tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19482676887476400782024-03-13T17:29:54.271-04:00Life in LayoutWelcome family and friends, to my digital scrapbook.~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-16416234912341664202010-05-19T12:47:00.000-04:002010-05-19T12:47:17.379-04:00Jonas singing 50 States SongJonas is singing the 50 States song with his Sing Your Way to Knowledge Class. End of year homeschool co-op program. I don't post here much anymore, due to the ease of sharing with Facebook. This is for all of our friends and family who are not on Facebook. : ). If you are viewing, do you mind to leave a comment? I don't mind to continue to post pics, but only if we have friends or family viewing.<br />
Thanks!~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-73644774154323461562010-01-30T08:13:00.000-05:002010-01-30T08:13:01.864-05:00Hilton Head Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/S2QudAP6pBI/AAAAAAAAAr4/YWex1ATvwCs/s1600-h/Picture+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/S2QudAP6pBI/AAAAAAAAAr4/YWex1ATvwCs/s320/Picture+039.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/S2QuottztNI/AAAAAAAAAsA/GkcXRSZdH8A/s1600-h/Picture+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/S2QuottztNI/AAAAAAAAAsA/GkcXRSZdH8A/s320/Picture+037.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/S2QvY14PXlI/AAAAAAAAAsY/k6TkvpBlqOs/s1600-h/Picture+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/S2QvY14PXlI/AAAAAAAAAsY/k6TkvpBlqOs/s320/Picture+025.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/S2Qu0U6sj5I/AAAAAAAAAsI/ONmFk-ozdxM/s1600-h/Picture+053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/S2Qu0U6sj5I/AAAAAAAAAsI/ONmFk-ozdxM/s320/Picture+053.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On our way to Disney we took a 30-mile detour and stopped on Hilton Head Island, S.C. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront. We arrived just before sunset and enjoyed a lovely, albeit chilly, walk along the beach. Our room had a terrific sunrise view. We hit the road the next morning after taking a morning beach stroll and feeding the seagulls (bottom photo).</div>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-16295753044982478492010-01-19T14:44:00.004-05:002010-01-20T09:02:31.805-05:00Disney Vacation Highlights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/S1YMougbMrI/AAAAAAAAArE/p8NlEoklUXI/s1600-h/Disney+Trip2010+211_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/S1YMougbMrI/AAAAAAAAArE/p8NlEoklUXI/s640/Disney+Trip2010+211_edited-1.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><a href="http://www.photoshopshowcase.com/ViewFlashMedia.aspx?AID=272118&AT=3">http://www.photoshopshowcase.com/ViewFlashMedia.aspx?AID=272118&AT=3</a><br />
Wow, is it difficult to organize, and narrow down 800+ photos for sharing! We had a great vacation, and we did so very much. These photos are just a few of the highlights. We went into this vacation considering it a one-time shot, in the event that money, circumstances, or other vacation choices prevent us from going back...so we made the most out of it.<br />
<br />
We stayed at Disney (highly recommend), and got the dining package (also highly recommend). These two factors allowed us to spend even more time at the parks (more fun). We spent the first four Disney days with a full day at each of the four parks (Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot). We opened and closed the parks on those days. On the fifth day, we rested a bit in the morning, swam in the outdoor pool (it happened to be the warmest day of the cold front/arctic belt), and then we repeated Epcot. On the sixth day we repeated Hollywood Studios, and on our final day we ended like we started, with the Magic Kingdom. Animal Kingdom was the only park at which we only spent one day, but we chose to spend the day there with the extra magic hours (available to resort guests), so we got to stay at the park an additional 3 hours after it closed (5p-8p).<br />
<br />
I had planned to make a scrapbook of all the photos, but due to the size of the project, I think I'll end up making a Blurb book, or DVD, and just extra individualized layouts, or 8x8 scrapbooks, for each of the kids (from their perspective, their favorites, etc.).<br />
<br />
