fun times

Yes Collin is wearing shades and yes it's dark out. :) **Edited by Collin** Just to dispel any rumors, I am not Ryan Seacrest's moon-faced identical twin. Please stop asking me for autographs. It's embarrasing. If anyone wants to know my secret for gaining weight and keeping it on, email me at donotreply@doublechin-is-in.com

We headed up to Park City during the film festival with our chums Britney and Justin. It was a last minute escape so we didn't catch a film or spot any celebrities but we did have a blast!!

Brit --putting out the vibe! :)

Thanks to Yaya for watching my little angel and thanks to Little Gym for taking care of Creed & Avery at Parent Survival night--- I really needed this night out! :)

remain calm

That is what I tell myself when approaching Avery on my scrap desk.

The key to avoiding complete and utter chaos:

Approach her carefully

Don't make any sudden movements

Before attempting to pry the jar of buttons from her determined-to-make-a-mess little fingers say words like: Barney, Coloring, or if you are desperate-Cookies

Slowly remove her without those big boots causing any more damage :)

I guess you could say it's partly my fault that she is perched up on my desk because yesterday we were counting the buttons and putting them back in the jar. Too bad I can't say that it's her fault that my desk is a disaster :)!

Finishing up one of my big projects today... I should post some before and after shots of how I am going to organize... count this photo as the before. :o)

Happy Birthday Em!

What's not to absolutely love about my sister-in-law Emily? She is smart, articulate, witty, funny as heck, she can out movie-quote anyone, and she can nail Hotel California on Rock Band.
She is the fasion editor for Square Magazine and gives all kind of fashion advice here.

We love you Em!

i heart dimples

One of my goals this year is to take better photos & to expand my knowledge of my camera as well as Photoshop. I noticed from the giveaway post that a lot of you share the same desire & have goals along the same lines. If your goal is to take a photo-a-day not only will you have an awesome glimpse of your life by the end of the year but you will in turn become a better photographer. Well, that's what we hope right?

Craft time is one of our favorite times of our day, next to the numerous snack times. This particular afternoon we were painting with watercolors. She loves it and Woody enjoys to sit and watch too! :)

I wasn't loving the shots I was getting so I sat on the kitchen floor. One of my goals to getting better photos is to explore new angles and sitting on the kitchen floor was a great way to mix up the daily shots I capture at our kitchen table.

"Create inspiring, noble & righteous goals that fire your imagination & create excitement in your heart." Joseph B. Wirthlin

In the January CK I share with readers a magnetic board full of goals for this year. I have photos of the basic categories then there's a clip where I've written then hung more of the specific details. I'm not that great at New Year's Resolutions but this way I can switch out my goals if something is completely unattainable and reevaluate each month.

(To see more check out the January Creating Keepsakes.)

Last year was a great one for goals:

Have a baby. check

Sing at the top of my lungs with Coldplay. check

Start a column in CK. check

Eat my weight in cookie dough. double check

I can feel this year will be a great one too!

Wall Decals: Found at Blik

Patterned Paper: American Crafts

Details added to magnets: found here

Lucky you!

The winner for the camera strap give-away is......................

.....Christine (Hicks Happenings)!!!!!!!

Email me your address and your favorite camera strap so we can send it off to you- lucky girl!

and lucky me cause this was my photo-of-the-day yesterday-a delectable stack of chocolate covered pretzels! mmmm! Definitely an indulgence while the kiddos were napping.

Good thing I didn't set any 'eat healthier' resolutions. :) Sorry for those of you who did and I am setting a bad example as well as posting an evil, tempting photo! Forgive me. :)

It's about time...

for a killer giveaway!

I'm a big fan of the camera straps *made with love* by the fabulous Shealynn & sold at the *Shey*[B] etsy shop. They make me happy because
a. they come in a bunch of different stylish patterns
b. they slide on and off so it's easy to interchange them
c. they are super cozy around your neck :)

Right now my Canon is hanging from the black and white damask pattern with a pink yo yo flower! Oh, I almost forgot to mention how much I love the yo yo flowers, she layers them and attaches them to your strap with a button. I couldn't help but get a few more of those that I will easily find a home for on one of my next projects. Her 'Summer Fun' strap was also calling my name since I am eagerly waiting for some sunshine.

