Crafty Thursday..

HI again! Back with more scrappy happy goodness to share.
I did both of these layouts in record time...using a digital template and adding a little customization..whamo, it's done!  There is something to be said for simplifying the process to record the memories..for that is what it is about anyways.  I am so liking this digital way right now.

And aren't they oh..so cute!  Love it, but love these 2 monkeys more!

xoxo, K ..back soon..

Easter 2010 Layouts..

I had fun using bright colors for these spring layouts. MC and Rylan each have their own books so I'll be doing a couple layouts for each of the big events and holidays.  And I have decided to use the 365 photo a day book for our family album, to make it a reasonable expectation to stay somewhat current with all of our books. 

 Oh yea..and I have a sports book, a christmas album, an anniversary album...and I wonder why I can't keep up??  Unfortunately I enjoy them all so I'll have to find a way to make it work.

:))))

I have a few more layouts  ready to post soon! xo, K

Ten on Tuesday!

Makenna Claire style..

1. First off..here is her third birthday layout.

2. And here she is now, at the sophisticated age of 3 1/2.

3. And I think the above saids it all...doesn't it?

4. As I type this the kids are playing "family" with babies, under Rylan's highchair, sharing milk.  Ahhh..these moments are so cute.

5. Don't think twice about it..they certainly have their "at each other throat" moments as well.

6. How about Makenna Claire teaching Rylan lovely words like "nnnnnnnnnnNO!" which he chants back, seeing who can be louder.    Oyyyy..

7. This past weekend we spent in Union Pier, Michigan at this lovely home.  A wonderful get away and it was such an awesome time to cycle 75 miles through Michigan and Indiana.  Scott, Brad, DeChantel and I smoked the rolling hills and had a blast!  A huge thank you to Mom and Phil for supporting us and watching our kiddos.  We couldn't have done it without them!  It's so wonderful to have family, who support us and encourage us in our athletic adventures.

8. And yesterday, we sat outside drinking wine all. day. long.  So very sweet indeed.

9. I am so happy to back to my scrapbooking hobby.  I absolutely love it and better yet, I love documenting and preserving our family memories. I can't tell you how many times MC has requested to look through her books.

 I have found myself moving more digital which opens a whole new world and level of...wow, I can do that?  Super cool!  I love the flexibility of it and it has a creative process of it's own.  The 365 photo a day project has definitely help me launch in this direction where each picture is it's own scrapbook page. I have also become proficient with photoshop elements (finally)...and once you know how to use it, it is such a great program!

10. Maybe this (#9) will help me get caught up in the kids books.
Nah......but it is fun!
Have a great week!  :)

Ten on Tuesday...

(started this on Tuesday..does that count?..happy wednesday!)


Rylan style...It's all about him today!  Right now..

1.  Right now...He's 13 months old already (as of Sept 20th) and full of pazaaz and personality.  Watch out world..we just might have another strong willed, independent spirit, maturing little person.  Can the world take him on?  Or better yet, how will this momma do with 2 very strong personality kids?  We shall see about the latter.


2. Right now...Ry definitely has a way of telling you how he feels, make no doubt about it, and can be very emotional about it at times.  Seriously, you're only ONE little dude!  He has shown us that he sometimes wants to be in control,definitely has a way of showing his frustrations and in actuality, he is a very good communicator.


3. Right now...On the move..all the time..gaining speed in his walking...climbing the stairs...now looks down when he walks and if he see's an obstacle, he'll either go around it, or if it looks unmanageble ( like a change in flooring or a steep decline, like the driveway), he'll crawl over it and get back up to walking.  Too cute.


4.  Right now...He gives the best kisses....open mouth and all. 


5. Right now...He does pretty well at using the spoon himself..definitely has the concept, but sometimes it's just not fast enough for him.  Fingers are still very much in style.


 He also has a thing for phones and remotes..if you have one in your hand, it's all his...he insists!


6. Right now....He has an endless appetite...he is such a great eater, eats all types of food, loves fruits, veggies, jelly sandwiches...and will eat and eat and eat, if allowed.  If he is done before everyone else, we must hurry up and consume our food or he'll insist on us sharing some. 


7. Right now... He hears music and starts to clap, dance (bending his legs) and gets all excited.  He even recognizes MC's favorite songs and gets over the moon excited with those tunes (indigo girls, sugarland).
Those produce quite the show.