Try to plan a family vacation in your near future! It was the first time we had spent a entire week away from home, <em>just for the pursuit of recreation!</em> Kids grow up so fast, and those memories will be unique and special. Craig and I both expressed a desire to spend a week away <em>every year (</em>in addition to visiting familiy and weekend trips<em>)</em>, even if it's just camping 20 miles away! Who can't afford that, right?~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-11781367436111393242010-01-01T09:45:00.001-05:002010-01-01T09:52:29.765-05:00My Simple StoriesOkay, so here is the link to this new scrapbooking system by Memory Works. <br />
<a href="http://simplestories.typepad.com/">http://simplestories.typepad.com/</a><br />
<br />
I love it, and did I say I love the price??? I don't really get excited about something unless it's a good value! $16.99 for a kit that will organize an entire year's worth of memories is a great deal!<br />
<br />
You can order directly from Memory Works (from link, find Memory Works logo on right side, and click on Memory Works Home), using my consultant # - <span style="color: purple;">MW638908</span>. If you live in the Tri-Cities area I can show you the kit, or you can host a crop session for a live, hands-on demo (just think...it would only take one Saturday to document 2009!)<br />
<br />
I wll be off-line for a little while, but be sure to leave a comment if you'd like more info. I look forward to posting my Simple Stories completed months here on the blog. I hope it will inspire you to document YOUR memories in 2010.<br />
<br />
Happy New Year, and may God bless you and yours in 2010!~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-55398015264240237102009-12-31T09:19:00.001-05:002009-12-31T09:23:07.360-05:00A new, innovative way to simplify scrapbooking!I joined the company Memory Works as a consultant about a year ago. It was affordable - a great deal for getting discount prices on my favorite brands of scrapbooking supplies. Memory Works has recently revealed their first, exclusively Memory Works, product line - Simple Stories. It is a super-affordable, simplified (and cute!) way to get your memories documented, and I can't wait to get my hands on it! Check it out, and let me know what you think. <br />
<br />
Click on the link below for a video preview... more to come tomorrow!<br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/7987560">Simple Stories, by Memory Works</a>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-11352392284998110402009-12-30T12:06:00.005-05:002009-12-30T12:10:45.189-05:00Christmas 2004<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SzuHkLIdnQI/AAAAAAAAAqs/mF6d09HqGFo/s1600-h/RnMtnCabin.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SzuHkLIdnQI/AAAAAAAAAqs/mF6d09HqGFo/s320/RnMtnCabin.jpg" /></a> <br />
</div></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">These Christmas memories remind me that Christmas can be celebrated any time. My in-laws came for a visit between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We stayed at a mountain cabin for a few days. It was the funnest Christmas time! We played games, hiked, and just hung out. The kids loved their pretty ornament night-lights, games, and even flannel sheets that Grandma and Grandpa gave them.</span><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is just a quick collage I made with Picasa. I had to delete so many good photos just to get it to this point...but it's still too busy for me. Instead of chucking it, I'll just make additional scrap pages for each of the kid's albums. That way I can enlarge some of these photos on each page. (These pages I made for the holiday album were created before Christmas. Pages I had planned, but didn't get to, will get created next holiday season... when I'm in the mood again.)</span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I'd love to hear about fun, non-traditional holiday memories you may have! </span><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: 0% 50%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
</div>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-15809065878084302872009-12-29T10:38:00.000-05:002009-12-29T10:38:12.935-05:00Moving Forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SzoaHkos6rI/AAAAAAAAAqk/jc4PrIz6kxU/s1600-h/2009DecChristmas+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SzoaHkos6rI/AAAAAAAAAqk/jc4PrIz6kxU/s400/2009DecChristmas+005.