Awesome new sketch blog

Here's the first layout I've done based off a sketch found at the latest and greatest sketch blog out there, Sketch It!

I did the second sketch. It's not identical, but then that's the point right? to find inspiration from the sketch and make it your own. So this is what I came up with. BTW, this is a digi page.
Credits: Everything I used is by LaWanna DesJardin. I used one of her Weathered Swish Stamps. and I used some papers from both her Spring Sass Mini kit and her Spring Sass Sampler. The font used is Chacuer. Cutie in the pic is mine, this was one of his Easter pic this year.

whew!

it's been a long time since I blogged! been a bit busy. just got off of a 5 days in a row stint at work. and boy am I pooped! This is so not what I signed up for, lol. And to top it all off I've been a bit crabby the last few days. Tired and crabby make for a not enjoyable to be around mama in this house. But I'm feeling a bit better. Should be totally back to normal in a day or so. nothing out of the ordinary, this is normal for me. :)
Thrilled to have worked out the details of our next trip hom. Can hardly wait!!!!
I just want to pop in for a sec and let ya'll know I hadn't fallen off the face of the earth. Have a really light work week this week so I will hopefully be able to get a page of two done and lots of stuff around the house. Here's to hoping anyway!

Happy National Scrapbook Day!

Here are three new layouts (digi)
Marcia and Harry at Tom and Jen’s wedding
My hubby’s parents at his cousin’s wedding. (let it be known that my father in law is a real stinker when it comes to taking pictures, he usually sticks out his tongue!)
Layout Credits: Template is a Jumpstart by AmyW. Kit used is Heirloom Orchid by Ashley Bailey of digitaldivasdesigns.
Font used is Chaucer


Felicia
These are pictures of me taken in our 2nd apartment. I’m going to guess they were taken in 2001, because it looks like we had just moved in. The pictures aren’t that great (the camera we had at the time wasn’t fantastic). These are just about the only picture of me alone; I’m a bit camera shy!
Layout Credits: I started with a Template by RubyQHammer. The papers and elements are from “Spring Is Sprung” by Ashley Bailey of http://www.digitaldivasdesigns.com/.
Font Credits: Selfish








Sisters
This is a picture of my husband’s mom and aunts when they were younger.
Layout Credits: Herbal Garden Kit by Ashley Bailey
Template1 from Kwikplate2 set
Font Credits: Times new roman, Trajan Pro

Lucky

These are pictures I took on St. Patty's Day this year. I knew I had to do something with them, but just hadn't gotten around to it. Then I got these digi paper yesterday and new what I wanted to do with them right away.

Layout Credits: Template from Tempting Templates set 3 by Laura Burger ( I took out a lay and moved some stuff around to get it how I wanted it.). Kit used-Morning Sunshine Mega Kit from digitaldivasdesigns (Ashley Bailey’s part)
Font Credits: Selfish

LO of Walk America

journaling reads:
up @ 5am
Train downtown
DunkinDonuts
Starbucks
6.2mile walk
Drag ourselves home
March of Dimes WalkAmerica
Chicago LakeFront
April 29, 2007
Laurie and I did this walk the 1st time when we were in High School, we’ve only missed the walk due to pregnancies or really bad weather!
Font Jester
Kit is LaWanna DesJardin's Sassy mini kit
Template from her designer spotlight chat @ Oscraps

March of Dimes WalkAmerica

So here's our team before the walk. Laurie and I had to catch the train at 6:05 in the MORNING!!! on a SUNDAY!!! to be there in time to register. With there being fewer trains on the weekend that was the latest train that would get us there in time to register and walk. So we got downtown a little before 7am (let me mention that I don't usually get up before 7:30..and yet here I was showered, dressed and up and about) and registration started at 8am. So we wandered a bit found a Dunkin Donuts (breakfast of champions, no?) and a Starbucks to get breakfast (Kev it's all your fault for hooking me on the Green Tea Fraps! that's ok I love you anyway...and besides they taste SOOOOO good!). So we wandered back over a little before 8 and were some of the first to register. We sat on the curb at the starting line and ate our breakfast, since the walk didn't start until 9. We walked the 6.2 miles in about 2 hours and 20 minutes. We really hauled booty because we wanted t catch the 12:05 train, other wise we would have had to wait until 2 for the next one. It was fun, it was tiring, but most of all it was for a good cause! Between the 2 of us we beat our team fundraising goal of $400 dollars, we raised $440 (Thanks everyone who donated!!!). On a down note I really did a number on my left foot. The little toe has a HUGE blister and the one next to it has a cut caused by the little toe's nail. so I got a jolt when I got home and took my shoe off, my sock was a bloody mess. I'm sore and achy everywhere, but it's ok, it'll get better. The part that irks me the most is that I forgot to wear sunscreen! the back of my neck, the lower half of my face (I was wearing a hat) and my forearms are crispy.