8. Right now....His spoken word vocabulary is growing.
     Ga=dog
     Num num= food
     Mam mam mam= momma
and many other moans and sounds that sometimes can be deciphered, but not all that consistent just yet.


Waves hi and bye, points to to things, shakes his head yes and no appropriately.  Like I said, a very good communicator of his wants and needs, especially for 13 months.


9. Right now... He is still a Cuddlebug.  He wakes up from his afternoon nap crabby, and wants to be cuddled for awhile.  Sometimes a long while (30 min) , but this momma just soaks it in.  Also separation anxiety is at it's peak.  I cannot leave his sight without a little protest.  Hopefully the latter will subside soon..


10. And....Ahhh..and here's his birthday layouts.  Can you believe that only one month later, I have it completed?  Now, I must get back to scrapping his birth! hee,hee.. :0

Right now he is my sweet baby on the verge of being a little boy,  and very much enjoying toddlerhood.
Right now I love him so much, but for some reason that just continues to multiply greatly with each passing day...
Right now and forever...i love you Ry guy,
xoxo, momma


Next week...it's all about Makenna Claire at 31/2 years old.

Scrapping goodness

Ahhh..Fall is here and with the change in seasons, it seems I have more time to scrap!  Here are a few layouts I have created.....have a few more ready to show you, and another few in the works!  ;D Ahhh..

with a closer look at the journaling..

Much more to come!  xo,K

Ten on Tuesday...

1. Ahh..fall is somewhat here, at least in the morning and evening that is!  Our days are still filled with warm, short wearing weather, but with a high of 80, it is still nice.

2. a Case Fall = pumpkin lattes, pumpkin scones, honey crisp apples, Northwestern football, pumpkin farm adventures and a return to crafting and home goodness. Love it!   I love the change of seasons and love that we live in an area where we definitely have a change of seasons.  Bring on the cooler temps and the jeans and sweatshirts!

3.  I have done several scrapbook pages and have lots of goodness to share! Stay tuned.. pictures coming!

4.  OK...boy clothes.  All rumors and past stories need to be put aside, as they are so stinkin cute!  Maybe it's because I already have a girl, and a very girly, girl for that matter, but I think that little boy clothes are too cute!  How can THIS be denied??

5. side note..Have you seen this blog?
http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/
 Oh my goodness..how so creative and adorable!  I wonder how long she will be able to keep this up, but I will keep a watching, for sure.

6.  Rylan was in such a great sleeping pattern..what happened?? He got sick, and we are asking for it back. Peez...pretty peez..sleeping angels, do you hear me??  (thankfully it's just his naps, but it still makes for a very sleepy, crabby little guy)

7. La Croix sparkling water...it has been a staple in my house for years.  Mom and I have been a huge fan.  Well, now my whole family likes....no, loves it!  Rylan was just pointing to the box in the pantry and making a sound that said mom, i want some.  And Makenna Claire swipes my can whenever she can.  mamma mia.. i created monsters..

8. Remember this guy?

Mr. Serious has made a return with his one year portraits.

It might have something to do with his lack of sleep and or still not feeling himself.  Boo..

9. It still makes this momma very happy and smile..so I'll take it!  And him.

10. Rylan went down for his afternoon nap (thank you sweet sleep angels), so now MC and I are headed to play in our craft room.  Uh oh..now he is crying....:((

Hope you are having a great day! xo,K

I Want To Ride My Bicycle...

And today, Makenna did it! Gaga and Pop-Pop got her the bike for her third birthday; deep in the heart of a Chicago winter. Needless to say it wasn't going to see the outdoors for a few months after that.

We've been trying to get her to ride it but she's been too scared for whatever reason. So Saturday after Northwestern's big 37-3 win over ISU, we went to LL Bean in South Barrington. They had a tricycle there that she sped 'round the store in, but also a pair of kid-sized bikes where the training wheels had been put lower than the rear wheel, thereby giving them a stationary bike's worth of exercise without riding around the store.

She handled balancing on the bike like a pro and today while I was cleaning the garage, I took out her bike and put it down at the sidewalk level and barefooted, she took off down the sidewalk. She's getting the riding thing down like a pro, now we're working on using the coaster breaks to stop rather than the grass.

But congratulations to you, Makenna Claire! We're so proud. And she wants to go riding with EVERYBODY. She tells me that in the video.

Ten on Tuesday!