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I took this photo yesterday after I packed it all up. I really do cherish Christmas. I know that, with young children, right now the season is as magical, and full, as it gets! As soon as I get the Thanksgiving dishes put away, I have always been eager to decorate and celebrate the Christmas season. Parodoxically, as soon as Christmas is over, I am just as eager to clean up and move forward! No, I don't pack it up with the same glee that accompanies decorating; but the anticipation of a minimalist, clean space motivates me to attack the job quickly! It's been since my kids were babies that I have left the tree and decor up until New Year's Day; and then I was enjoying mothering little ones to much to be too concerned (or maybe all the clutter that came with little ones made it difficult to see, or care about, the Christmas clutter!)<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Regardless, I think the more I enjoy the season, the sooner I am ready to say goodbye to another Christmas. Was I busy? <strong><span style="color: #274e13;">YES</span></strong>. Did I do everything I had planned? Absolutely <strong><span style="color: #274e13;">NOT</span></strong>. Does it mattter? <em><strong><span style="color: #274e13;">Not at all</span></strong>. </em>I shopped, cooked, wrapped, cleaned and worked. I also reminisced, socialized, played (this year we even got to play in real snow!), reflected, prayed, created, and rested. It's <span style="color: #274e13;"><em><strong>ALL</strong></em> </span>good. This contemplation of celebrating, and living, to the fullest put me in mind of the following quote:<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>"We only live once, but once is enough if we do it right. Live your life with class, dignity, and style so that an exclamation, rather than a question mark signifies it!”</em></strong> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> ~Gary Ryan Blair</span></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-56683912957000185482009-12-28T10:01:00.008-05:002009-12-28T10:08:15.391-05:00Christmas Present<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Szi6nrCNDpI/AAAAAAAAAqU/B3CTwmOB4Ow/s1600-h/2009DecChristmas+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Szi6nrCNDpI/AAAAAAAAAqU/B3CTwmOB4Ow/s400/2009DecChristmas+018.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">It was nice to host Christmas at our house this year. Our immediate family stayed in jammies all day. Cousin Nichole arrived in her robe, but she was the only guest brave enough to do so! After brunch Papa read the Christmas account, and we lit our advent cross, before opening gifts from each other. </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Szi6Y51GPqI/AAAAAAAAAqM/9UEvadAU5o4/s1600-h/2009DecChristmas+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Szi6Y51GPqI/AAAAAAAAAqM/9UEvadAU5o4/s400/2009DecChristmas+020.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Santa brought the kids Beatles Rock Band (even the adults enjoyed it immensely) and they received lots of great gifts from the extended family, as w</span>ell. <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The biggest surprise was the gift that we (mom and dad) gave the kids....but I think I'll wait and show pics of that in the near future. (I don't know if I'm more excited about the gift itself, or that we worked hard in 2009 to save for it, and pay cash for it). Enough of that... for now. </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We ate plenty on Christmas, and we played lots of games in between (Canasta, Scrabble Slam, Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader, and lots of Wii). We also celebrated my dad's birthday with a strawberry cheesecake ice cream cake from </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Baskin Robbins.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div align="right" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Szi6B3XHecI/AAAAAAAAAqE/SxRJEVvfMGI/s1600-h/2009DecChristmas+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Szi6B3XHecI/AAAAAAAAAqE/SxRJEVvfMGI/s400/2009DecChristmas+014.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-60248676957592086832009-12-22T08:05:00.002-05:002009-12-22T08:08:28.098-05:00Christmas 2003<div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SzDBttVWtTI/AAAAAAAAAps/Ttxh2ygDlbc/s1600-h/Nov-Dec03.jpg'><img src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SzDBttVWtTI/AAAAAAAAAps/Ttxh2ygDlbc/s400/Nov-Dec03.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br />