Final reminder

March of Dimes Walk America (Chicago) is coming up in 4 days! Please if you were putting it off donating, now is the time to go and donate. Our team is so very close to meeting it's goal! I just now we can raise even more then our goal. The link to donate it in the right hand column, every little bit helps!

HOORAY for Spring!!

Aidan and I had a lovely Sunday drive today, disguised as running errands. It was eighty outside too, fantastic! We got to ride with the windows down, didn't have to wear jackets, and it was fabulous! The wind in our hair, the tunes on the radio. Quality time with my little man. It was as close to perfect as it could get! the only thing missing was Ian, but he works tonight and so he HAD to go to sleep. All in all an fantastic day!

Past due

I realize that people have been blogging and commenting on the tragedy that occurred on Monday at Virginia Tech. I was avoiding doing so. I felt that anything I could possibly have to say would be redundant, or wouldn't be profound enough to do justice to the 32 lives that were taken. I realize that I'm wrong. I'm not even afraid to say that. I'm wrong. I have to admit that I have been avoiding TV more then usual, and I've avoided the headlines as well. I am without a doubt a coward. If I don't see it, it didn't happen right? If I can just focus on something else this will not effect me, right? Wrong! It effects me. Did I know anyone who attends or attended the school? No. Do I grieve for the families that lost someone? Hell yes! How does this effect me? It makes me eternally grateful for the fact that my husband attends university online. It makes me worry about the prospect of Aidan going out into the world to attend school. (it puts another drop in the bucket for the possibility of home schooling Aidan) It reminds me that this could happen anywhere! Just last week there was something on the news about a gun making it's way into an area high school. The school has metal detectors at every entrance. That didn't stop two high schoolers from being injured. I have to say that I am horrified by what happened at Virginia Tech. I am astounded that this happened in yet another school! I am confused as to how mankind can continue to slaughter each other.
I feel as though the world as a whole has been robbed of a great deal of potential. The butterfly effect is something I have recently become aware of, and something that I think is very relevant. Simply put, something that happens today can have a large effect on tomorrow. All those lives lost, in my mind, had an infinite amount of potential that will now never be realized. What if one of the 32 (or one of their would have been descendants) that died Monday would have been the next great scientist? Artist? Humanitarian? Inventor? World Leader? All that potential snuffed out by one madman. When I say madman, I am not basing that on anything read in newspapers or seen on TV. I am basing that on my belief that you would have to be crazed to go and commit such a HORRIBLE act of violence against mankind.

I can't say anything more them this: My heart and prayers go out to the families of the victims. I only hope that they are eventually able to find peace.

4 weeks and counting

since we put Aidan in his under-roos all day, and about 2 and half since he's been wearing them over night. He is totally rocking this potty training thing! I'm so proud. in those 4 weeks he's only had 3 accidents and they were all in the first week and were all just beause he didn't get there soon enough. I am now a firm believer in the concept that when a child is truly ready it will go smoothly. I mean we had tried several times before and it did not go well. This was like a walk in the park this time. He's such an awesome little man!

Taged yet again... (stole your title Jax :) )

Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

Well here we go...
1- I'm anal about my pants. Because I'm tall they HAVE to be long enough to fall over the tongues on my shoes when standing, and the part that I'm REALLY anal about is they can not be behind the tongues on my shoes that have to fall over the tongue. I am known to stop (in mid-stride) to fix them if they're not right. It drives me nuts, LOL.
2- I am totally hair style-ing challenged. I have never been able to get my hair to look like it does right after the stylist cuts and styles it. I also can't do much more with my own hair than a pony tail or twisting it and using a clip on it.
3- I really like cooking and trying new recipes, but I LOATHE doing dishes.
4-I can't swim. Even though I've taken lessons 3 different times. I think it's because I don't like having my head under water or getting water in my ears or nose.
5-I have major self-esteem issues, I just tend to hide them very well.
6-I prefer to be the one driving when ever I go somewhere. It's not that I don't trust someone else driving, it's just that I feel like I'm not in control and I get a bit jittery. (God help me when Aidan starts driving, I just know I'll be freaking out in the passeneger seat. I wonder if I can get a car like they had in driver ed, with a break on the passenger side?)
7-I'm thinking of home-schooling Aidan.

