Creating the Good Life...

Lots of new Pictures

It's summer....it's getting close to end of term for Dean...lots happening with Spike's work.  All = lots of photos!

Love the picture of Spike!!  It was taken on Father's Day.  We had a big BBQ with about five other families and I snapped this as he was smiling at one of the kids running by. 

Yesterday we went to a special air show and BBQ at Duxford Air Museum.  The squadron Spike works with just won a very prestigious award, so there was a huge family celebration.   Tonight the festivities continue with a "Gold Tie Ball" at Dunston Hall.  (the men will all be wearing gold bow ties with their tuxes....sounds tacky, I know...but they managed to find a very nice, even classy gold!) 

The women were encouraged to wear gold dresses....again, sounds a bit ish....think champagne gold and it sounds much better.  I did not have the time (not he inclination) to shop for a ball gown, so asked a friend if I could borrow one (not mentioning that ideally it would be gold....b/c really, who has a gold gown hanging in the closet.)  Last week she brought me three gowns to try on......you will not believe it, but the first bag I opened contained the most gorgeous champagne dress with perfectly subtle gold threads running all through it...and it fits like a glove!!!!  WHAT ARE THE CHANCES??? 

A night on the town.....
Last Saturday we had a surprise party at The Angel Hotel for our friend Andrew.  As per usual, Lil had it planned to perfection...a private room, a mouthwatering menu, a stunning cake (that she made), and just the right group of people.

Another picture from Dean's birthday....I had just showed him his cake and he said "Mommy, how many candles is my cake going to have?"  I said "four you silly boy." He replied "I'm not actually three until tomorrow, so I just wonder if anyone will mind me having four candles."  What a sweetie!!!

Today his school did a production called "Sherwood Forest." He was a mouse.  He was so very very cute!!!

He kept looking back and giving us the sweetest smiles and tiny little waves.

In the last few days I have managed some scrapping, but it's all been for Pencil Lines and classes, so nothing to share at the moment.

And with that a little lady is calling from her crib...nap time is officially over!!

XOXO

Happy Birthday to Dean!!!

He is the sweetest kid I know.....just pure sweetness and goodness and love.  He's about as close to perfect as God makes them!

He has had two parties in two days....consumed massive quantities of sweets, burned thousands of calories on bouncy castles and huffed and puffed and blown the candles out (race track cake for Saturday's party and Spiderman cupcakes for today's party.)  On Saturday he shared a party with three other boys in his class, so between us we hired a village hall brought in two bouncy castles, a team of crafting divas, and had FOUR cakes. It was great fun.  Today we hauled another bouncy castle and our BBQ to our local village hall.  It was a gorgeous day (rare around here these days), so the kids split time jumping, eating, and playing in the fields.  It was a great day for parents and kids as we had some stellar cooks on the BBQ (and the "to make for Dean's party list".....thanks all of you!!!!)  It was a perfect day for a perfect little man.

Needless to say, we are all exhausted....I have so many pictures to share from the parties and the last two weeks, but they will just have to wait!

XO

We are GRAND.....

just unfathomably busy.

I know.....I know....I was going to slow down this year.  Really I have been slowing down...paying more attention to the things I am doing.  But it seems like from the 1st of May through the end of July we are booked solid....every weekend is booked and in most cases double and triple booked.  At the moment we are loving it...absolutely loving it.

Weekend before last Dean and I were sick...and I mean horribly, not leaving the bathroom sick.  Not nice!  Addie and Spike had Daddy daughter weekend, went to BBQs, went to church, did lots of DIY....just the two of them....that was nice....but Dean and I huddled on the couch.....not nice!

This last weekend, fully restored to health, Dean had a friend stay the night on Friday and Saturday (different friends.)  We had  a picnic at Dean's school Saturday morning, friends for dinner Saturday night (+ the sleepover), a birthday/bowling party Sunday and a birthday BBQ Sunday night. And then sports day first thing Monday.