This was also Jonas' first Christmas. I will make a real paper and glue scrap page for his book. (This one is for our family Christmas album that I'm working on.) I love how enthralled Jonas was with Grandpa's Christmas train (for his page, I'll zoom in on that photo...I'll also got a few more cute, similar photos that's I'll include on it). I also love how sweet the kids were with each other when they were younger. The get along well now (most of the time); but, needless to say at 11 and 9 years old, they're not quite as affectionate! My brother is in this photo. He lived/lives out of state, so holidays are extra special when he is home!<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-82164154975149187322009-12-17T08:55:00.003-05:002009-12-17T09:09:22.862-05:00...more kite flying<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyoyZynoZ2I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/zF3VSm6-Fd4/s1600-h/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyoyZynoZ2I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/zF3VSm6-Fd4/s400/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416196920532559714" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyoyEhzMqiI/AAAAAAAAAgI/Jsk6bbnGrvM/s1600-h/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyoyEhzMqiI/AAAAAAAAAgI/Jsk6bbnGrvM/s400/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416196555240417826" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyoxvkYC36I/AAAAAAAAAgA/BX8eqCWC0TU/s1600-h/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyoxvkYC36I/AAAAAAAAAgA/BX8eqCWC0TU/s400/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416196195154583458" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Syowg_k-IXI/AAAAAAAAAf4/kVaov-uHSAQ/s1600-h/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Syowg_k-IXI/AAAAAAAAAf4/kVaov-uHSAQ/s400/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416194845246890354" /></a> <br />
(click on photo to enlarge)<br />
<br />
I decided to add more of these photos for family, and just because I like looking at them so much! These sunny photos taken just a week ago are visual therapy on this obviously winter day. I love the sunshine, the color, and the mountains in the background. I love that we live in this temperate climate where we will enjoy brief respites, such as this, throughout our winter.~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-58013366580901418852009-12-13T13:14:00.007-05:002009-12-14T15:04:05.682-05:00Let's go fly a kite!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyU5cjwHhpI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/taFihF5rZY0/s1600-h/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyU5cjwHhpI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/taFihF5rZY0/s400/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414797289779070610" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyU3eJ1LyYI/AAAAAAAAAfI/nbtDN3S2CC0/s1600-h/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyU3eJ1LyYI/AAAAAAAAAfI/nbtDN3S2CC0/s400/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414795118157482370" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyU2hPQ9OKI/AAAAAAAAAfA/KtmtfI-Q7wM/s1600-h/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyU2hPQ9OKI/AAAAAAAAAfA/KtmtfI-Q7wM/s400/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414794071644125346" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyU1barFTTI/AAAAAAAAAe4/FBus0WkKWRA/s1600-h/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyU1barFTTI/AAAAAAAAAe4/FBus0WkKWRA/s400/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414792872115653938" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyUyR78YfQI/AAAAAAAAAew/7kg7aTrpwO4/s1600-h/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyUyR78YfQI/AAAAAAAAAew/7kg7aTrpwO4/s400/2009DecemberFlyingKitesUncleDean+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414789410713009410" /></a><br />We had a couple of unexpected events last Wednesday: Craig's Uncle Dean from Iowa was in the area and stopped by for an overnight visit. We also had a crazy windstorm. The surrounding mountains usually provide a windbreak, so it's rare that we get enough wind to even ruffle the hair. Daddy came home early due to Uncle Dean's visit, so we took advantage of the circumstances and headed to the park to fly kites (too many trees on our property). <br />(It wasn't all good though...we lost our patio table in the windstorm. It blew over and the glass top shattered.)~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-51894204615068122162009-12-11T14:43:00.001-05:002009-12-11T14:46:33.130-05:00Christmas Past<div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyKg-0isWDI/AAAAAAAAAeo/Jzm0rFgVsdw/s1600-h/CHRISTMASPHOTOSOLD.jpg'><img src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SyKg-0isWDI/AAAAAAAAAeo/Jzm0rFgVsdw/s320/CHRISTMASPHOTOSOLD.