Tagging anyone who hasn't done this already.

Tagged by Meghan

just go to Wikipedia. Type in your b-day.List 3 events, 2 important birthdays, 1 death & 1 holiday that occured on your birthday.Link back to my blog if I tagged you.

Here's mine: August 18th

Events
1868-French astronomer Pierre Jules Cesar Janssen discovers helium
1963-American Civil rights movement:James Meredith becomes the first black person to graduate from the University of Mississippi.
1969-Jimi Hendrix plays the unofficial last day of Woodstock

Births
1904-Max Factor (Polish-born cosmetics entreprenuer
1952-Patrick Swayze (American Actor)

Death
1227-Genghis Khan (Khagan of Mongol Empire)

Holiday
Austrailia-Long Tan Day (also called Vietnam Veterans' Day) named after the Battle of Long Tan

I never know who to tag, so I'll just tag anyone who reads this who hasn't already been tagged by someone else.

A night out wth Colin and Brad Layout

This is a bunch of pictures from last July when Ian, Kevin and I went to see this show live in Atlantic City. This was our first time in AC and just our luck there casinos were shut down due to a strike or something ( I can't remember now) The entire state was basically shut down. Anyway we were still able to go and see the show at the casino, we just couldn't gamble. THe show was very funny, and this is the last little bit of it, where the improve based on audience input, while blind folded. Also the stage was covered in set mouse traps. AND they were barefoot. LOL Funny stuff.

Layout credits.

Papers are from the Raging Sea kit which you can download here . you have to go throught the store, but the kit is free. and is HUGE! While you're there check out some of the other gorgeous kits for sale. I also Used template2 from the Kwikplate2 set. The fonts used were Jester and Times New Roman.

Meet the Robinsons & Bernie Mac

What do the two things in the title of this post have in common? Well we (my godmother, Aidan and I) went to see the movie "Meet The Robinsons" at the Marcus cinema in Orland Park and while we were in line to get our popcorn and snacks guess who was in front of us!?! That's right Bernie Mac! I would neverhave realized it if he hadn't spoken to me first! I was scolding Aidan for stepping away from me (I mean, hello we were in a crowded place!). Any-who, I told him "don't you ever do that again, you stay next to me!" and Bernie Mac said and I quote"now that's a good mama". and I glanced up and sort of did a double take, said thanks and then he said "well it's true". He was so nice! Very down to earth. My god-mother didn't realize who it was , so when we were sitting down to watch the movie I asked her if she realized who was in front of us and she said "who" and I told her and she was like I thought he look familar. When were getting ready to leave she saw him again and asked him if he was really Bernie Mac? (lol) and he very nicely turned around a said "yes ma'am I am". Such a bizarre small world!

So the movie was awesome! This was Aidan's first time going to a theater. He was SO SO SO good! I was really impressed. He thought the movie was really funny, but the seats apparrantly made the biggest impression! He pulled it down turned around to sit and right back up it wenr, LOL he didn't know what to make of that a first, so I held it down so he could climb up. He was so cute, I kept glancing over and was just watching intently and munching away on his popcorn (he ate the whole kiddie sized serving). It was an awesome evening, will definitely be buying this one when it comes out on DVD. "2 enthusiastic thumbs up"!

Aidan and the Easter Bunny

There is also a slideshow in the post below of the other pics I got taken for Easter.
Happy Easter Everyone!

Aidan April2007

3rd post of the day!

I took the little guy to see the Easter Bunny, and also got some professional shots done too. pictures to come as soon as I can scan them. He was such a ham. The had music playing over the PA system and he was JAMMING while we waited for his pictures. it was HILARIOUS. I wish I had brought my camera so that I could have recorded him dancing. It was priceless.

Just a quick reminder

That I will be walking on April 29th on Chicago's Lake Front for the March of Dimes WalkAmerica. If anyone would like to sponsor me, the link is in the sidebar! Every little bit helps! Help us save babies. Also if anyone is in the Chicago area and would like to join our team we'd be happy to have you! there's also a link in the sidebar for that as well.

Here's a little info about the March of Dimes and what this charity does.