I bake a lot...nearly every day.  But this weekend I think I set a person record....In 24 hours (from Friday afternoon to Saturday) I used 18 eggs and 9 sticks of butter....I baked a Chocolate Amaretti Cake (for dinner Sat), a Black Russian Cake (for birthday man on Sunday), Pineapple/Coconut Loaf Cake (so good...try it...but I would use tidbits not chunks of pineapple as it made the cake VERY bottom heavy) for the Sunday BBQ, four loaves of Banana Loaf cake (one for our friends who just had baby, one for our friends who thought they were in labor (but false alarm),  one for Amanda at Your Touch of Craft, and one our neighbors.)  Then, b/c I had made nothing for my family to just enjoy as and when they liked, I baked chocolate cookies w/ white chocolate chips. Baking...not blogging...that's what I have been doing!

And some pics...

Ad loved the slide at Anna's

My mom got this dress (Hannah Anderson) for like five dollars at their sale.....excellent job mom!!!

She has a shoe fetish.  She is constantly wanting her shoes changed (she has so many shoes.....I will not tell you how many pairs.....but will tell you it is inappropriate number.....I have only ever purchased ONE pair for her....others gifts....who can resist buying little girl's shoes, they are so cute.)  OK, I totally digressed for a minute.  When she has had enough of her own shoes, she puts on everyone else's (often right over whatever shoes she happens to have on.)

Thank you to the ones who organized face painting for the school picnic.  On Sunday people kept commenting that Dean really had a tan....but oh no, it was just that the red face paint had stained his FACE!!

Love the way the kids are always laughing w/ their Daddy!!

My Pencil Lines from last two weeks:

And I am off....to bake of course (seriously though....have baby shower tonight and am in charge of baked goods.) : )

XO

ETA: Re: Pineapple/Coconut cake recipe.....Deb asked "what is sour cream"?
It's the same thing as creme freche'.  I must also add, (b/c anyone who knows me will certainly know my feelings on this and likely not believe I actually touched the container, let alone used in it a recipe) I think on principle sour cream is gross.  I NEVER EVER eat it and the coconut pineapple cake is the fist time in my entire life I have cooked with it.  I did eat a piece of the cake (if you know me, stop rolling your eyes....I DID EAT SOME OF THE CAKE) and it was amazing and did not have a single hint of sour cream/creme freche'. 

These Pictures

 say so much about my two.

Background:  Dean has taken over Spike's camera.  He takes pictures of everything.  He is very good with it...he's super careful, knows how to turn it on and off and how to look at his pictures. Did I mention he takes LOTS of pictures???



He is explaining to Addie all about cameras and taking pictures.  Addie of course, wants anything Dean has.



Dean is SO PATIENT and SO ARTICULATE...explaining to Addie that "Dad has trusted me with this camera.  You are not responsible enough to use it yet, but when you get bigger I am sure you can have a go."  (he talks like that....I am NOT kidding you!)



Addie does not (now or ever) give up...she begins to plead with him. He, staying very patient and calm apologizes, but stays firm "You are not responsible enough Addie.  You are too little."



She starts to shout at him.....really really shout!



She thinks a quick lunge to the back with finally get the camera into her little hands.

 
Camera still out of reach, so ........ she head butts him.

They ware so funny together!  I love the way they interact.  They both adore each other so much.  Mornings are the best...Addie is always up first (and super early...URGH).  The minute she gets up she is asking for Dean.  As soon as she hears him come down the stairs (a fairly new occurrence...him coming down the stairs by himself as opposed to calling for us) she drops what she is doing and runs to him and give him a huge cuddle.  Then they chat and play and eat and generally pal around together.  (To paint a fair picture, I should mention that she often goes to the bottom of the stairs, climbs onto the safety gate, shakes it with all her might and calls his name at the top of her lungs!!)
Love the whole brother/sister dynamic.

Lots of Pictures

see....I am going to get back to blogging more.

First must share a layout I have just done:



I love it b/c
a.) I LOVE the picture of Addie
b.) The papers look like they were made to go with that photo (perhaps the designer at My Mind's Eye has a little girl who also has that outfit!)
c.) It records so many of Addie's nicknames (you know we are all about nicknames around here)

You can come make this layout (and another, yet to be seen) on Tuesday June 3rd at Your Touch of Craft. I added a few more class dates, so check with Amanda (or check back shortly for an updated sidebar.)