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br />This is me and my little brother on Christmas Day. I think it's 1975, but the year could possibly be 1976. This photo brings back many good memories for me, of both happy Christmas and my baby brother.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-16056015794725649232009-12-08T12:57:00.002-05:002009-12-08T13:00:29.136-05:00Christmas Tree Lighting<div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Sx6TnbiefsI/AAAAAAAAAaw/dsGTxawzjh4/s1600-h/2009NovemberRoanMtnThanksgivingAngelaJonesboroughPerryMohawk1.jpg'><img src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Sx6TnbiefsI/AAAAAAAAAaw/dsGTxawzjh4/s320/2009NovemberRoanMtnThanksgivingAngelaJonesboroughPerryMohawk1.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br />(Picasa collage, using photo as background. Angela, Nichole, Rayanna, and Santa)<br /><br />My cousin came down from Chicago for a surprise Thanksgiving visit! The following Saturday the entire family headed to a Christmas tree lighting. The choir sang beautifully; their voices sounded like instruments... I could have sworn they were lip-syncing. One of the churches offered free cider and cocoa, too. :)<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-62700989233206338412009-12-04T16:12:00.000-05:002009-12-04T16:12:22.716-05:00Another Picasa Collage<div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Sxl7NXzOLWI/AAAAAAAAAWA/RO7-AmKSY0o/s1600-h/2009NovemberRoanMtnThanksgivingAngelaJonesboroughPerryMohawk.jpg'><img src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Sxl7NXzOLWI/AAAAAAAAAWA/RO7-AmKSY0o/s320/2009NovemberRoanMtnThanksgivingAngelaJonesboroughPerryMohawk.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br />Did I say I love Picasa??? I think I might actually catch up on my scrapbooking using this! Did I mention it is FREE??? Did I say that you can print the collages you make at home, or order prints??? I think I'm addicted. Maybe I can remain excited long enough to catch up with photos I haven't printed (much less, scrapped!), while still scrapping those special photos, and other photos that I'm inspired to scrap.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-75027377375029639552009-12-04T15:19:00.000-05:002009-12-04T15:20:17.746-05:00Perry's Mohawk<div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SxlvAImxn7I/AAAAAAAAAU8/m3rUmn9kbjc/s1600-h/Unnamed.jpg'><img src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SxlvAImxn7I/AAAAAAAAAU8/m3rUmn9kbjc/s320/Unnamed.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-50184908510012617962009-09-30T17:49:00.012-04:002009-12-09T08:35:22.708-05:00Just for Today<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SsPZBzcN27I/AAAAAAAAASQ/cazbZ2yItu8/s1600-h/2009Aug14CampingRockCreek+061.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387388204276898738" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SsPZBzcN27I/AAAAAAAAASQ/cazbZ2yItu8/s400/2009Aug14CampingRockCreek+061.jpg" /></a> <font color="#009900">Perry and I at Rock Creek Falls/camping trip</font><br /><br /><br /><font size="5"><strong>I am<br /></strong></font><em></em></div><br /><div><em>Listening</em> to Norah Jones Pandora station.<br /><em>Drinking</em> herbal tea.<br /><em>Reading</em> Addiction-Proof Your Child.<br /><em>Anticipating</em> another change in our schedule/routine. The kids'gymnastic teacher wants P to be on the competitive boys team (yay!). We think this will be a great opportunity - it's a terrific physical outlet for Perry and God has blessed him with natural ability for the sport *and* the desire (this is the biggie for him!) It's just the thought of the 2x week, 5-hour practices that has me stuck on how to revise our current schedule.<br /><em>Teaching</em> mental math to J; improper fractions to R; and greatest common denominator to P. (math theme this week?)<br /><em>Learning</em> that pre-teen kids don't always want to be around their moms, or their younger siblings; but what they do seem to want, even more, is one-on-one time and to be treated as an individual.<br /><em>Grateful</em> that I can post on my blog. I no longer have to work evenings. I want to make the most of every moment (without trying to do too much...isn't that the dilemna of every busy mother?) Working all the time helped me to appreciate the time I do have. Right now. Today. With just twenty minutes I can read a book to my kids, post to my blog, exercise, take a bath, scrap (okay, maybe just half a page).