Riding in style!

Yesterday, Connor got to take a Hummer limo ride to Pizza Hut for lunch! He was way excited because he has never been in a limo let alone a Hummer! This was one of the prizes he won during the school's magazine sale. To qualify they had to sell a certain amount a subscriptions. I usually split the amount they sell between Zachary and Connor so it is even. Since Zachary had already been on the limo ride two other times he wanted to give the subscriptions to Connor so he would get the ride. Isn't he the sweetest? Just goes to show that even though they fight, they do love each other.
This is Mr. Chuck helping the kids inside. I really didn't get great pics but wanted to post them anyway. The highlight of the lunch for Connor was drinking Diet Pepsi. Gotta have priorities!

I decided to cook Chili last night for dinner. The weather seemed just right for it and it is something that my whole family will eat without complaining. A win-win situation. As it was simmering on the stove I decided to check my email. Boy, I am so glad I did! I got a request from Memory Makers for two layouts for their upcoming Scrapbook Idea Gallery special issue! I am so excited as this is my first time with their magazine. These are two layouts that I just love and they both feature the products from Studio Calico kits.

It is snowing again today! I think we are supposed to get 4 inches on top of what fell earlier in the week. Yikes! I am so ready for spring. Unfortunately in NE Ohio that is going to take a while.

Enjoy your weekend!

Double Digits!

Today is Zachary's tenth birthday! I simply cannot believe how fast 10 years has flown by!

This is a picture from Saturday night. Some of his friends were here for a sleepover. I was totally impressed with how well the boys behaved and got along. My baby is growing up! Yikes!

I know he is so ready for it...it is his mama that is having a problem!

Birthdays, lizards, castles and layouts

I know, weird title. But it is what is going on in our house this weekend. Monday is Zachary's 10th birthday so tonight we are having a sleepover with 5 of his friends. The house is stocked with all the best junk food and soda and of course they will be having pizza, cake and ice cream!

We were stumped as to what to get Zachary for his birthday. He is not into toys anymore and really could take or leave video games. He does love science and all of earth's lovely creatures. Bugs, spiders, frogs...get the picture? I am happy to introduce to you the newest member of our family, the leopard gecko! He will only get to be 9 inches long. He is in a tank in Zachary's room and he thinks this is the best birthday present he ever got! Mission accomplished!

Zachary also like to build things. This is his castle project for school. His class read "Castle in the Attic"and had to create something from the book. He did all of the work by himself with just a little help from dad. Even the clay creatures! I think it totally deserved the A he received!
Lastly, I leave you with a layout. No lizards or dragons here! This is for a scraplift challenge at Studio Calico. You had to scraplift the person who posted above you. I got the super talented Stephanie Howell! This is my take on her layout "Look at those eyes". It was really fun to do and i hope to try it again.
Got some exciting news yesterday from Scrapbook Trends. They requested a layout for their July issue! The cool part is Nicole got a request as well and we will be in the same section of the magazine. If you notice a layout missing from my blog, this is why.

Have a great weekend everyone and I will be back soon with birthday pics!

I'm in love...

With the February kit from Studio Calico! The combination of colors and embellishments are just stunning. It's no wonder their kits sell out so fast every month, they are simply gorgeous.

This is a layout I made with the kit. I normally am a slow scrapper, but this one came together pretty quick. This pic of my son Connor cracks me up. We were on our way to a baseball game and he was so excited that his buddy was with us he couldn't contain himself when I got the camera out.

Nicole came over last night to scrap. She was at CHA last week, so it was really fun to catch up. She filled me in on all the awesome product headed to a scrapbook store near you! She worked at the Pink Paislee booth. This is a new company that is getting a lot of buzz with their new lines, Spring Fling and Office Lingo. She said the booth was absolutely slammin! She also got to meet a bunch of her fellow DT gals from Studio Calico. Needless to say, she had the best time!

But before we started scrappin', Miss Nicole rocked out on Guitar Hero for Wii. I wish I had taken a picture. You will just have to take my word for it, girlfriend worked...it...out! The Rolling Stones would be proud of her jam session to Paint It Black.

I hope to get some more scrappin' done today. It is the perfect weather for it, cold and rainy.
I think we may try to catch a movie with the boys. The Spiderwick Chronicles. They are home tomorrow for President's Day and we may just have to check it out.

My sweet Valentines!

Or should I say, my funny valentines? I surprised all three of my boys with Valentine's treats this morning before they left for school and work. Connor wanted to eat some candy before leaving but I didn't think his teacher would appreciate me giving him chocolate before 8am!

