight (but I didn't go tonight!). They based it on the book Charolette's Web and each evening after dinner (yep, dinner was served every night!) and the children were dismissed to their activities the adults discussed the book and Christianity....themes were justice, salvation, Templeton (selfishness), miracles and helping others.

3. I've been in a slump with scrapbooking lately....maybe I need to get some new photos printed out to get my mojo to come back from vacation! However, I have been working on 25 ladybug cards for my dear friend, Leta who is battling breast cancer (just had her first chemo treatment). If you can, please say a prayer for her!

4. We are going CAMPING this weekend!!! I am so excited....we didn't think we would get in a family (just the 4 of us) trip this summer with scouts and Dave's work...but we decided the other night just to toss our stuff in the trailer and truck and go! We're heading high into the mountains where it will be cooler!!!! Hoping also to take the boys on a hike that Dave and I did many many years ago....

5. Only one more week of vacation left for Alex and I......wondering how I will do working full time for a while....been a while since I had to do that. The district even invited me to a training next week...think I should go as it pertains directly to my sub job...and another day getting paid won't be too bad....

There ya have it.....5 GREAT things!!!!!

Sweet boys of summer......

Caught a couple photos of the boys as they played in the pool this evening...the sun was setting as they were splashing and dancing in the pool (Evan was trying to teach Alex some of the camp songs).