Did you know that premature birth is the leading cause of new born death in the first month of life? It affects 1,305 babies a day in the United States. Those who survive may have lifelong health problems. And premature births are on the rise -- up to 27% since 1981.
That is why I am asking you to support me in March of Dimes WalkAmerica. Because premature birth can happen to any pregnant woman. In nearly half the cases, the causes are unknown. The March of Dimes is leading the way to find answers by supporting research into the causes of premature birth. I am joining the fight, and so can you.
Your support helps fund:-Research into stress and other factors that may trigger preterm labor.-Programs to educate pregnant women to recognize the warning signs of preterm labor.-Tools to help health care providers find better ways to detect women who may be at risk for preterm labor.
Please join in and help fight prematurity. Visit my webpage and sponsor me in the Walk that saves babies!
edited:
Just a little note, I went to make my own donation today (boy do I know how to procrastinate!) and discovered that this year they made it so you can even donate through PayPal. That sure makes it easy doesn't it?

Radiant LO

This is a picture of Ian’s aunt Linda when she was expecting Tommy. Wasn’t she radiant?
Layout credits: Herbal Garden Kit by Ashley Bailey at www.digitaldivasdesigns.com. I also used one of the templates in the Kwikplate 2 set from www.digitaldivasdesigns.com
Font Credits: CK Print

Spring-ish Banner

Felt like it was time to change up the banner.
I started out with a 4x6 template by Ginger Thibodeau. But I trimed it down so it would fit better on the blog.
I used the Heirloom Orchid Kit by Ashley Bailey of www.digitaldivasdesigns.com . totally loving this kit. The spring word art is by Stacey Truman of www.1HourScrap.com .

Holy cow! I played with paper today!!

Here's the first paper page I've done in about 9 months! The scan didn't come out as good as I would have liked, but you can at least get the idea.
The background is Bazzill, the star paper is BoBunny (a RAK from Tara! thanks Tara!!), the multi-colored squares is by Creative Imaginations (and was something I got from Abby. Thanks Abby!) The title (Boys) are epxoy stickers by Creative Imagination, as is the little oval by the ricrac. But the came out of 2 different packages. The round stamp that says "Family" is by 7 Gypsies and is one I got for Christmas (thanks Mom!!) The other journaling one is a FontWerks, clear stamp (also a christmas present, but that one came from my darling hubby, thanks Ian!!!) Last thing used is the ricrac which is new from May Arts, comes in several colors and is SO SO SO soft. Love it.
The picture is Ian and his brothers this past summer being silly. The journaling says "See no, Hear no, Speak no evil. You guys sure can be silly sometimes."

Marcia and Santa

This is a picture of my wonderful mother in law when she was a little older them my son is now.
I did this lo for the inspiration challenge. The layout that I used as inspiration is here.

Everything used is from the Fresh Tomatoes Daily Download by Ashley Bailey of www.digitaldivasdeigns.com except for the stitches; they are by LaWanna DesJardin and are from her Winter Wonderland Kit.
The Font used is Tahoma.

Digi LO of Aidan...

when we first brought him home from the hospital. This picture was not a great one, the digital camera we had at the time was starting to act up and the pictures we took with it were way underexposed. I sat down and played with PSE4 tonight and fixed it up. I was so thrilled that I had to scrap it.


Here is the picture before I edited it




and here it is after I edited it.

So here is the page that I did with it. The journaling says: "Aidan you came home from the hospital wearing the same outfit that Daddy and your uncles all came home in. I was thrilled that Grammy had kept it to pass on. Being the big boy that you were you only got to wear it one time before you were to big for it."

Layout Credits: The papers and elements are from Ashley Bailey's Pastel Romance Kit, which came be found here. The fonts used were: Poster and Tahoma.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

So, I went out and a caught meself a wee little leprechaun! But he claims he doesn't have any gold...so I've decided to keep'im for me very own!

New LO and a challenge

This layout was done for the March Sketch challenge at www.digitaldivasdesigns.com.
This page was done for the March 2007 sketch challenge at http://www.digitaldivasdesigns.com/ . The pictures are of my little guy Christmas of 2003. He was trying out his new rocking horse from Grammy and Grandpa and insisted (even at such a young age) on doing it himself!
LO credits: Sketch for challenge was by Becky Fleck; everything else (except the stitches) were from the February Mega Kit “Mysteria” from http://www.digitaldivasdesigns.com/. The stitches are from LaWanna DesJardin’s Winter Wonderland Kit.
Font used: Signboard

Now, I challenge all you digi scrappers and paper scrappers alike to give this challenge a try. It's a great sketch (by Becky Fleck) in my opinion and makes for a pretty page, I'm going to save it to do a paper version of it too.

