.....a favorite pastime

Here are a few layouts I have been working on the last couple of weeks. I haven't had as much time as I would like to have, but I'm not complaining. I've been cleaning out closets and clearing out Caleb's bedroom for a complete makeover!! His room needs a fresh coat of paint desperately, it hasn't been retouched since we moved in over 12 years ago. Since he is living in an apartment in Norman, now seems like a good time. The pics of Grayson (above) were taken while Jen and I were watching the kids for Jamie and Joel last September. He is such a ham.....

This little layout features Mr. Morgan, he always has such a sweet smile.

Here is M. showing off his standing skills. He'll be walking any day now...

On my list to do tonight...
grade papers
fix dinner
finish laundry
call Caleb
pay some bills...

......or maybe I should just scrap some more!!!

.....something new

Last Saturday when we couldn't scrapbook, Robin, Kathy and I decided to do some retail therapy. Since it was just after Christmas there wasn't really anything I needed to buy--and no extra money in the budget to shop! But what could we do to pass the time until it was late enough to have lunch (and our margaritas!!!). Kathy wanted to go into a T.J. Max, and I had never been in one before. I was kind of looking around for a new purse, just keeping my eyes open in case I saw one I really, really liked. The ones I did like were a bit too pricey for me. But, I did fall in love with all the colorful kitchen accessories. I found a heavy wok for stir frying---and it had a RED handle on it! Since I love to stir fry and had been using a large skillet, I decided I had to have it. It was only $20, what a bargain! And, I'm sure the red handle will make the food taste better!!
I tried it out this weekend, using a simple recipe that I came across in Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine. I improvised a bit, using the ingredients I had on hand. I used cut up chicken breast, green, red and yellow sweet peppers, olive oil, sesame oil, garlic, honey, rice vinegar any soy sauce. Served with rice---it was yummy! I love it because it makes a really quick meal with not much clean up. We'll definitely have this again soon!!! And, YES, I did find the perfect purse later in the day.....

.......he loves tents!

After hours upon hours of playing with all of the new Christmas toys, Grayson was ready to pull out one of his favorites that is kept at Neenie's house---his giraffe tent. I bought it a couple of years ago to put out in the yard for some extra shade during his summer visit. He loves it. He now has a Thomas Train tent to play in at his house. The tradition seems to be, "let's see how long Neenie (or mommy or daddy, etc.) will sit inside the tent with me." He gets you inside and then zips up the "door" so you can't get out!!! Lots of fun.....I have memories of "building" tents when I was younger. But, ours weren't ready-made. We layered blankets and sheets over card tables or chairs, using wooden clothespins to keep the "walls" in place. We would gather up our favorite toys at the time and spend hours inside playing. There must be something special about tents........

.....store closing and new layouts

After selling our scrapbook business in Stillwater 3 years ago, my sister and I have been fortunate enough to still be able to spend some serious scrappin' time with a few of our wonderful girlfriends we met along the way. We've tried to meet up at least once a month for the entire day to scrap, catch up on each other's families, snack (chocolate, of course!) and laugh---a lot! Our day always includes a "delightful lunch hour (or two)", which is accompanied by yummy margaritas. Some days were an extra special treat because my mom would join us, too. Most days we would meet at Scrap Happy's in Tulsa. We had met the sweet owner, Melissa, during our business journey in Stillwater and she was always happy to accommodate us. When we arrived at her store Saturday for our monthly get-together, we were greeted by the window signs above. We were devastated, to say the least! To a serious scrapbooker, story teller, life book maker---this is serious. If you scrapbook, you know what I mean.... They were closed, getting ready for their "Quitting Business Sale", we couldn't even go in!!!! So, we did what any normal woman would do---we went to the mall to shop! Our lunch turned into a much longer "lunch hour" than usual, too. We had to console each other, of course! We'll be figuring out "Plan B" for our monthly meeting, but in the meantime, I sincerely wish Melissa all the best with a smooth closing of her store and her transition into whatever lies ahead of her.

And, since there isn't anything I can think of that would actually interfere or stop me from scrapbooking, here are a few recent layouts....

Morgan's first visit on Santa's lap didn't go so well, but I'm still happy with my layout.

Close up of ribbon tree, one of our "girl's group" challenges to each other.

Morgan's tiny baby feet---much larger than this now, of course!

Grayson "hanging and swinging" from his tree. He was so excited when he was able to grab hold of that branch and actually lift his feet off the ground!

Close up of embellishment...

I had a picture I took in Grayson's nursery when he was born. I thought it would be fun to document the "baby" items that were now found around the house.

This picture is from last Christmas, he really isn't trouble at all, but the

expression on his face matched the frame I had.

Have a happy day, the sun is shining!!!

A True Classic.....

Mr. Potato Head, he's still around. Never out of style. Did you know that the original Mr. Potato Head didn't even come with a potato body? Parents had to supply their own potato!!! This classic toy was first manufactured in 1952---he is older than I am!!! I love that Grayson is having so much fun with him...

Endless hours of fun.....

Meet Frosty, the Snowman.....

The snowy weather may have not been very much fun to travel in, but in the eyes of a child---it was exciting! Grayson couldn't wait to get bundled up to go outside and play. I told him I knew exactly where our sled was, and that he could get on it for a ride. He had so much fun....His daddy took him for his first ride....down the driveway,

make a smooth turn.....

"keep going, daddy".....

"this is fun".....

back up the driveway they come.....

he was lovin' it.....

I'm thinking, "he may last longer out here than me!"

What a ride!

Notice the plastic bags on his shoes?, We weren't prepared for snow play....

but we can make do!

Grayson helped us make a snowman, insisting on a real carrot for his nose and

buttons for his eyes, just like he had been reading about in his book!

He was so excited to pose beside his creation.

We asked him if it was a man or a woman. He said,"It's a man."

We asked him what his name was, "It's Frosty."

Isn't he just adorable!!!

And just for the record, Neenie got to pull the sled around too, getting enough

exercise in to last me a whole week!

things I want to remember.....(part 2)

Christmas Day

Morgan and Grayson in their matching p.j.s

(notice they are BOTH looking at the camera, good job guys!!!)

Caleb
(looking through his stocking:)

Jamie
(helping with Morgan's stocking)

sissy Jen
(trying on her newly knit scarf from mom)

Kelsey
(pretty in pink)

Roger
(he looks pretty serious, doesn't he?)

Me

(a self portrait, because I'm always behind the camera)

Joel & Grayson
(playing with Handy Manny Tool Set)

The Mess

(evidence of fun times!)

Morgan with his new green dragon from Santa

(just look at those cute cheeks!!!)

"Hey, wait! I want on, too!"

"I said, hold on please!"

"O.K., now I'm ready!"

"Let's go!!!"

We usually have a huge breakfast on Christmas morning after opening all of our gifts. This year was a little different since we were traveling back home on Christmas day. Thank goodness I already had chili ready for the crock pot! We decided to switch up our traditions a bit and had chili for dinner after opening the presents. We saved our Christmas breakfast for the morning after---when we were more rested and energized!!!

We had so much fun watching the boys open up their gifts. I'm very grateful that our family is able to spend so much time together during the holidays, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! I'm already looking forward to next year!!!