Scrap Queen

 OK...so a weekend away and I labelled myself...of all things "Scrap Queen."  I have always wanted to be cheesy like this.  Some part of me wants to "match" my occassions with my clothing.  I even co-ordinated my holey soles to match my shirt...as well as my glimmery travel coffee mug.  Am I the only one?  I was hardly a queen amongst the 25 or so other scrapbooking ladies - I really just wanted the shirt because it was pink and it was $5 at Michaels.  I did get 20 (1 sided) pages done over the course of the weekend on Ashers scrapbook and I am so happy with it.  It took me a while to get into the swing of things as it has been over a year since I even touched my scrapbook supplies.  But, the hummm of the Crickets, the slicing of photos and the smell of the Cricut mat glue got me motivated in no time!

 I brought out 2 new friends to join in the excitement this year...I just had to share this wonderful working opportunity with some other girlfriends so Jen and Susan joined me this year.  Love the above layout that Jen did...it only took her about 4 hours :)

 The regular scrapbook ladies that I go with were there too....we had to joke from afar this year but still loved seeing them and catching up at meal times.  Jen and Dani "won" by staying up the latest both nights.  (I can't even compete in an all-nighter).  BUT...our van won the race home...remember that for April ladies ;)  (And everyone thought I was the slow driver!!)

One of my favorite layouts from the weekend as it made me think of my bestest friend Ginette who will be at the next scrapbooking retreat in April...because GUESS WHAT?  SHE IS MOVING BACK from New Brunswick...well back to Calgary but that is still much closer and I am so stinkin' excited about that!!  So, next retreat is the first weekend in April 2011 and I am already looking forward to it...

I love capturing, sharing and documenting my memories and our lives.

First Days of School

Aidan started Grade 6 and transitioned into Middle School fabulously.  He is even taking the CITY BUS to school now.  Seems like he is growing up way too quickly...from wanting to be on Facebook to texting, to the start of school dances....*sigh*  Well we made an agreement on the first day of Grade 5 that I would not take his photo in the front of his school once he moved to Middle School...so Mom still got a few photos in front of our house before he left.  He will be thankful one day.....haha...remember our parents saying that??  I love this big kid and the fact that he still likes to cuddle and that we have a "secret thumb shake."

 

Addison started Pre-school this year at Noah's Ark (same school Aidan went to when he was 4 years old- and the same teachers are still there and remember Aidan 7 years later!!)  He loves going to school and showed Mommy no sign of attachment syndrome...he was off and running as soon as the school doors were open waving "bye."  I slowed him down by taking his photos :)  I am loving this social butterfly and his age of 4!  He is learning and growing all the time!

Miss Abigail Turns 1!

On October 13th our little Abigail Rose turned 1!

Could she be any more precious? In our eyes or in Gods? I am marvelling at the miracle of her life over the past year as I hear Backyardigans blaring from the TV in the living room. Some things I have noticed about having a baby girl in our house:

• Daddy doesn't toss her up in the air like he did with all the boys


• Biggest Brother Aidan is one of the first to run upstairs to grab her out of her crib when she cries


• I snuggle her longer then ever before - our last baby and our little rose - beautiful layers, delicate, growing more and more as the days go by


• Baby girls aren't always quiet and gentle...our sweet Abigail likes to yell, wrestle and join in any boy play that she can


• Her first word was "ma ma"...all the boys first word was "da da"...amazing music to my ears, even as she crawls around the floor whining "ma ma, ma ma" when she wants to be picked up I am smiling as I do it, even if I am busy


• The love and completeness of our family fills my heart with an abundance of joy!

Our sweet Abigail, May the Lord give His angels charge over you, to guide you in all your ways.

- Psalm 91:11