<br />Let's see what I can do with the next twenty minutes or so... </div>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-2788224932717579722009-09-17T09:43:00.008-04:002009-09-17T10:06:55.563-04:00Searching for Peace<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SrI_HcSITWI/AAAAAAAAASA/WLal0o4Wlic/s1600-h/2009September+117.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382433901745032546" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SrI_HcSITWI/AAAAAAAAASA/WLal0o4Wlic/s400/2009September+117.jpg" /></a><br /><em><strong><font color="#33ccff">Just for today</font></strong></em><br /><font color="#3366ff">I am</font><br />Feeling: overwhelmed! Gymastics, library, shopping for tomorrow's art and science co-op supplies, school, workout, and 5-hour shift of work tonight. How will I get it all done???<br />Thinking: about how I have less than 2 weeks of my job! I can then focus solely on my full-time job of motherhood again!<br />Hearing: my youngest pack his sack lunch for our day of errands and realizing that I almost forgot about the road food! (overwhelmed again)<br />Praying: for peace amidst the chaos.<br />Ready: to get my laundry room out of my livingroom. Our washing machine broke down Tuesday. Our new one will be in today. The visual clutter is doing nothing to bring peace to my chaotic day! Wow, I will have alot of laundry this weekend (overwhelmed again).<br />Praying: for peace amidst the chaos!!!<br />Looking: for a calm picture thought... how'd I do? It's Silver Beach on Lake Michigan, St. Joseph, MI. We reunited with a high school friend of mine. She has 3 kids, too. We had an absolutely wonderful day with our families on the beach. I hadn't been back since high school. I forgot about the restorative powers of The Lake (unlike the small ones we have here)...similiar to the ocean, and I'm sure it's why the locals here drive to the ocean in droves. It's a quality I can't describe, but I think it has something to do with not being able to see to the other side. Blue for miles....it's a God thing. </div>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-43664266607509733892009-09-02T10:33:00.015-04:002009-09-02T11:04:20.227-04:00Simple Woman's Daybook<span style="color:#cc33cc;">A photo thought to share:</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Sp6FeC7cMCI/AAAAAAAAAR4/mNcpn5kOFx0/s1600-h/2009Father%27sDayAtHome+030.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376881756355702818" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Sp6FeC7cMCI/AAAAAAAAAR4/mNcpn5kOFx0/s400/2009Father%27sDayAtHome+030.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;">Just for today, I am</span></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br />thinking: about my brother becoming a father today or tomorrow and wishing I was there to give him a hug</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div><br />thankful for: children who are becoming good people</div><br /><div></div><div>wearing: shorts and t-shirt</div><div></div><br /><div>creating: a photo frame collage for my new niece</div><div></div><br /><div>going: nowhere but my front yard to soak up the sunshine and the sounds of nature</div><div></div><br /><div>reading: Breaking Dawn</div><div></div><br /><div>hearing: the washing machine, dishwasher, and humming from my 11-year old while he's working on his math</div><div></div><br /><div>A few plans for rest of week: leaving tomorrow for Indiana, with my family, to meet my new niece</div><div></div><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Thanks to Joy for the inspiration. It made me want to post for the first time since.... well, that's my point - I can't remember.<br /></span><br />If you'd like to participate in the daybook, or read other daybooks, check out this site:<br /><a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/</a>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-21998680907565715122009-06-12T23:23:00.003-04:002009-06-12T23:34:26.354-04:00Live from Montana<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SjMdh_qPMpI/AAAAAAAAARw/_SPZ0PBg3ro/s1600-h/IMG_6089.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346649652480389778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SjMdh_qPMpI/AAAAAAAAARw/_SPZ0PBg3ro/s400/IMG_6089.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SjMdhu47T2I/AAAAAAAAARo/e_QOqM2IadY/s1600-h/IMG_6106.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346649647978598242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SjMdhu47T2I/AAAAAAAAARo/e_QOqM2IadY/s400/IMG_6106.