Papertrey - Make It Monday

This is my first entry in Papertrey Ink's Anniversary contest.
I am recently getting back in to crafting and this is so fun to use my supplies again :)

My Pink Stamper Color Challenge

I am trying some new things - one of them being some crafting challenges.  Today I have joined the color challenge over on My Pink Stamper:

Color Challenge:
PinkBrownOrangeGreen So here is my first card for my first challenge:

Supplies:  Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, Old Olive, Pink Pirouette, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel, Melon Mambo, Naturals White Cardstock, Craft Black Ink, In Color Markers, Paper Dolls Cartridge

The girls first trip to the library!

June 11 marks the girls first trip to the San Antonio Library (at least the local branch by our house) - where they received their first "real library cards" (I say first because if they are anything like their mother they will lose it about 20 times).

Our local branch is really cute and they have these great rocking chairs to sit in outside on the patio.

As we were leaving the girls posed for me and Zoe declared that they were now "LIBRARY GIRLS" - I see a great reason to make a t-shirt now :)

Currently I am in the process of unmounting my stamp sets from Stampin' Up!  I have come across a wonderful technique on Splitcoast using Aileen's Tack it Over and Over (I will go more over this in another post).

I ordered the Stamp Cases from Stampin' Up! but I wanted inserts for all of my stamps sets to match the inserts that Stampin' Up! provides for their new Clear Mount Stamps so I decided to get on My Digital Studio and create my own.  I plan on working out an organizational system that will color code my inserts (ie:  children - orange band, flowers - green band).  As you can probably tell, I have a little tweaking left to be done, but otherwise it matches well enough for me :)

Now that I have my template I am going to finish unmounting all of my stamps.  Then I will tackle making all of my inserts.  I am going to charge my hubby with the task of figuring out how I can get little images printed on the sides of the insert if that stamp set is not on My Digital Studio.

Christmas 2009

WHAT A GREAT CHRISTMAS!!

We started with Christmas Eve at my Mom's house. We had wine and chili and tamales and sat around and enjoyed each other! It was perfect. Austin Grandpa and Helen joined us Christmas Eve since they would not be in town on Christmas Day

I took the photos with my iPhone, so they are not great :)

Mom and Coco intently listening to Bryan stories

Bryan and Zac

My two very precious girls


CHRISTMAS DAY!

I got up at 2:30 to help Santa deliver the presents and make sure everything was labeled correctly. Just as I was getting ready to go back to bed I got a call that my neighbor's mother had just passed away.
Then the girls came running down the stairs to see if Santa had come.

Tobi first - she ran right past me straight to the tree and in her little sleepy voice said "He came!"

Next thing I know, Zoe is coming down the stairs asking if Santa came. I told her to look around and tell me. She went straight for the stockings and confirmed that he did show up.

At this point there was no talking them in to going back to bed so I let them start opening their gifts from Santa:



Then they got to trade gifts with each other - they were very excited about this part!

Tobi got Zoe an online Pet Shop stuffed animal and Zoe got Tobi a super soft blanket.

Then the girls went to wake up Daddy to open the rest of the presents - he was not happy!!!!
But, he did like his presents!

The girls each got one present - just what they asked for!

Zoe got a talking vanity:

And Tobi got a horse she can sit on:

After we opened presents we got dressed and went to my parent's house again for Christmas Brunch and presents - it was super yummy food and really good fun :)

Signs of the Season

This past spring we planted a baby Bradford Pear and then had one of the hottest summers ever. We struggled all summer with making sure he got enough water to survive. Well he made it and now after our first freeze he has turned the most beautiful shades of orange.

My husband is a crafty guy! I love watching him create. Here are a few things he has done over the past couple of years. Our collection gets bigger every year. If you go back to my December post in the beginning of the blog you will see where he built the reindeer.

First up, a wreath he made for the front door:

Next up is this beautiful, amazing sled he created this year. He built the whole thing himself and then painted it - this picture does not do it justice - it really is spectacular!!!!

The scene on the back of the sled:

Here are the first two reindeer that sit in front of the sled. I'll have to ask Bryan their names:

The next two:

The two after that:

We seem to be missing one here - he must be in "Santa's workshop" for repairs:

And finally, at the front of the team is, of course, Rudolph:

Thanksgiving 2009

We celebrated at my mom's house this year. My grandfather and his new wife, me and Bryan and the girls, Amber, and Mom and Jerry were all there. Mom did all of the cooking and everything was great :)

The girls in front of the two roasters.

Amber, Mom, and me

Me and Mom

Our table :)

Halloween 2009

What a day! Halloween day that is . . . I had to go in to work to help my mom fix up her house and then came home to get the girls and dogs ready to go trick-or-treating:
Zoe was a water fairy and Tobi was "Jessie" from Toy Story

Brownie used Jas's bumble bee costume (that Jas hates wearing) and of course Belle was the queen. I got Jas a t-shirt to wear instead of a costume. Unfortunately we couldn't keep Brownie in her collar so we ended up having to leave the pup-pups at home.

I told Bryan that Zac wanted to trick-or-treat (and I was right) so we put Zac in Bryan's old army jacket :) They all had a great time.
Then we all came back to our block and our neighbors had a party for us!

First Day of School

Here are the girls on the first day of their new school:

They started at Olympia Elementary. Bryan and I had a lot of trepidation about this new school but so far we are impressed! The school keeps getting exemplary awards!

Divine Intervention . . . . truly!!!!

A week ago I volunteered to go to part-time at work. That is so crazy because we need my paycheck to live on. There was no hesitation - not because I don't like my job, because I do like my job a lot. I have to think I volunteered because this is where God wants me to be.

Then, as soon as I got home I started looking at going back to school. I do not even know where I got the idea to look at school. I have wanted to go back for years but it never was the time. The idea was just there . . . . . .

This whole last week seems like such a blur because it has all happened so fast.

I applied, got accepted, took a placement test, and registered for classes this week. What, what what!!!!! Well I have to believe this is where God wants me to be - it is all too perfect. Really the whole thing is a blur to me.

So as I was sitting here this week look at the class catalog the only word I seemed to be able to see was kinesiology. I have never once considered this as a possible major, but again the idea was just there slapping me in the face. So, I have chosen biology as a major with a focus in kinesiology. Everyone who knows me knows that fitness is hugely important to me and this will just help me further use this passion.

I did well on my placement tests except for beginning algebra - but who knows what 1/3x over 2/5y equals for z and how to get all of the letters on one side - certainly not me.

Oh well, I am super excited and cannot wait - only a week more till classes start, ack!!!!
I am thinking I should also go ahead and get me some glasses so I can see the screen projector or chalk board or whatever!

Love to all - Tuleea Seemba "easy lion"