Digital LO: Laura's Wedding

The pretty woman in the pictures is my husband’s cousin Laura on her wedding day.
I started out with a template by Laura Burger, but I took out a couple of things and then added a couple of things. The gorgeous papers and elements are from the Pastel Romance kit (which will be retiring soon, get it while you can) by Ashley Bailey, which can be found at www.digitaldivasdesigns.com
Font used: Jester

This was a real challenge for me, because I don't often get to work with the color pink since I have a little guy, but this was fun.

Kristy's wedding pics in a digi lo

This is a layout of Kristy and Chris's wedding. I started out with a template by Misty Cato and then I added a few things. All of the papers and elements are from the Heirloom Orchid kit by Ashley Bailey of DigitalDivasDesigns.

The font used is Storybook

First LO for DigitalDivaDesigns CT

LO credits: Heirloom Orchids by Ashley Bailey of DigitalDivaDesigns

Font Used: Chaucer

My husband's maternal Grandparents. Sarah and Martin dancing at Tom and Jen’s wedding. June 16, 2001. They were married over 55 years by then and still very much in love. (They just celebrated there 60th anniversary last May

So excited!

I made it onto the design team for DigitalDivaDesigns! I'm so very excited, I've tried to get onto several others (and I'm still waiting to hear about another I applied for) but was turned down. I can hardly wait to start working with Ashley's kits.

New banner

That's my monkey with the shining Irish Eyes. The digital background and the hat I used are by Kat from the ScrappingGarden, they're from her Luck of the Irish kit. The font I used for the saying is Sherwood.

Digital Layout using Jessica Gorny Products

This is Aidan's younger cousin Anson. Isn't he a cutie? Must be good genes! LOL.

Info about the layout if interested:

I used a template by Jessica Gorny and the kit I used was Country Christmas, which is also by Jessica Gorny.

Fonts used: Pegasus and Myriad Pro

This has also been uploaded to both of my galleries. (listed in the links section)

Valentines Flowers

I wanted to post the pretty flowers my sweet husband sent me for Valentine's Day. (they actually got here the day before)

Ignore all the kitchen-y stuff. Aren't they just gorgeous? Love the mix of Red pink and purple. Ian you sure do know how to pick something I'm going to love! I just love that there are tulips in there too since that's what I carried at our wedding.

On another note: It seems as if the weather has decided to behave itself. We should have pretty smooth sailing for our trip east. Can't wait to see everyone!

SNOW!!!!!!!

Why, oh why did it have to start snowing like this? We've gotten more snow over the last 24 hours then we've had all winter put together! We're supposed to leave for a visit to NJ (which, by the way we had to put off from christmas because of work). I don't want to have to wait until summer to go for a visit, then it'll have been a year since we saw them and that is so not cool! We're all hyped up about going, this is something we all look forward to each time a visit comes around. So I just want to say " Lord please don't make it so we can't travel on the roads to NJ, please we need our fix of family time!, Thank You! :)"

Chicago Bears

lost!!! horribly!!! I am so disappointed. I really really don't like their quarterback, he sucks! I had fun yelling at them though. We had a good time. Maybe they can make it again next year.

O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree, thou are finally taken down! I loved the tree for christmas, but hadn't had time to take it down. Ian finally helped me with it last night so Aidan and I could get his new kitchen where it needed to be. It's nice to have a little bit of space again. even if it is filled with toys.
So we've been talking about moving again, this happens periodically, then we get busy again and never get anywhere with it. I'm going to actualy contact a realtor about sending us some listings. I'm also going to pick up a few of those house books at the entrance to the grocery store. See if anything catches our eye.
Ian's work has started moving a few of the lines to the new building so it's only a matter of time before he's working at the new location. Which means we need to digure out how toget there and we really need to be living closer that way. It would shorten both of our commutes, but it will put us farther from my mom and childcare. There's a lot to think about.
So that's it for now, just a little update.

Donate to the National AIDS Fund

Click here. All you have to do is light the candle on this webpage and Bristol-Myers Squibb will donate a dollar to The National AIDS Fund. That's it, it's that easy!

Da Bears!