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Hello here from MT here are photos that I took:</div></div>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-53415131963232915312009-06-07T21:59:00.010-04:002009-06-07T22:27:15.373-04:00Go West, Young Man!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Six0bhILwdI/AAAAAAAAARg/M3udQZZbVjU/s1600-h/IMG_5923%5B2%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344774873879921106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Six0bhILwdI/AAAAAAAAARg/M3udQZZbVjU/s400/IMG_5923%5B2%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Six0TIIpIFI/AAAAAAAAARY/1VuhOFRCcuc/s1600-h/IMG_5950%5B1%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344774729732005970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Six0TIIpIFI/AAAAAAAAARY/1VuhOFRCcuc/s400/IMG_5950%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Six0NaHJjYI/AAAAAAAAARQ/YFztMWLsxxQ/s1600-h/IMG_5986%5B2%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344774631478365570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Six0NaHJjYI/AAAAAAAAARQ/YFztMWLsxxQ/s400/IMG_5986%5B2%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Sixz6nNzkpI/AAAAAAAAARI/NJlRkxtnqz8/s1600-h/IMG_6041%5B2%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344774308578431634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Sixz6nNzkpI/AAAAAAAAARI/NJlRkxtnqz8/s400/IMG_6041%5B2%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SixztK5qaTI/AAAAAAAAARA/wFr_bPQFB_w/s1600-h/IMG_6106%5B2%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344774077639452978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SixztK5qaTI/AAAAAAAAARA/wFr_bPQFB_w/s400/IMG_6106%5B2%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a> Perry (my oldest, just-turned-eleven-year-old-son) has been spending time with his grandparents in Montana. He took pictures from the road, and their camping stops en route to Montana - the Grand Tetons in Wyoming, and Yellowstone (he got to see Old Faithful - I'm jealous!). They arrived at their home in Montana one week after Perry's road trip began from Tennessee. Upon arrival Perry uploaded, and e-mailed to me, photos of the pictures he took with his camera. The bottom photo is a picture Perry took last Friday (since arriving) on a drive to the Bison Range in Montana.<br /><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-92231720218159280762009-05-29T20:41:00.008-04:002009-05-29T21:06:44.566-04:00Mother's Day<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SiCDbbVkbvI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/DbiP7d5nyS4/s1600-h/mothersday09+020.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341413665279340274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SiCDbbVkbvI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/DbiP7d5nyS4/s400/mothersday09+020.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#006600;">Perry<br /></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SiCC8bteB-I/AAAAAAAAAQw/WmVs3nVVDZ0/s1600-h/mothersday09+099.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341413132803639266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SiCC8bteB-I/AAAAAAAAAQw/WmVs3nVVDZ0/s400/mothersday09+099.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#cc33cc;"> Rayanna<br /></span><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SiCCeiXji4I/AAAAAAAAAQo/p4GBIl9MIMg/s1600-h/mothersday09+045.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341412619194698626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SiCCeiXji4I/AAAAAAAAAQo/p4GBIl9MIMg/s400/mothersday09+045.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#000099;"> Jonas<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SiCBPo8wPeI/AAAAAAAAAQg/v2Uod2qKiKY/s1600-h/mothersday09+100.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341411263751667170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/SiCBPo8wPeI/AAAAAAAAAQg/v2Uod2qKiKY/s400/mothersday09+100.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#993399;">Bottom -</span> Mother's Day photo gift for my mom - Baby Riley, my niece who is due to arrive in August, inspired this project. I also have a dear friend who is expecting a baby boy in July, so I've had baby on the brain lately! It's inspired me to pull out all my baby photos. I had intentions of making a "Me and My Grandkids" scrapbook for my mom; but I found sooo many pictures of her with my babies, that I quickly became overwhelmed. I narrowed photos down to newborn photos, 3 per child, leaving 3 spaces reserved for Riley pics in this 12-photo frame. I just placed cardstock behind the openings so that it would look cute to go ahead and display.