Leave a comment with one of your New Years Resolutions (it's okay if you've already given up on them:) & you can choose your favorite camera strap from the Shey B etsy shop!!

:)

hello.

Doing this Project 365 has been fun but since I take most of my pictures while we are hanging around at home I've gotten really sick of our carpet! :) When I saw these textures I was super excited because I can camouflage the backgrounds of my photos... Collin referred to it as 'Grandma wallpaper.' :) Not sure if that means he likes it or not.

The cool texture kit can be found at 2 peas or by clicking here

Do you pea? ;) Cause this announcement is pretty cool... I may need to update my gallery.

Just a quick share... ta ta for now

Best of 08

Playing favorites isn't nice but I couldn't help it. I just love some more than others. :)



courtesy of August Creating Keepsakes

Courtesy of Creating Keepsakes

The pages are more proof that I also love circle punches & yellow+red. :)

Unexpected

Playing along with the photo-a-day challenge.

Lately when I download my pics from my camera I find it's the unexpected photos from the scenes of our day that I love the most.

A friendship with a doggie.

Quincey's love for her sis and the fact that you can gauge her happiness by how big she opens her mouth.

Clean, quiet, still little piggies.

More tea time! :)

Are you playing along in the 365 photo-a-day challenge? Basically you capture a moment from your day, everyday for the year.

my Q-bear

Since the best I can do for sharing my pages is this...



I figured this blog needed some Q-bear lovin' anyways. That photo captures her huge, drooley smile and brings it back to life on my computer screen! Sometimes I think she is too precious for the triple-w. Then sometimes I can't help but share those chubby cheeks that I kiss all day!
Sitting up is still a challenge because she would much rather be on the move!

And if you are gonna move might as well be scooting-in-style with Baby Legs. I love them because then her cute, little piggies still peek out the ends. Making it much easier for mommy to tickle and kiss.

Avery is at the window waiting for Auntie Charity to come play today while I try to double the size of that stack above!
Any fun plans for the weekend? I need to plan a much needed date night... Happy Friday!



Digital frame found at 2 peas. click here

Tea Time

There's been a lot of tea parties around here recently since she ripped open this tea party "Princess" set from Santa. Which means we've been drinking a lot of luke warm water & eating Winnie the Pooh crackers. Minnie doesn't complain though. :) The photo is from Christmas morning, hence her new doll house in the back ground that she absolutely loves! Our family room had some extra space so I set up a work table & this little table for Avery from Ikea so she could color or read, or in this case spill water, while I work.

I have officially been scrapbooking at an unhealthy amount. Is that possible, you ask? I didn't think so either-but it is. It's still totally awesome & I'm having a blast doing it because these scrapbook pages are going to blow your minds;) I just get really tired when I finally stumble into bed. Kinda like when I devour a delicious chocolate cake, sure I am enjoying each bite, but how will I feel later? :) heehee!

Creating Keepsakes came out with a new Special Issue 101 Expert Solutions and I had a fabulous time designing some pages for it. I worked on it right after Quincey was born. (I always like to think back on what I was doing since it takes a few months to hit the stands.) This one may be my favorite.

I used this paper from Scenic Route and my favorite buttons because they come threaded and are self adhesive.

Looking at that scrapbook page I can't help but think how BIG Avery has gotten since June. She is putting her words together to make sentences like when she's ready to go somewhere... "Awe we weady mommy?" Or my personal favorite is how she tells me to "be nice" when I am trying to discipline. It's too cute and hard to be stern when you are holding back from laughing. :)

bored.

This is what you do when you have church at 9 am, both kids are napping and you have the rest of the day to do nothing.

Sit at the computer desk

explore the web

and take random pics of each other.

My new hair obsession is wearing feathers in my hair!! I found this clip at a local boutique but I have made some fun ones of my own. If you are interested maybe I will offer some here or something. Have a Happy Monday!

PS A popular question :) the boots are a Christmas present from Collin made by Sugar.