Now, back to scheduled programing.....
Aside from giving my word that I would get back to posting pictures more frequently, I am well into Blurb and am in the process (ok, very beginning) of turning my blog into a lovely hardback book.  As I have been getting set up to do it, I have been reading over lots of posts (often laughing myself silly) and really getting an appreciation of how my blog has preserved little snippets of our families story....loving it all over again!!

As I have been getting back into reading some of my favorite blogs (Ali, Emily, SouleMomma, etc) I am all again excited about the little details of life, the small little bits that make up our life...our story...and I am just loving the simply, everyday things we do.  It's inspiring me to take lots of pictures (with Spike's point and shoot none the less) of our outings, our cooking, our backyard games. 

Evidence:

Addie Pics



Addie is the jabbering-ist little lady I have ever known.  She repeats EVERYTHING you say and comes up with narratives of her own.  She has been saying bye-bye and waving for a while now, but she has taken to it with such enthusiasm....walking friends to their cars, waving and saying bye-bye well after they have driven off, then she will look to the road and stand and wave and chat to the cars as they pass by....getting her back inside is a bit of a chore!!



On our way home from a picnic at the green next to Kathy's (the kids English Godmother.)  She sent them home with mini ice cream cones which Addie thought was heaven.
Take notice.....she has a new hair do....for three days running she has left the clip in her hair (sometimes the clip is backwards, but yeah, we are getting there!)



Ever since she started eating "real food" she has insisted on feeding herself (which is so different than Dean, who would gladly let anyone spoon feed him.....still to this day!)  Her independence has not been without hangups......imagine a 12 month old trying to feed herself soup or cereal or any other less than perfectly solid food....not always so pretty!!!

We have recently moved into the arena of "children's dishes".  I have always fed my kids on our "regular" dishes....never was into the whole plastic plate business.  That was.....until Dean ate somewhere (not remembering where at the moment) and they had Super Hero plates.....that's all he can stand to eat on now.  And Addie must also have a Super Hero plate (dad and mom still eat on proper (and super LOVELY if I do say so myself) dishes....we had to draw the line somewhere.

Dean Pics:

 



The lunch (from pics above/ Tuesday) was prepared by Dean.  We made a HUGE HUGE HUGE batch of pesto.  He did everything (aside from chopping the garlic.)  He washed the basil, pinches the leaves off, did all the dumping (of cheese and pine nuts) and the pouring of olive oil. 

He and Addie both love pesto as much as I do....to us it can be a meal on it's own (yes...right off the spoon.)  We like it very garlicky and really chunky (heavy on the pine nuts and Parmesan cheese....light on the oil.) 


For every bite Dean took, he gave Addie one and then they shared slurps of water from the same glass (Dean's favorite free-bee glass.)  That is so very Dean...making sure Addie is included and that she gets her fair share (OK, he has been known to gyp her on the sharing of Pez.)

I love cooking with my kids.  Such an opportunity for learning and growing and sharing.  The kids are involved in the majority of the cooking that goes on in this house.  I think it's such a shame to ban them from the kitchen (and often plunk them in front of the TV) when they can contribute and learn so much in the kitchen.  Sure it's messy (usually super messy) and takes about twice as long as going it alone, but it's infinitely more rewarding to all involved. 

Back to Addie Pics (not b/c I favor  her in picture taking....but she will cooperate, Dean is loving putting his hand up to jinx my shot....boy will he be sorry when our "blog book" has more shots of Addie than him...HAHAHA!)





After our pesto lunch, we made a double batch of "Aunt Jone's" chocolate chip cookies. (We are making cookies this afternoon and that make seven days in a row of cooking baking activity at our house. Don't worry, we share most of the cookies (one day it was a birthday, one day it was to share with all our neighbors, one day it was for my home group/bible study....you get the picture!) 

Dean is now an expert at all things baking and will not stand for flour being rudely scooped up....he insists it must be spooned and leveled.  No short cuts in our kitchen!!!!
B/c he was being a turkey with picture taking, I don't have a picture of Dean manning the Kitchen Aide, but must tell you how cute he was.  He has gotten so good at controlling the speeds and moving the bowl up and down.  I said "Wow Dean, you have gotten so good at this."  He chuckled and said "Of course I have gotten quite good Mommy, I'm nearly a MAN!!"

