Our Last Summer

{Click on pictures to view layouts & journaling}

Last night I was able to teach NYOBC last-minute. I think that fun was had by all. These are the layouts that I made to share....Thanks for peeking!

Stories from my Family Tree

Patterned Paper: Rusty Pickle; chipboard: Rusty Pickle, Basic Grey; letter stickers: Rusty Pickle; key: Tim Holtz; trim: Rusty Pickle {I backed the letter stickers with the corregated cardboard inside of a Starbucks cozy:)}

This is the challenge for The Story Matters this week. I have been waiting to use this quote for YEARS. I love it.

If a man has any greatness in him, it comes to light, not in one flamboyant hour, but in the ledger of his daily work.

-West With The Night

FOUND

*Edit* I know I just posted about this baby being lost a few weeks ago, but we haven't seen her since the end of May. She was in a Rubbermaid tote in the basement that stores all of Sydnee's shoes that I am waiting for Ella to grow into. There were about 3 Rubbermaid totes stacked on top of the shoe tote. Ella has not let her out of her sight since we found her...
To answer Jodi's question about the camera...this is the same camera...still trying to save for a new digital SLR. But I did get a great tip from Shelley Haganman {she is an amazing photographer in Iowa City}. She told me to use the P mode on my camera. It has been taking crisp, clear photos! Try it!

Back To School

The kids started school last Thursday. It was raining when we walked to the bus stop. They were very excited to start. The night before school we went to Unpack Your Backpack to meet their teachers and see their classrooms. Both of my kids have got great teachers. Syd even said "My dream has come true!" when she heard who her teacher was. This year is going to be great...

10 Days and Counting...

Got this happy mail on Saturday! Thanks, my friend in Hawaii....Can't wait to see you and all our friends.....

WHAT IS A PICKLE'S FAVORITE MUSICAL?

Hello Dilly. 1 Day At A Time Class..see my teacher's pet in the back, she rocked this class. All my TAs were awesome!

Hi 3kidsnotime! {You know who you are}
We just keep running into each other, don't we? Had a great time at The Scrapbook Expo. Seeing old friends and making new ones. The pickle classes were great!
These two are now famous! They rode around in Lisa Bearnson's car! Can't wait to see you all again soon.

How Did I Forget This?

Watched this also while my sistas were here. By the end of the movie we were replaying the dance scenes and jammin' in the family room. This movie really makes you want to learn how to hip hop dance. Sorry Sandee- I don't have any pics or videos :)

Just Ella & I

{New layout for The Story Matters blog...}
Two performers in our circus just left for school....school...school. I just love that word.

Summer 2008 Rocked!

Before Summer Ended...

Last week, Sydnee and her friend decided to have a lemonade stand. They did a great job, all on their own. They made the signs and the lemonade. They set up and even thought of using the straws to draw customers. They had a great afternoon sipping and selling lemonade.

Missing

Movie-Watchin'

Rented this for the kids and ended up watching it myself. Did you know Gerard Butler {from P.S. I Love You} is in this movie? It is very entertaining, if only for that reason...

Went to see this last week on the HDOTY. The movie theatre was cool...kids loved it. Even for the 2nd time.

Have you seen this yet? It is brilliant! I am warning you though, you are going to want to be dancing in the aisles by the end. My friend had to hold me back!
We rented this while my sisters were here. I loved this movie. We watched it three times. I think I am now a James McAvoy fan.
My lil' sis hadn't seen this....we watched it again. This is my fave movie of 2008. What movies have you seen lately that are good???

Yesterday, All My Troubles Seemed So Far Away...

I am missing my visitors. This week has been pretty unproductive, since last week we had so much fun. This week has been pretty lame after all the excitement last week brought. Especially when I was in my exercise class and I hear this Beatles song....man, I miss my visitors.
I went to boot camp again today. My muscles are aching beyond belief. I showed up this morning...really pumped and enthusiastic. Then the teacher said we were going outside. The last three times this has happened, I have chosen to stay inside and workout. Today I bit the bullet and went out. It was hot and the sun was beating down on us. But I did it, all alone, I did it. I did it because in less than 20 days my friends from far away are going to see me in a swimsuit and say 'Looks like Iowa has been treatin' you good!' Ha Ha. I am such a procrastinator. I will be at boot camp every day until the 5th of September. Please come friends, I hate going at this alone...

Utah Treats

One of the highlights of my sisters arriving from Utah were the treats they brought with them! Here are three of my favorites: Chocolate-Covered Cinnamon Bears {I just found out on the Sweet's Candy Company website that I can order these in bulk here - yippee! I am down to my last pound!}
Downeast Basic Skirts & Tops {Hayley was my personal shopper}
Grandma Sycamore's Homemaid Bread {This is only for Craig and I. My kids only got one sandwich from this bread since they don't appreciate it.}

A Week In Pictures

That's the end...Yo