I'm not the biggest football fan in the world. Mostly because I don't have time to really watch and keep up. But oh my gosh the Bears are in the bowl again!! I remember so vividly the last time they got that far. I was almost six years old and my god-mother and I had followed the bears through the season. I remember tons of snacks and quality time together yelling at the players and being so so SO thrilled when they won. I think I may have to have her over for the bowl so we can watch them again. I may have to tell her to find her record (yes that's what I said, it's on vinyl) of the super bowl shuffle! Oh man the memories. Go Bears Go!!

My little guy...

has been sick since Tuesday. He knocked out early on me Tuesday, and then had a bit of a cough yesterday before I went to work. He got to coughing so hard at grandma's house that he threw up. poot little man! so then I bring him home and he feels warm to me, so I check his temp and he's at 103.3! so I call the pediatrician and tell him all his symptoms, he told me to give him Robitussin DM and tylenol. I call my god-mother to see if she can go out and get them for me because I didn't want to have to bundle him up to take him out since daddy was at work. I give him both meds and his fever goes down and we finish our night and I put him to bed. He wakes me up at 1 am (not quite 2 hours after I went to bed) and he's wheezing and hacking and scaring me HALF TO DEATH! He finally coughs up some really gross stuff, and the wheezing calms (a tiny amount) and I call Ian and tell him what's going on. I give the baby more medicine and he settles down to sleep in my bed. still wheezing. Which meant I totally couldn't sleep because I was nervous about the way he sounded. I kept propping him up on the pillows so he could breathe better. Ian stayed up (and is staying home from work tonight) because I had to go into work. Aidan is totally not wanting to take the medicine and if he doesn't start coughing up more of this stuff I may have to make him an appointment with doctor tomorrow. So here's to hoping he starts sounding and feeling better super quick.

New digi challenge...

Here . Everything used was from Saskia Bokkers "Stars and Stripes" digi kit except for the swirls used on the edges, which are by Bannerwoman. The challenge this week was to scraplift any layout from Lori's gallery. See the page that I scraplifted here.

Happy New Year

Things have been a bit busy, today was the first day I've had off since Xmas and I go right back to work tomorrow, have to be out of the house by 8:30 am. won't get another day off until Saturday. I feel as though I've been getting nothing done. There are weeks when I work more days now then I did when I worked at Andrew. I'm going to have to do something about that. We've got to find another house, straighten up this one. There's been so much on my mind lately that I'm feeling overwhelmed. Again. Not as bad as when I was still at Andrew. But I am a little tired of feeling this way.
Had an okay afternoon with the little man, he took a nice little nap on my lap today, it was lovely! I got some quality time with my snuggle bug. Plenty of time to snuggle with him and stroke his hair while he slept snuggled up against me. I'm sure there won't be many more of those left, they are few and far between as it is.
I just want to wish you all a really happy new year. I hope this year is even better then the last. I really want to stay up and watch Dick Clark's rockin eve tonight so I can see Rascal Flatts perform but I have to go to bed so I can get up early. Some one out there watch it and enjoy it for me, let me know what they sing ok?

Merry Christmas to all...

and to All A Good Night!
My mom and god-mother came over today for Christmas. They came first thing in the morning to see Aidan open his gifts. My mom stayed for about 2 hours and then my god-mother took her back home because she was tired. (thankfully they're only a couple of blocks away, and my god-mother came right back) Then when it was closer to dinner time she came back over. Everything went really well. We had chicken cutlet, mashed taters, sweet taters, green beans, corn, stuffing, and HOMEMADE crescent rolls (which I made with my own two hands- and it was unanimous that they are way better then the ones in the can! LOL) For dessert there was pumpkin pie (made by me, too!) So all of my holiday baking was a hit! (we're not going to think about the fudge, because that's not really baking now is it? LOL that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)
I hope everyone had an awesome holiday. Ours was great considering we weren't really where we wanted to be. Aidan was thrilled with his kitchen (pictures to come soon). For now I'm off to play with the little man before bed time.