I must get going to pick up Dean.  We have a busy weekend, so I will likely not be back until Monday (shocker!!)  I am having a house full of kids tonight (8 in total.....I figure I can handle any number of kids so long as I have lots of home made cookies!!!)  Tomorrow we have a play date with some boys from Dean's school and then Spike and I are off with a group to a concert in Abby Gardens (part of the Bury Festival).  Sunday we are up bright and early to Bewilderwood, A Curious Tree house Adventure (which I hear is just amazing!!)

Have a great weekend (and know that your kind and lovely comments will be forever commemorated in our blog book :) )

XOXO

Is this becoming a trend???

Only blogging on Mondays I mean.  I have made some very serious promises to various friends and family that I will make every effort to at least post pics of the kids a couple times a week....there, I said it, now I will have to do it!

Pictures first, then random updates in no particular order.....

The weather is so lovely she can finally wear this super cute outfit Sara and family got her for her birthday.

Very cheeky little smile (and of course that freakin' bunny that she takes EVERYWHERE!)

She carries her bunny and her NuNu (pacifier) in this bag.  (and it's a coffee stain that will NOT come out in case you are wondering).  When she walks she holds her little arm right up in the air to keep the bag from falling off her shoulder......really doesn't get cuter than that!!

Dean really loved this whole "self-portrait" thing....we took so many pictures, pulled so many faces, acted so goofy and silly and loved every minute of it! 

Running:
I have been doing very good.  Did the 7 mile route twice since my very unsatisfactory initial run of it.  Both times were much better.  Today Addie and I did 4.5 miles.

Factory New:
Spike will walk in the door tonight and think I have had a new stove/range installed.  It is so shiny and sparkly, there is no way he will believe that it is our old crap stove.....until he looks and sees that two of the three knobs for lighting the burners are missing (they apparently do no make them anymore.....they are very cheap and melted (honestly, the heat of the oven underneath melted the knobs.)  Anyhow, the knobs are not the point....the point is, I have  gone on the most extensive cleaning spree ever known to man.  When Spike realises I have not infact purchased a new stove, he will automatically assume I have re-hired the cleaner (we had a cleaner for about year.....I decided with the exchange rate and rising costs of living, it was no longer reasonable...so we have been sans cleaner for about 2 months.....I do not like it one little bit....but dislike the cost of having one even more.)
I have already had the neighbour over to look at how clean my stove is, but she left before my shining of the sink was complete.....let me just say that it is so clean and shiny you can see your reflection in perfect detail.
I hate to go on about cleaning, but I must say, I have resolved to have Monday be my cleaning day.  I feel like I clean ALL THE TIME, but my house is never CLEAN all at once.....you know what I mean....I clean the kitchen about twice a day, I vacuum twice a day (not b/c I am a neat freak.....It's just life with little kids).  I will do bathrooms one day, then dusting one day and then a few days later do all the floors really well, but by the time I get that done, the bathrooms need doing again.  Never ending cycle of frustration. 
So, do not call me on Mondays b/c I will be busy cleaning the whole house...top to bottom.

Crafting:
Anna came over last week and we made our Ali Edwards Life is Beautiful albums (which Anna so kindly bought us).  I did mine with all Dean's favourite pictures, thinking he would love to have something small he could tote around with him.  He took one look at it and said it was "boring".  He didn't like any of the pages with the journaling, he said if I put photos there instead, it would be "ok" but the cover would still be boring.  Thanks Dean!

I have been really into Ali's postings on Words + Photos and have enjoyed trying it out in my scrapping.  For my Pencil Lines layout this week I really tried to just focus on the words + the photo and forget about all the rest. 

I initially did the journaling all by hand but really hated it, so I typed it out, pulled the handwritten one off and slapped this one down.

