Wedding!

Our oldest son, Aaron, took himself a bride yesterday!!! :D It’s been a long & busy week as I made the cake for the wedding (started baking & frosting last Sunday!), but it all went *perfectly* and we now have the most wonderful daughter-in-law, Amanda!

I thought I’d share a collage of photos …

And in other news, I want you to hear it here first: I have discovered a new & serious condition and have decided that I have this condition known as “facebookitis” … the primary symptom of this condition is looking for a “Like” button everywhere I go & in every email or online convo! lol!

Have a wonderful day all! :D

Young Love + A Template

With all I’ve been doing with family and such, I decided my only new digiscrap release in my shoppe this week will be a new Timesaver Template! I used it to scrap this fun layout with my sons and their young ladies …

Young Love

Credits: Timesaver Template ScrapIt #4, Olde Tyme Junque kit

You can grab this great template throughout the weekend for 30% off – that’s about 88 cents loves! :D

One of the CT gals over at SUN, Janel, scrapped this beautiful page using the template, too …

Love Nest

Credits: Timesaver Template ScrapIt #4, Scalloped Tomatoes Mats 2 by Jennilyn Designs, Love Out Loud by LDrag Designs (all available at SUN)

JUST FOR FUN … A FREEBIE!

I had some heart doodles on hand and decided I’d package them up & share them with you all in this month of *love*. :D

Doodle Hearts – 2 acrylic, 1 fibers, 1 colored pencil

- Download here -

Blessings & happy scrapping y’all! :D

`·.¸¸.·´´¯`··._.· Cari `·.¸¸.·´´¯`··._.·

Moose Trail Acres: Photo Roundup

This past week we had our son Justin home from the Navy for a visit. He will be on his way to his new duty station in HAWAII next week where he will join his submarine, the USS Louisville. We also had our son Aaron home for a visit over the weekend and we celebrated his 24th birthday! Also in attendance for the celebration were Aaron’s girlfriend, Amanda, and Grandma B’J. :D While we were celebrating, a few more visitors joined us! Below are photos from this very enjoyable week we’ve just had …

This is our resident squirrel, whom I long ago christened “Chumba Wumba” (technically, there are several squirrels, all of whom I call by this name :D ) – most mornings he can be seen perched atop this old walking stick that is propped between three pine trees in my backyard garden. I was glad to finally snap his picture at his fav spot!

Testing the Ice - Justin outside on an early morning stroll around our place last Sunday before church

Sipsy ran out to say good morning to Justin in the yard

Justin showing me his awesome new jacket! I just love this, & may need to find a girl’s version for me! :D

MMMmmmmmm Cinnamon Rolls! Yep, I baked these yummers up early Saturday morning, & everyone enjoyed having them with dollops of butter slathered on top! :D

Mama Moose … here she goes, following along after Junior (off-camera here). We all loved seeing them pass by out our front window, and my mama laughed over how that moose is taller than her pickup. :D

Dessert Time!! I baked these scrumptious dishes, selecting my sons’ favs: Cherry Cheesecake for Aaron and Coconut Meringue Pie for Justin! :D

Birthday Time!!! Happy Happy Birthday Aaron! :D Uncle Bryan even called just as we were lighting the candles, so Grandma B’J held the phone to Aaron’s ear so he could hear Uncle Bryan sing Happy Birthday along with the rest of us! Awesome fun! :D

Mooses! Meeses! Oh my!! Those beautiful, huge moose both came lumbering through the backyard – some of you may recognize our little pond and my bench. At this point I was cringing as I waited to see if mama moose would step in the frozen pond, and whether any damage would be done to the pond (it has happened in past winters), but thankfully she detoured around at the last moment. Her young one was already ahead of her over in front of our little blacksmith cabin, so mama headed over and joined him …

Definitely *not* small animals! :D

Blessings & happy scrapping y’all! :D

`·.¸¸.·´´¯`··._.· Cari `·.¸¸.·´´¯`··._.·

Aaron Is... ~ Digital Scrapbook Layout

I'm working on a few layouts for the Creative Team I'm on, and really enjoyed creating this one of my son Aaron. (I've fixed the link to the larger version - it should work now.)

Aaron Is...

Aaron Is...

Funny
Thoughtful
Sweet
Handsome
Godly
Zany
Dreamer
WiseCracker
Generous
Smart

...our son

We are so blessed to have you in our life!

Credits:
All items by Inspired Mommie Designs from Forever And A Day at PrettyScrappy.com

Fonts: Times and Times Again, Tagettes, Castellar, Chocolate Box, Sybil Green, Carrington, DJumble, Candy Bits BT, Cry Kitty, 2Peas Drama Queen, Auburn

Another "And We Are PROUD" LO

Well I liked the "And We Are PROUD - Navy" LO of our youngest son so much, that I just had to come up with a similar themed LO for our oldest son. So I tried the "journaling first" style again, and I am surprised to say I really like doing it that way!

Here's the LO:

Here is the journaling text:

You decided one spring day
To give college a try.
You had been out of high school
two years at the time,
working full time.
When you made
your decision,
we worked to gather
all that we would need -
as a homeschooler,
there were extra steps to take.
We gathered your transcript.
Boy, was I glad
we had used a good program
for keeping records.
We gathered the
letters of recommendation.
Our friend, Walter,
the retired professor,
was glad to write
a letter,
and glad to offer other help.
We reviewed
a few subjects.
We prayed.
When you tested
at the U of I campus,
and called shortly afterwards
to tell me you scored so high
they accepted you immediately,
we REJOICED!
Our first son,
our first homeschooler,
our first to go to college.
That first year
we prayed, we worried.
Not about your grades -
they were great.
But you were supporting yourself,
and that was tough.
You made it through,
and your second year -
at NIC -
was a breeze.
You have two more years
at U of I.
But in May 2008,
at NIC, we saw
our first COLLEGE GRAD!
And we are PROUD!

.............*~*~*...............

Layout includes:

• Paperclip & Fram from Ami Collofello's Old-Fashioned Charm Element Pack at PixelGypsyDesigns.com
• String Hanger from {IntoThe}Twilight by Sherrie Piegdon at PixelGypsyDesigns.com
• fonts: TXTAnnesia, Will&Grace, Weltron Urban
• Paper from Berrylicious and Wild Flowers kits by A Work in Progress - vicki20.blogspot.com