Christmas Baking

I started out on Friday with all the baking and stuff. I attempted fudge, this did not go well! I thought it was going well, left it to cool down to 110 degrees before the final beating and let me tell you it got as hard as a rock before it even cooled down! HOLY COW! This was after 1 email and 4 or 5 calls to my darling mother in law, who by the way is infinitely patient with all my questions (because lets face it I'm clueless in the kitchen, but I'm learning). Anyway we had a jolly good laugh at my fudge (which included me tapping the top of it with my wooden spoon so she could hear how hard it was and my father in law in the background telling me to get a jack hammer! thanks dad LOL). It felt good to laugh. I may try to make the fudge again tomorrow, we'll see how everything else goes.
Saturday we made these fantastic wreath and candy cane shaped cookies, they are awesome! We probably ended up with 2 or 3 dozen of those. We also made Mamaw's cinnamon rolls. (Mom they came out great, Ian just said if I was going to do anything different put more cinnamon and sugar). We mixed up the dough to make gingerbread Saturday as well (it had to chill over night).
So today we mixed the dough for the sugar cookies, and while that was chilling we cut the first batches of gingerbread. Then we cute the first pans of sugar cookies and we kept alternating between the two, while one was chilling we'd cut the next batch of the other. These cookies worked out really well together because they cook at the same temperature, just different amount of time. We ended up with about 5 dozen sugar cookies and probably 4 or more dozen of the ginger bread. They both came out great!!
Now tomorrow, I'm just got to make the crescent rolls (from scratch because the store bought have the stuff we're trying to avoid in them) and dinner. And possibly the fudge. Let me tell you my KitchenAid stand mixer just got a big work out ( and on it virgin run too)!!
Even though I've enjoyed the baking and stuff this year I think I'll be very glad when the holidays are over. Aidan was a total monster yesterday and today. Threats of no presents from Santa don't even work, he just keeps being a stinker. He broke another one of my ornaments today, one I just got a couple of weeks ago. Then he tried to hide the piece he broke off, which just totally ticked me off.

Another LO

Did this lo just because! The kit used is LaWanna DesJardin's Groovy Little Christmas. (I recolored the alpha from the kit with another paper from the kit so that is would match what I was doing) I also used a template from Brenda Kempf. The font used is Comic Sans MS.

Quote Challenge at AddictedtoDigital.com

Did this page for the challenge over at addictedtodigital.com . The quote reads "Children are to be treated gently. They are like snowflakes- unique but only here for a while"~Dan Ward. The kit used is LaWanna DesJardin's Winter Wonder Kit. The font used is Comic San Serif

The little cutie in the picture is Aidan's cousin Jason.

Rare indeed!

I had to share this picture, because this is not a common thing anymore. Aidan is now 4 and doesn't often want to snuggle with mommy unless she's in the middle of doing something. He's often times too busy playing and being a boy. But this was taken on the 13th at about 7:30 pm. He had his 4 year check up that morning and I think those 3 shots finally caught up with him. He was at my feet working in one of his preschool work books while I was checking my mail and I glanced down because it was suddenly quiet, and he was knocked out on the floor! So I scooped him up onto my lap and and he sort of woke up and started to ask if he could do something but fell asleep again before he finished his sentence. He did that several times before daddy got up for the night. He slept from then until 10 the next day, he was worn out!

Xmas photo shoot

Haircut or no Haircut I took pictures today for our christmas cards. At 9 pm, lol. In horrible lighting and they didn't come out too bad! so here's a sneak peek for anyone who wants one.

Santa Digi Layout

Did this page for a challenge at Addicted to Digital. The Kit used is Kim Johnson's Holly Jolly Christmas ( I recolored the slide mounts to match the green in the paint swishes). The font is CK Twilight.
Various pictures of my little man with Santa.
I'm off to bed, gotta get up for work in the morning.

Redecorating...

the old blog-a-roo! Got tired of it not really having any flair. Made the banner myself using Kim Johnson's Holly Jolly Christmas digital scrapbooking kit. The font for those interested is CK Twilight. Had lots of help from Ian on figuring out how to change the banner up there. (Thanks, Dear) That's last year's Christmas picture on there, seeing as I haven't taken this year's yet. But you never know I might change it before Christmas because I'm going to be taking our pictures sometime within the next week. Going to do it myself too, since I finally got a tripod and figured out how to use the timer on my camera, LOL. Let me know what ya'll think. Does it look good? bad? ugly?