Eddie gave me some lovely flowers and we are going to dinner tonight with the boys. Yeah, I know its for Zachary's basketball team, but a girl's got to get it when she can!

So happy my sweet friend Nicole is back from CHA! She had a ball and saw all the amazing new products we will have to have! Some pics are on her blog.

Stacey, from AMR went to CHA as well and I can't wait to see all the new product she ordered for the store. I am going to have to start saving my pennies now!

Happy Valentine's Day my sweets!

It's been a cold couple of days!

This was the view from my morning room window yesterday. After a bitter cold few days with temps in the single digits and minus zero wind chills we finally got some snow. We really haven't gotten much snow this winter in NE Ohio so the boys took full advantage of the 4 inches that fell yesterday.
Connor helped Eddie a bit with the shoveling. Well, Eddie had the snow blower. Connor went to our next door neighbor's house to help her shovel her front porch and came away with a dollar!

After dinner, Eddie took the boys sledding for the first time this winter. Connor decided he wanted to try Zachary's snowboard and from Eddie tells me, he did pretty good. They all came back soaking wet and exausted! After getting pj's on, we all settled in and watched American Idol!

Last Sunday was Zachary's last basketball game of the season. They won and finished undefeated at 8-0! So proud of them! We have a team party tomorrow night at the coach's restaurant to celebrate. So, that is how we will be spending Valentine's Day!

I have been tagged!

Diana, at Studio Calico tagged me on her blog last week. With all the craziness going on, I am just getting to it now. Here goes...

Favorite sites:

• Studio Calico
• Pioneer Woman Cooks
• All Moments Remembered
• Nicole Harper's blog

Challenge Favs:

I really don't do many challenges. I would love to try Method Playground though.

Guilty Pleasures:

• Studio Calico kits
• Starbucks
• New pj's
• Shoes

Babysitting Fav:

Well, I would have to say my mom but since we live 10 hours away my newest babysitter is my hairdresser's daughter. My kids love her!

Creative Fav:

• Nicole Harper
• All of the Studio Calico DT
• Stephanie Howell
• AMR DT
• All the wonderful ladies that post in the SC and AMR galleries.

Clothing fav:

It would have to be my bootleg cut jeans with the little bit of stretch in them.

To keep this going, I am going to tag, Heather and Anne Marie!

I got a little scare on Thursday. My mom collasped at work and was taken to the hospital. After all kinds of tests they said she had a seizure. She was released Saturday and has to be on medication to prevent further seizures. She is fine, just feeling tired and weak. She won't be able to drive for six months so my dad is on official Driving Miss Daisy Duty! Thanks for all your prayers and positive thought. They mean more to me than you will ever know.

Ok, if you read this far God love ya! I leave you with a layout. These pics are from our trip to Myrtle Beach last summer. If you live in a cold state like I do, maybe these pics will warm you up a little!

Have a great Sunday!

19-0 DENIED!!!

Really, quite possibly the best Super Bowl EVAH! The Giant's did what no one said they could do last night by beating the Patriots 17-14! I am so happy for the veterans like Michael Strahan, Jeff Feagles, Amani Toomer but really excited for Eli Manning. He was heavily critizied all season and look at him now, Super Bowl MVP! Getting out of that sack and the circus catch by Tyree was the play of the game! Our defense was amazing and put pressure on Brady, sacking him 5 times! Can you tell I am excited? My parents and little bro are suffering from a NYGiant hangover this morning! To quote my brother,"we are marinating in the glory! "

I think I will too!

Happy Birthday Nicole!

My dear friend Nicole Harper is having a birthday today! I just wanted to share this layout of us and tell you how I met this amazing girl!

I used to work at an LSS part-time. One night we had a overnight PJ crop. As fate would have it, I was there as well as Nicole. She was working on a mini album and I remember saying to myself, "she is an awesome scrapbooker. We need her at this store!" I commented on how much I liked her stuff and instantly liked her as a person. So friendly, warm, funny, witty, really the complete package! Everything you would want in a friend. After that, she was asked to be on the store's design team and eventually taught classes and worked part time in the store as well. We instantly clicked and became friends. When our store closed we were devastated and very hurt! (a long story) The best thing I came away with from that store was my friendship with Nicole. I could not imagine my life without her friendship, support, sense of humor, creativity and advice! I love you my friend, Happy Happy Birthday!