1. I almost forgot it is Tuesday...it so seems like a Monday.  Hmmm....

2. Scott and I ran away for a few days and stayed in the city.  A late birthday present for moi, but it was certainly worth the wait!  We had a wonderful time just being together, walking the city streets, eating Garrett popcorn (so YUM!), making pit stops to feed Scott's addiction (Inteligentsia Coffee), and being together.  Notice a theme ?????... :)

Oh yea, and I was able to eat several meals without stopping to add another item to our kids' plates, say...Makenna, please sit down, or clean up messy high chairs.  Ahhh...

3. But you know what?????....I missed those little toes, the happy giggles, the constant "why"s, the sweet snuggles, the "i love you momma",  and being a constant momma.  Are we ever happy??

4. Still, for a couple of days, it was nice.  Very. Nice.

5. We so heart Chicago.. so pretty, day and night.

6.  Billy Elliot...Oh. MY. Goodness!  If you have the chance to see it...GO!  It was completely amazing and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  I loved the story line, the meaning behind the play and the cast.  Seriously, the main character is 13 years old and he will knock your socks off!  It was his show and he carried it throughout.  We were in complete amazement at his talent.  

The play did want me to rush home and hug my kids though.  I hope I will always inspire them to follow their dreams and stay true to themselves, no matter what direction that may take them.   

LOVED it!  One of my favorites, for sure.

7.  Makenna Claire is loving preschool.  She can't wait for school days and on her "days off", she is the teacher and gives Rylan and I lessons.  Hee, hee... Today we learned the letter B and the color Red.  I wonder what they are doing at school???

8.  I think I held Rylan for about 12 hours today...the poor little guy wasn't feeling well and sporting a fever.  I am sure it's another viral illness...just hoping it will not be spread through the house.  fingers crossed..

9. Rylan's one year portraits may be closer to his 13 month pictures.....  ;0 

10. (home) Northwestern football kicks off this weekend....Fall is really here!  

That Billy Elliot thing?

Yeah. Wow. Damn. Dancing insane, language salty (they're English), not to be missed if you've not seen it already.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Grown up weekend away

It was the weirdest thing to wake up this morning because for the first time in ages, we did it on our own.

Not from the call of our little guy, not with the sound coming from the end of the hallway of a door being flung open and the silent run but rattle of somebody's "Ah" giving away her location, but on our own.

And it was different. Good for a few days, but different. You forget how quickly children become such a key part of everything you do and an all-encompassing role in your life that it's the absence of things that are noticed over time sometimes more than their continual presence.

It was a very restful night's sleep after a great afternoon and evening downtown. The noticeable thing when you're absent little ones is the ability to linger. Get lost in somewhere in a store or shop or restaurant? No big deal. Nobody gets squirrley. Well, I'm notoriously impatient and squirrley, but rather like being able to linger and hang out with Kelly without any sort of pressure to get moving. And that's the part I've enjoyed.

Dinner last night was at Tavern on the Park and they had the most amazing appetizer and quite a deal for it as well. It was a pulled chicken and roasted garlic fondue that was served with apples, naan bread and crostini for $12. That was *it*. We were happy with that and split a chicken entree and it worked for us deliciously. Walked all the way down to the Garrett's popcorn shop kitty-corner to DePaul, stopping in various merchants along State Street on the way down and back. We worked our way up Michigan Ave. a bit, enjoying the tourists and overheard bits of conversation. ("It's too crazy-ass cold here in the winter. There's no way I'd put up with it. Are you kidding me?")

We finished the evening at Fox & Obel, one of my favorite little places down here. We bought a bottle of Riesling that came with a wine education from the woman who worked in the department that was unparalleled (will share the "check the sweetness of your Riesling" shortcut later) and had a Key Lime tart and a carrot cake cupcake. As neither one of those seemed to get it done, we then closed with a pizza.

Having finally hit the food wall, we wandered back here and turned in respectably early compared to what we do at home, but nonetheless feeling remarkably late after the day of home life, work life and city life.

Today's the main event; we've got tickets for Billy Elliot and are very much looking forward to it. But first, breakfast beckons at a neighborhood place called Yolk that looks delicious. Of course since so much of my life revolves around food...I'll share a review later.

It's chilly out there today (only mid to high 60's). Considering it was 90 plus degrees earlier in the week, it's quite the shock. It's got that nip in the air that makes you think of cider...and football. Season opener today for Fitz's kids; Go Cats!

Pictures later...there aren't many Blog apps for the iOS and this one appears to not want to let me post a picture right now.

Location:Lower Wacker Dr,Chicago,United States