I have been so busy making of these albums (and more pics here) for baby gifts and birthday gifts, I haven't had much time to do layouts...but do have one using the SA May kit to share:

I really must get back to cleaning now!!  :)

XOXO

PS I am teaching the above album class tomorrow at YOUR TOUCH OF CRAFT....they have just moved (to the most amazing shop) and have a bigger classroom, so more spots have opened up!  Come and join us....you will love it, I promise!

Happy Mother's Day, a Bird House, Pics C/O Dean, and Running

Happy Mother's Day:

One exceedingly Happy Momma

Dean decided since it was Mother's Day it was "my turn" to have my photos taken.  He was so into being the photographer...he did lots of "oh wow, good one Mommy" and "that's perfect" and "do our sign mommy, great job." (photo above is "our sign"....although Dean does it with his two fingers together...very cute!)

So I realise Mother's Day was yesterday...but I was nowhere near the computer. 

I was surprised with blueberry pancakes for breakfast and a gift certificate for a day at the spa.  I am in another one of my "we have WAYYYYY TOO MUCH STUFF" phases, so put forth the sincere request for no more "stuff".  I can always use a little pampering though!  After breakfast we went to the South Suffolk Show (a county fair of sorts.)  We met up with friends and had a pic nic and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  Dean made me a bird house:

He was well into using power tools.  Once home he decided he wanted to paint it:

It  is now hanging on our back fence.

We spent the afternoon in the garden working like crazy....we got so much done!!  We cleared out all the beds, relaid black cloth, replanted and then rebarked.  We have tomatoes, courgettes, strawberries and about every herb known to man planted.  We started pumpkins and beans, but they are waiting on the windowsill until they sprout and grow enough to be put outside.  I have flowers galore to get into my pots and hanging baskets (my activity as soon as I get off the computer.)

We barbecued salmon last night and didn't really set foot indoors until it was time to get the kids in bed (and call our Mothers!!)  I hope all you mother's had a wonderful day and were totally spoiled!

Running:
Berlin Marathon, September 28, 2008....I will be there....I will be running!!! I have signed up, paid and recieved my race number!  Training is on!  Today I ran 7 miles.  To be perfectly honest I felt horrible after about five miles (very frustrating b/c I normally run 4-5 miles 5 to 6 times per week).  I just couldn't get my head around why I was feeling so heavy and tired.....then it hits me....it's 25 degrees C (80 + degrees F) and I have no water.  Very amature don't you think???  Next time must remember to bring money to buy water (I can not carry water with me...totally messes with my Chi....so I buy it half way through, drink what I can/need and toss it.)

Until June 1st I am just doing my normal run routine, but from then until the end of September I am going to be a "real" training regime. 

One more picture care of Dean and my Pencil Lines Layout:

The base is a transparent divider I found in Holland....I have many more colours...so watch out for them.  It has a tab on the right which has the date...my scanner just cut a bit off.

With that I am out the door...off to dig in the dirt!

XO

So there we were

Rockin' out to some brilliant music...really one of the best concerts EVER!!!  Spike says it is the best concert he has ever been to and "why don't we do this more often" and "why didn't I realize general admission concerts were WAY BETTER than stadium concerts?"  I will say here and now that I have not danced, sung, or screamed like that in years.....it was a blast!

If we are not careful, we could become groupies...we could sell our house, get a bus and drive around Europe going to all the Mark Ronson gigs ... dancing and singing our hearts out.

Monday

Bust out the shades....

it's gorgeous in these parts!!!  We are having amazing weather....all weekend we have been outside.  Addie has dug up these glasses and between that and her "nunu" (aka pacifier/soother) you can't see a bit of her face....it's white blond hair and plastic at the moment.  TOO CUTE!!

We had such a great weekend....relaxing dinner with friends at a pub on Friday, all day outside Saturday and then Cinco da Mayo party at ours (BIG TIME FUN!!) and then Sunday lunch and hours of lounging around in the gorgeous sunshine at a friends house.  Really just perfect!

In a few hours Spike and I are off to a concert with Anna and Peter.  We are seeing Mark Ronson in Nottingham...I *LOVE* Mark Ronson and can not wait!!!!!  Super big thanks to Lil and Daniel for coming to stay the night with the kids!

A layout I did a few weeks ago for ScrapMuse using their April kit:

And I am off to work in the garden ....