<br /></span></div><span style="color:#00cccc;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#993399;">Above -</span> Mother's Day was gorgeous! We spent a few hours at the lake. We had the beach to ourselves and the water was warm enough for swimming!<br /></span></span><div></div><br /></div></div>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-61226054991559302182009-05-10T09:33:00.003-04:002009-05-10T09:38:23.638-04:00Happy Mother's Day!<span style="color:#cc33cc;">Click above to see a smilebox I made of two most special moms to me - my mom and my aunt Mid.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Have a grateful day, ALL you mommies~</span>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-4980218484833652742009-05-01T10:01:00.008-04:002009-05-01T10:31:22.073-04:00Breaking Out of A Creative Rut<a href="http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2009/05/life-art-top-tips-breaking-out-of-a-creative-rut.html">Breaking Out of A Creative Rut</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com/">ShareThis</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Loved this post today (click on link above) by scrapbooking celebrity/life artist, Ali Edwards. I can totally relate - it's where I'm at. Funny, I am already doing one thing she recommends - trying something different for a while. For me, it's a couple of quick and easy projects I'm working on - one for Mother's Day, and another for my son's 11th birthday. I think it's doing the trick for me - allowing me to maintain my habit of creativity (and feel productive!), while still giving me extra time to enjoy this nice weather and all the activities it brings - ;).<br /><br />I'll share my finished projects soon.<br /><br />Have a great weekend!~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-52562896760600014062009-04-21T08:25:00.005-04:002009-04-21T08:57:04.972-04:00Game Night<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Se29Q-PAOyI/AAAAAAAAAPg/Wy8h14z6ffU/s1600-h/MSHA+Trunk-or-Treat,+10-30-08+163.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327122033530649378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Se29Q-PAOyI/AAAAAAAAAPg/Wy8h14z6ffU/s400/MSHA+Trunk-or-Treat,+10-30-08+163.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Se28fYSDxxI/AAAAAAAAAPY/DM0LuYH_1sI/s1600-h/MSHA+Trunk-or-Treat,+10-30-08+162.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327121181529327378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Se28fYSDxxI/AAAAAAAAAPY/DM0LuYH_1sI/s400/MSHA+Trunk-or-Treat,+10-30-08+162.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Se28Ow8F-QI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/lGhOPT_A_OA/s1600-h/MSHA+Trunk-or-Treat,+10-30-08+165.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327120896090306818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5HrccsnqopE/Se28Ow8F-QI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/lGhOPT_A_OA/s400/MSHA+Trunk-or-Treat,+10-30-08+165.jpg" border="0" /></a>The kids have a tradition of making their game player pieces. This started a couple years ago when we picked up a cool game at a swap and brought it home, only to find out the player pieces were missing. The Pictionary game is an example of one where we actually do have the little pencil pieces - the kids just preferred to create their own! Even though my kids came up with the idea (and not me), I would highly recommend starting this with your own family so that when you lose a game piece it's not the end of the world - lol. These photos were taken last Oct - we were on a Pictionary kick that continued through Nov. I don't want to use an entire 12x12 page on these photos, so I think I will make a "Family Time" layout, and try to squeeze a couple more family/home/activity photos on the page. I could make a smaller page, but I'm currently into sticking with 12x12 albums for easier/neater storage. I'll post it when I get it done.</div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948267688747640078.post-11408943747712026372009-04-20T10:38:00.004-04:002009-04-20T10:44:45.345-04:00Camper for SaleOkay, so this isn't related, but since it's my blog, and my camper that I need to sell...;)<br />Click on the above post title <span style="color:#990000;">Camper for Sale</span> to see the Craig's list ad w/photos, if you're interested. Have a great Monday!~Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03927834278589642296noreply@blogger.com0