A First Grader, Really???

Well, it is official... I am the mother of a first grader. Dominic was sooooo darn excited to start school today. He looked too cute in his uniform. Here are a few pictures from the big day... he was very proud of his new backpack and the fact that he sits in a real desk now instead of at a table. I just don't know where the time has gone...

So SPOOKY!!! HeeHee Hee!!

When I got home yesterday, all of my new CB embossing folders had arrived! I just had to use them right away and this is the Halloween card I made. My kids really liked it!! I have not really had a chance to make too many cards in the past couple of days... had to work and get Dominic all set to start first grade on Monday. I can't believe how fast the summer flew by and that my baby is really going to be a big FIRST grader- where did the time go?

Gotta Love Bellas!

I am so darn hooked on Bellas!! This is Beachabella and I made this card for the sketch Challenge for CMM on Cafemom. I went with my favorite color and like the way it turned out. I still am in beach mode I guess! Enjoy!

My friend Lisa had her baby girl yesterday!! I am going to send this card to welcome baby Emelia. The nursery is done in pink and brown, so those are the colors I chose for this card. I hope they like it!!!

What a Trip!

It is hard to believe that our vacation is already over! We had such a great time. The kids loved riding on the airplane. They were not scared at all and were so well behaved. Dominic had such a big grin getting on the plane that my dad said he could see his cheeks from behind! SO cute.

The condo that we stayed at was wonderful. Looking out our front balcony was the beach and the side balcony the pool. It was the perfect location for us. Dominic just loved the ocean. You would never have guessed that this was his first trip to the beach. He swam with all the big boys with no fear. (I sat comfortably in my beach chair and watched- yeah, I am a wimp!) He even went on his first roller coaster ride at Bush Gardens

Allison looooved collecting shells. She sang the same little tune every time she hunted for them. She and Grandma came back with three huge cups! She absolutely loved swimming in the pool and hanging out in the hot tub. Maddi really liked the sand once she got used to it. Digging and putting sand in her bucket with her shovel were her favorites. She did sit on the shore and let the water hit her feet.

Chris and I really enjoyed watching our kids explore and enjoy the beach for the first time. We will remember it forever!!

Time for Vacation!

We are leaving on Saturday for Florida! The kids are soooo excited. I just can't wait to see them when they see the ocean for the first time... gotta get back to packing!!!!!

I made this card for a challenge in the Cute Critters group on CafeMom.
We were supposed to use an image of a cute animal
and then use a favorite technique.
Once one technique is posted no one else can use it.
I chose to use cracked glass. This was the first time I did
this and I really liked the outcome!!
All of the cards that have been posted are so amazing!

My friend Kimberly's birthday is this week and this is the card I made for her. She really helped me get into stamping, so I wanted her card to be extra special. I really hope she likes it!! I thought it turned out pretty good!! I just love brown and blue together and this stamp set is one of my favorites.

I actually got a chance to make some cards today!! My two bigger kids went swimming with a friend of mine and when Maddi slept I played!! Yahoo! This is a card I made for my Aunt Barb today. She really really helped me out- thanks Barb, you know what I am talking about! I had her favorite colors in mind when I made it... can't wait to see what she thinks!

Well, just 8 days until we leave for Florida!! We are flying to Tampa and then driving to Indian Shores Beach. This will be the first time the kids have been on an airplane! I am so excited, but a little nervous about how Maddi is gonna be! She is just sooo loud! I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they see the ocean for the first time. My parents are the greatest! They paid for our plane tickets and for the condo rental for the week. Thanks mom and dad! We love you and are soooo excited!

Being in the beach mode, I made this card the other day for a challenge in CMM. I ended up using this layout for Allison's thank you cards from her birthday. I just love Sophia Moose! So stinkin cute!! Enjoy!

I entered this card in the CMM's card challenge this week on CafeMom. It uses the faux silk technique. I have been wanting to use this jumbo wheel for some time, but just couldn't seem to find the right card to use it on! I think this worked out pretty well. I stamped under the faux silk as well. At the moment I am in the lead as far as voting goes... we shall see what happens! All of the cards and ladies in the group are just amazing!

This is a card I made to use for a card swap in the Stampin Up Groupie Group I am in here in St. Louis. I used staz on for the image and then just sponged the other colors over it. I am really happy with the outcome of this card and hope that the ladies in the group like it too! I will be using it in August.

Wow! What a Day!

Yesterday my four year old daughter was the flower girl in my cousin Steph's wedding. She was absolutly beautiful and did such a great job. She kept insisting that she got married, and the ring bearer was her husband! Whoe girl- don't grow up on me too fast! What an honor it was that Steph and Matt chose our little princess to be in their beautiful wedding. It was a fabulous day.

Welll... I did it!

I have been so inspired by my good friends on CM that I decided to take the plunge and create a blog myself!! I am kinda freaked out for some reason, but with time I am sureI will get the hang of it. The card on the left was I made for a Challenge on cafemom. The technique is split negative. I liked using this style of stamping a lot and you will most likely be seeing lots more of it!!

The second card was for a challenge in CMM on CafeMom. I just love this style card and it was wayyyy easier to do than I thought it would be!! I had made one of these previously at a stamp camp and am soooo happy to have the measurements now!!

Today I took the kids to my friend Amy's house to swim and they had lots of fun. Dominic is like a little fish and he is so hard to get out of the water!! Allison is very proud that she can swim with her things like marshmallows (floaties), and Maddi has NO FEAR! She wanted to go down the slide that was going into the pool. Ahh!! What am I going to do with her? It was a very nice day!!