XO

Very quickly

I have just had a superb session of yoga (of the real and true "go to the yoga studio" not the Wii Fit Yoga :) ), so I am not going to ruin my new stretched, relaxed and realigned self by spending too much time on the computer.....a few layouts and then I am off.

From my class last week at Your Touch of Craft:

It was a "supply savvy" class. I usually teach a technique (paint, sewing, creating flowers from cupcake papers, etc.) but I got to thinking that many scrappers are not going to bust out paint and glitter and needle and thread each and every time they want to create a layout.  AND I kept hearing "oh I love those shaped papers, but have no idea what to do with them"....ta da...supply savvy teaching!!

And my Pencil Lines from this week:

We are off to Cambridge shortly and then I am off to do a big huge grocery shop for the Cinco de Mayo party we are hosting on Saturday....I am cooking Mexican for about 20 people...like I said...very big grocery shop!

Ahhh...must share this pic Anna just sent over:

Did you notice my new very short hair?  What do you think???

It's SUPER short in the back (no way is it going into an "up do" any time soon) and then gets a bit longer (but still shorter than it's been in years) in the front.  I did have a "sweeping fringe" cut in (i.e. some very short layers of bangs) but they will safely remain clipped over or tucked behind my ears.  As much as I would like to be, I am not a "sweeping fringe" kind of gal (function over trend any day of the week.....and for me seeing out of both eyes is far more functional than seeing out of only one.) HEHE!

Have a great one!!

XOXO

Good Good Good

Perhaps Excellent would be a better descriptor.

What a fantastic weekend I had!  I had every intention of posting lots of pictures and stories on Sunday night, but when I got home I went for a long run with Addie, ate a wonderful dinner Spike had prepared and then spent about two hours on the phone (to five different states) catching up with family.

So here goes....

I spent the weekend with about 50 AMAZING, FUN and ADVENTUROUS women at the third annual Scrapping Angels weekend.  I taught two classes, which I always love...especially with these women.  They laugh at all my jokes and are so appreciative and excited about trying new things....Love ya ladies!!!

One of the hight lights of the weekend was meeting and working along side Lucy Folch.  She is s true delight and one of those women who just oozes artistic talent.  Give her a pencil, some paints and a white piece of cardstock and she will create the most AMAZING work of art!  I went way out of my comfort zone and doodled and painted like crazy.
Lucy sat with me and coached me through this lovely creation....I would NEVER known where to begin w/o her...THANK YOU DEAR!!!

 

Saturday afternoon I even got a couple layouts done using the SA April kit, my favourite being this one:

Then Saturday night Anna held her Auction for MS and raised 750 Pounds (1,500 US dollars.)  WOW!!!  Sue and I had so much fun playing models for all the lovely donated items....I was cat walking all over the place and laughing my butt off (again girls....send me some pictures!)

By midnight on Saturday Anna, Sue, Lucy and I headed back to Anna's.  We had every intention of going straight to bed as we were all shattered....but alas the Wii Fit was calling out to us and we spent about two hours in hysterics as we did all manner of yoga, muscle toning, and aerobic exercises (hoola hooping being a favourite....both to play and watch).
  (Izzy (Anna's 7 year old) and I spent another couple hours from about 6 am - 8 am Sunday morning "exercising".)  Not to toot my own horn, but....according to the Wii, I am a Yoga Master (for my execution of Sun Salutes) AND a Muscle Legend (for my squats)....not to mention of "ideal body mass index."  I was very sceptical of the whole game, but after it gave me such good reviews, I am it's biggest fan....HAHAHA!!!

And with that I will direct you to Pencil Lines for another week of fantastic layouts and add a few snapshots of the weekend!

XO

An Addie Picture and a few layouts

I have so many pictures and stories from Russia, I don't even know where to start.  It was such an amazing trip...words and photos don't seem to do it justice.  St. Petersburg is without a doubt the most beautiful, interesting and AMAZING city any of us have ever been to (and between Spike and I and my mom and dad we have been to A LOT of places!!!!)  It was like Rome, Vienna, and Prague all gathered together.  I had no idea it would be so European (where as Moscow was very much what I expected). Seriously the trip of a lifetime!  And really, it's only fair to mention the kids were so fantastic...beyond what we could have hoped for. 

