Friends *Kazan Sketch #23*

I was so sad I didn't get to play last week over at 2 Sketches 4 You. I just couldn't quite get it done after trying to play catch up from our little California excursion. I'm so happy I'm able to do this week. I'm lovin' Kazan's sketch. It is so versatile. I just flipped the sketch to make this little friends card.

California Adventure

Ty and Alena were off for Spring Break last week and were also off this past Monday. Amanda was needing a little break from her college studies as well, so she decided to come down on Friday and the four of us headed off to California Friday afternoon to visit my dad. We had such a wonderful time. We arrived Friday night at my dad's and just had a relaxing time with him that night. My brother Mike and his wife Monica came on Saturday to visit with us and we all went to lunch. It was fabulous. Sunday we took off to visit my brother Harry and his wife MaryLou. My niece Julie came over to visit, too. We always have such a fun time with them. We visited the beach where I grew up. It was so windy that I couldn't believe it, but it was so beautiful. I can't even describe how much I miss the beach sometimes. While driving down to my dad's on Friday the children ganged up on me and convinced me we just HAD to go to Disneyland. Soooooo on Monday we drove from my Dad's to Disneyland. Driving through that rush hour traffic was about my undoing, but we all survived (barely) and spent 12 hours of fun, fun, FUN at the happiest place on earth. We stayed the night in Anaheim and then drove home yesterday. We crammed a lot into our little California adventure and made some pretty great memories along the way.

Youth Art Month *2S4Y Kazan #22*

In celebration of Youth Art Month the gals over at 2 Sketches 4 You have come up with a wonderful idea. Not only are we sharing cards made with Kazan's wonderful sketch, but we are also sharing cards made by our children. I just love it!! I'm so amazed at all the fabulous creations made by the children (and the moms). My daughter Alena (13) was excited to make cards for her niece and nephews. She just adores them and is pushing for status as favorite aunt. I'm sharing with you all a card that I made and one of the cards that Alena made and was willing to share. Mine is the welcome home card and Alena's is the Easter card.

Meeting Kazan *thank you 2S4Y*

Now I am going to make all of you from 2 Sketches 4 You jealous...I got to meet Kazan!! Soooooooo fun! She is just as sweet and wonderful and gorgeous as I imagined and has the two most adorable little girls in the world. Where did we get to meet up?...at a scrapbook store...more fun!! I just really want to thank both Kazan and Laura for providing such wonderful sketches. A card I made from one of the DT tryout sketches was just requested by Cards magazine. It is my first time being published with them. woohoo! I also want to thank all of you that leave me such sweet and wonderful comments. You all are THE BEST!

The Eagle Has Landed *finally* whew!

Ty received the rank of Eagle Scout last night after his Eagle Board of Review! yeah!!
It has been a long time coming. I am glad I am the mother of only one boy for this reason only...I could not go through the whole Eagle Scout thing again. For mothers of young boys who would like their son to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout...start YOUNG. Have them get every merit badge possible at the age of 11. It really is quite an accomplishment. There are 325 requirements that a scout needs to accomplish in order to receive the Eagle Scout award. This past year I was wondering if it was all worth it, but last night at the Board of Review, I would have to say it IS. The Court of Honor will be held when all the paper work gets back. Probably in about six weeks. I just want to let Ty know I really am proud of him. I know I gave him a lot of flack during this whole process. I wasn't sure at times if we would both survive, but we did and are both better for it. Love ya Ty!!

teen birthday *2S4Y Kazan Sketch 21*

My daughter has several friends with birthdays coming up so I decided to make some teen girl cards. I made this one with a matching envelope from Kazan's fun sketch #21 at 2 Sketches 4 You. I know the colors are my daughter's favorites, so I hope her friend will love it, too.

Past, Present, Future...Our Family is Blessed

This was the best weekend. The only complaint I have is that it went by WAY too fast.
Our whole family was able to be together as my new little granddaughter was blessed in church. We were able to travel to my oldest daughter's home and celebrate this occasion with her. It was also my son's 18th birthday so we celebrated that, too. It may seem a little odd that I included pictures of our family at a cemetary in this celebration of life post. I think it is pretty fitting, however. The cemetary is located in a small town where the generations of both my husband's mother and father grew up. I think our family is probably related in one way or another to almost every one in that cemetary. We drove through this town on our way to our daughter's house and wanted to stop by the old cemetary. My husband's ancestors were pioneers of this area and sacrificed much so that future generations could be blessed with the blessings of our religion. We owe them so much. So as we went to celebrate the new life of my little granddaughter, Kylee, and the birthday of our son Ty, I think it was important to remember that it was these ancestors that made these occasions possible for us. I love that on our way home we were able to drive by the Manti temple. Our family believes that in these temples are the realization of our belief that families can be together forever...and that is what this weekend to me was all about.