Alyssa First Dance Competition

Alyssa competed in her first solo dance competition this weekend. She did an amazing job. It takes a special kind of person to get up in front of a large crowd all by yourself and perform!I was more nervous than she was.We are looking forward to seeing her do this more often! She did amazing and we are so proud.

Embrace....

the checkbook... we have 2 kids in orthodontics! Alyssa got her braces put on by Dr Macon on 1/20/2011 isn't she beautiful!

Just ordered out Holiday cards :D

Holiday Window Christmas Card

Get custom photo Christmas cards online at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

First Fun Run

Kevin and the kids participates in the OLD RELIABLE 1 mile Fun run yesterday. They had a great time .

Happy Saturday!

The temperature this week has dropped dramaticly. It would be a good weekend to stay in and cuddle by the fireplace. But not here, as always lots to do, lots to see. We are heading to see MegaMind, out for pizza at our happy place ( mellow mushroom) and off to find the "fast route to my new job! Wooohooo!



Jazz 2010
The stages of Aryns Halloween Pumpkin
Turkey was given to me by my friend Carrie , about 7 years ago. I came across him while picking up last week and gave him a home on this cute card. Thanks Carrie

Crop Chocolate Weekend Crop

Crop Chocolate is an online store/community that offers many diffrent scrapbook "steals and deals". This weekend they are hosting an online crop. Stop by and take part in some of the fun and inspiring challenges. Not to give any hints but you really want to stop by Sunday Night for the Recipe/Menu challenge.... hosted by ME :D

Two post in 1 day .... don't faint

I know it is hard to believe the holidays are right around the corner. Some great handmade or handmade looking ideas are on the Inspired Blog. Check out the Christmas Idea book. It is an online version. Some very creative ideas. I am thinking we will try the minature houses.


and now, more scrappy goodness from me:D I think i have gotten more pages and cards done this week then the past 4 months combined!


Take 5.... Aryns school picture day. I always try to take a few shots before they go, just in case the dont turn out. Can you see why? 5 shots to get 1 good 1 . At least she lets me take that many.
Thanksgiving card
My boys, setting up fantasy football. Ran like a business, not a game!
Look at the picture carefully. Alyssa in the background adding her displeasure to having her picture taken. Always gotta be 1 cuckoo in the nest. Just seems like our nest is overflowing ! LOl!


These pictures busted me up. We made a haunted halloween "gingerbread" house. It had black frosting, well i guess by looking at the photos who was licking their fingers!
2010 all 3 kids ready for some candy!
Thanksgiving Card
Title came from Justin Beiber song, we sing this song all the time. I think it was an appropriate to use it as a title
And lastly, Those of you that know Alyssa know she has a huge sweet tooth. She was in her "wonderland" with all this candy!

October Rush

October is always such a busy month for "the team ". We wrapped up Aryn's first volleyball season, attended a few Halloween parties, had some visitors, attend the North Carolina State Fair, finished the 1st nine weeks of school, baked, cooked, carved 3 pumpkins, went trick or treating, and found a job .... see, it has been a busy month!


Kevin and I both did out civic duty and voted on November 2nd. Our vote actually did count. Our long term Democratic Congressmen as voted out. Now the Change is hopefully coming.

I have been baking up a storm.Fall does this to me, like i am getting ready for my winter hibernation!


pumpkin gems with cream cheese frosting dusted with chai tea and pumpkin pie spice

Mini pancake muffins with maple syrup and chocolate chips

The kids enjoyed trick or treating, trunk or treating and of course all the candy eating.

The entire gang, ready to go trick or treating!
Borat!
Gypsy
Alice


Aryn just finished her 1st season of volleyball. Her team name was the "Killers". There is something slightly disturbing about hearing your daughter and a group of 9-11 year olds yell " KILLERS!" really loudly. She had fun, the team won a few matches and she is looking forward to the spring season. Dad really enjoyed spending some time with Aryn at the gym! Andrew volunteered a few times to be the "line judge". He actually enjoyed being called "the ref" The "ref"
Finding the "sweet Spot" before serving



And I have managed to squeeze in a little time for crafting

Back to School

Ok trying this again, had this beautiful, details update and then lost connection. Don't you hate when that happens!

Back to school time in North Carolina. I can't believe we have a 4th grader, 6th grader and a freshmen! It seems like just yesterday i graduated from high school. How can it be possible to have a child in high school. Ok, you can stop laughing now!

Andrews bus comes at 6am ... that is so crazy! He has been going to bed around 8:30, so much for a social life! He did get to go to the schools first football game. He had a great time! He is also loving all the "freedom" that has been given to him at high school. In a few weeks he will be turning 14. I think it pains me more on their birthdays than on my own. :D

Summer is officially over this weekend. We are on Hurricane Earl watch. Hoping he decides to skip the coast and not rain on us for too long. Hope everyone has enjoyed their summer.

Bad Blogger of the year award ....

It has been a little over 2 months since i have updated the blog. So much has happened since my last post that it is going to be difficult to share all the fun and excitement we have been up too. So in an effort to not exhaust everyone , I will keep it short.



I have been lucky enough this summer to sneak in a few moms nights out at Archivers with my scrapbook friends Terri and Jennifer. I have a gallery at Scrapattack where i have loaded many of my pages and cards. I did join a stamp kit club at Unity I love their products and I love getting a package from them. I recently won a prize on their facebook page, makes me love them even more! (thanks to my dear friend Tania!)

Oh La la - crepes, see photos below


So Grateful, this card is using the stamps from my June Unity stamp kit

Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity in Las Vegas

Graduation Day
Picture from mothers day photo shot , see last paragraph


July 15Th we celebrated out 15Th wedding anniversary! Gosh , i love this man!



We spent the 4th of July weekend in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. This was Kevins first trip to the city. The kids were excited to show them all the things they loved about our trip last year. Philadelphia never stops amazing me, around every corner there is something new, a peice of history the kids would never have learned about otherwise. The food is amazing, the history is incredible, the people (usually) kind. We love Philadelphia.




Alyssa enjoying a Crepe at Reading Terminal Market

Aryn's Crepe on the griddle , Strawberries, Honey, Cinnamon and of course tons of whipped creme.
Yummy!


Elfreths Alley
Liberty Bell, taken on July 4Th


my boys by the Rocky Statue, Museum of Art

All of us by the Love statue

Fireworks, we watched from the New Jersey side of the Delaware River.




June 25th was Aryns 9th Birthday and ALyssa turned 11 on June 29th. We celebrated each of their days individually. Aryn selected Olive Garden and Alyssa choose Kanki japanese Steakhouse. We have a small surprise party at All About Me. Dads wallet is still recovering:)




June 7th was Alyssa's 5th grade Graduation and June 9th was Andrews 8th grade graduation. Summer vacation started June 10th. The kids have been having fun at the pool, attending some camps, trying some new sports,hanging out with old friends, making some new ones and just relaxing.




First day of summer vacation.... i will have to take another picture on the last day to see how much tanner they are :D

Alyssas 5th grade graduation!



Andrews Graduation Day - Look out high school , here he comes!
My mothers day gift was a family photo shoot with Tammy Fisher Photography she is an amazing local photographer. I love my mothers day gift. PRICELESS!