I will definitely get some pictures posted in the next few days.

But until then...Spike giving Addie her very first baseball instruction. 

We have had gorgeous weather, so while dinner cooked, we played baseball and Addie wanted in on the action.  Spike found her a bat and she swung like she was in the Major Leagues.

And my Pencil Lines layouts for the last few weeks:

I love these pictures of Addie.  She is ALWAYS on the go and loves to follow Dean as he rides his bike.  Spike's older sister sent us that car when Dean was born.  He loved it and put quite a few miles on it, Addie is now following suit.

And my layout from two weeks ago....

OK, one more picture of Addie.  I ran 25 miles last week, most of them pushing Addie...so here she is + her bunny as we headed out for a run Sunday. (My GPS watch is fixed, so I know down to the foot how much I am running....YEAH!)

WE ARE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!

*St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow

Seriously amazing trip...trip of a lifetime really.  I have so many awesome photos to share....once I get all our other ducks in a row, I'll be back with a huge upload!

XOXO

OK, really can't resist sharing these two now

*again St. Basil's

*Gorky Park.....he has so much fun!!

quick recap and fond farewell for now

In five hours we are leaving for RUSSIA!!!!!!!!!! (more on that in a minute)

A few pictures and layouts.....

love the vintage look on this one...had to share both!



Dean is the smirkiest smirker of all time!



Check out all her hair...it seems to have grown an inch overnight.  She seems to be keeping the new clips in better than the others...but she is still with a tiny pony on top of her head most days.

My Pencil Lines layout from last week....loved doing it, love how it turned out!!!

Inspired by Rhonda Bonifay's layout in the Ki gallery.  Had lots of the papers from a kit I designed for an Australian company, so went to the gallery for a little inspiration....loved Rhonda's layout so much and immediately knew it was perfect for this picture.

 

Little sneak of my PL layout for this week

Monday we went to London to get our visas for entry into Russia.  The journey started a bit like the opening for a National Lampoons movie, but turned into a wonderful day in the city.  After dropping off all our paper work at the embassy, we went to the British Museum (I have been about 6 or 7 times and never tire of it...one of the best done museums in the world...in my humble opinion.)  We went specifically for China's Terracotta Army exhibit and then spent a great deal of time at the Parthenon exhibit, which is my favourite...I can't go to the museum without seeing it.  Dean slept (in Addie's stroller) most of the time we were there and Addie was absolutely smitten with every statue we went past...she would stop and stare and point and jabber and then have to be dragged away.  Let's hope they are as stellar in all the museums we are about to hit in Russia.  After the museum we did some shopping had a great lunch at our favourite Italian cafe Prezzo and then spent a couple hours in Hyde park before collecting our visas and heading home.

Since then it has been at the park and biking and spending days with friends.  You would think Dean is training for the Tour de France the way he is obsessed with his bike.

Addie follows right behind him on her car.  Spike's older sister sent us that car when Dean was born and it's probably the best gift we have ever received....he loved pushing and then riding that car and really only gave it up the end of the summer when he became confident on his bike.  Now Addie is in LOVE with it and rides/scoots it everywhere.

OK, now really I must shut down the computer, take a nice relaxing bath and get this family on the road.  I am often frantic before a trip trying to make sure everything is packed and everyone is sorted, but this time I am all organised and calm and the car has been packed since this morning...nothing to do now but sit back and enjoy the ride!!   We have an absolutely pack 8 days ahead of us.  We meet my parents as soon as we land in Moscow and the touring begins immediately.  As thrilled as I am about Russia and all the amazing places we are going to experience, the true highlight will be hanging out with my parents....Moscow and St. Petersburg are backseat to family any day :)

I will be back with lots of pictures to share thanks to Anna who has so generously lent me her camera....mine has been playing up and I have been sick with the thought of it going out again on my trip.  Love you girl!!!!

XOXOXO

Alright, and just for laughs...I sent my parents an email last night with these pictures with a subject "to be sure you recognize us at the airport".......Addie will be the one shouting and Dean will be the kid pulling faces....