Aidan's 4 year checkup...

went really well. My little guy was so good, hopped up on the scale to be measured and weighed, got his blood pressure taken (with a little mini blood pressure cuff, which was just too stinking cute, LOL), had his temp checked and all the normal stuff. He's doing great, doctor said to watch his weight, but didn't actually say he is over weight. Aidan had to get 3 shots this time, and he took it like a champ, no tears or anything. He was AWESOME. The nurse asked him if he wanted a lollipop and some stickers since he was so good, and his response, in his excited, cheerful voice was "Well, SURE!!", totally as if he was doing her a favor! She got a big kick out of him. He's such a good kid. We're slowly but surely getting closer to being totally potty trained, he's had a few accidents but it's expected right?. My little guy was laying on the floor next to me just now, coloring, while I checked my e-mail and I look down and he's knocked out, totally snoring, I think those shots finally caught up with him.
He helped me wrap some christmas presents last night and helped me pack and mail a gift this morning. He's a good helper. Each day I'm amazed by what he can do. He's constantly learning something new. Just these last 2 weeks he's been putting his own gloves on, with no help. He dresses himself. Helps gather stuff to make PB&J sandwiches. Helps put things away. He's pretty good at rinsing the dishes too (supervised of course). He's just an amazing little man. You just gotta love him!

WalkAmerica

Signed up today for next years Walk America for the March of Dimes. Will be walking on April 29th on Chicago's Lake Front. Personal Sponsor Page is here and the team page is here . If you want more info about this charity go here. I'll be adding the links to my page and my team page in the side bar. If anyone would like to walk with me that would be great, the more the merrier!!

Some funny random shots

I took these myself of Aidan and me while we were waiting for Daddy so we could put the birthday boy to bed. It's been a big day for the little man. He turned four and mommy put him in big boy underwear all day. It went really well, no accidents. He's such a good boy, and he tries so hard. We even went out in public with no accidents! How awesome is my little man?!?!? I think we'll probably put him in an overnight pull-up bcause I don't think it'll do him any good to have an accident at night, I think it would set him back. We'll wait a few days and see if he wakes up dry for a few days running, if so I think it'll be onto underwear at night and a big boy bed.
Gotta run up and put the little guy to bed, without further ado here are pictures of Momma and her little boo!

A couple more pictures of the tree

Birthday Boy!!!

So here he is in all his 4 year old glory! As always (seriously since the christmas he was 1) he tears off pieces of paper hands them to me, tears off some more, hands them to me. He's really quite methodical about it. He had great fun opening his presents. But by far his favorite has been the Vacuum from Grammy and Grandpa. He keeps going back and playing with it again and again. He's quite a cutie. Mommy and Daddy sure do love you little man! (Secretly I'm wailing "oh my God my baby is 4!!!!!!!!") Happy Birthday Day Sweetkins!

Pictures

This right here is a peekin' punkin! He was peeking through the tree at me while I was fluffing out the branches.
Aidan putting the first ornament on the tree, which happens to be Big Bird that he picked out a couple of days ago while we were tree shopping.
And here's the finished product. With the angel on top that Aidan helped me pick out this week. It really is quite pretty with the lights on, maybe once Aidan is asleep I'll turn the lights off and try to get a picture of the tree with it's twinkling lights.

Trimming the Tree

This is the first time we've put up a tree since I was pregnant with Aidan, and since he'll be four tomorrow that means it's been 4 years! This should be interesting since Aidan has been driving me right up the wall asking me "are we gonna put up the tree today?" for the last 2 weeks. I appeased him the other day by going up and getting out the wreath for the front door (which I decorated myself when I was in high school, musical instruments and various other christmas-y things, it's lovely if I do say so myself...and it is still to this day the best thing to come out of my high school years!) Will post pictures of the tree in the next post first I must make myself somewhat presentable (as I'm still in my pjs!). The baby and I put all the ornaments on and it is one mighty full tree!
It seems we've got several themes going over the years that these have been collected. There are ornaments that were mine, ornaments that were Ian's, and then of course there were ornaments that were "ours" and now there are Aidan's, too. I've discovered I must have a thing for penguins, as I bought a penguin ornament at the Zoo two summers ago, and bought three yesterday, one for each of us and each different, and there are several others that have accumulated over the years. Then of course there was the year of the snowmen-we've tons of those! Then there are lots of looney tunes ones, Taz for me and Marvin for Ian. Lots of Disney, gobs and gobs of bells in various shapes and sizes, including santas! Too many snowflakes to count! And then the year Aidan was born and the ones that followed there were plenty of Pooh! So we have QUITE an assortment. All special, and really they makes for a pretty tree! Even if it does seem as if it should tumble over from the sheer volume of decoration!
So, pictures to come soon!

couple of christmas tags

Made these for the template challenge here . The tag templates are by Kim Johnson, and the kits that I used are Rockadoodle Christmas by Faith True (for the round Tag) and Holly Jolly Christmas by Kim Johnson (for the other tag, LOL).