Pics and Stories

New Hair Do:

The only option since she can't seem to keep a clip her her hair for more than two seconds (she insists on ripping them out).

Who Has The Most Weapons:

candlestick, revolver, rope, spanner, dagger, lead pipe

In my defence, I was feverish, achy, nearly delirious with lack of sleep.

Our families new favourite game is called "Who has the most weapons?" It's a young man's version of Clue (known UK as Cluedo).

Dean is a VERY keen game player.  Everything from Candy Land, to Shoots and Ladders (UK Snakes and Ladders) to Mah Jong, to Monopoly (the big people version no less).

The other night (when I was not feeling so well), he got out Clue and asked me to teach him how to play.  What was I to do....clearly I could not explain about hiding one of each type of card (person, room and weapon) in an envelope, dealing the rest of the cards and then making our way around the board, ticking our guesses as to what was hidden off on a card. 
So...... I made up a new game....we put all the weapons and their matching cards in the different rooms, rolled the dice, moved our people around the board and collected the weapons/cards as we made it to different rooms. 

He who had the most weapons won.....candlestick, revolver, rope, spanner, dagger, lead pipe.

May I reiterate,  I was feverish, achy, nearly delirious with lack of sleep.

So now that I am feeling better, it's too late to "take back" the "who has the most weapons" game.  We are stuck.....for the moment, it's our signature game.

Me + TV

I know....seems impossible, BUT I have spent the last few hours in front of the television (with my computer on my lap and a few good magazines at my side).....Spike is out for a poker night and I have had one of those days where I didn't stop...

So tonight I have watched one episode of NCIS (my mother in law turned us on to this and it's very very good), Lilly Allen and Friends (first time ever watching....loved it and am going to get us tickets as soon as she starts taping again), and now I am watching The Big Easy....my favorite movie of all time (seriously LOVE Dennis Quaid and really have some FANTASTIC memories from our many trips to New Orleans (when we lived in Florida it seems we went every few months).....oh and how can anyone not love the music?)  I have probably seen this movie 25 times (I know...for someone who can't stand TV (to include most movies....sorry) that's a lot of times to watch the same film, but I do LOVE it!)

I guess that's my TV quota for the year...haha!  Tomorrow I will be back at my books!

A Little Bit O' Scrap:

My last few Pencil Lines layouts

Be sure to check on Sunday....there is a great new sketch going live and I LOVE the layout I've done.

Next Week:

We are off to the Russian Embassy in London for our visas...in ten days we will be in Moscow and the St. Petersburg.  As excited as we are to go to Russia, we are even more excited to be seeing my parents (who are meeting us in Moscow.)  Every morning for the last few weeks Dean wakes up and asks "is today the day we are going on the airplane?  Do we get to go to Russia today? Are we seeing Grandma and Grandpa?"  And then he asks if it's his birthday.  Everyday, like clock work.  (I told him that his birthday was "after daddy's" (as in the next in the family) but he took it to mean the very next day, so now he asks everyday and when I tell him it's not for three months, he give me this look like "you said it was after Daddy's....what do you mean in three months?"

And there....I am off...to finish my movie and get to bed!
Happy Weekend!
XO

Happy Snowy Easter

*On our way to church this morning w/ Addie's new little lamb and lots of snow

*Gorgeous girl in her Easter dress from her Great Grandma and Grandpa

*Dashing young man

*Dashing young man with new umbrella and squirt gun (from a party he went to yesterday....NOT his Easter basket)....he decided the best way to get the snow off the car so we could go to church was to blast it off with his water gun

We are all finally feeling human again.  Midweek Addie woke up with a 106 degree F/41 degree C temp....she had a very very rough couple of days.  Poor thing started us off on this about three weeks ago and then got it again.  Hopefully we are on the mend and go from strength to strength....we have got places to go and things to do already....HAHA!

We have had a great morning.  Dean is at such a fun age for hunts and treats and surprises. He had two cars in his basket and Addie didn't have any.....he said "Well Adddie, the Easter Bunny obviously made a mistake, I will give you one of mine."  What a fantastic big brother!!!! He loved all the treasures in his basket and we have hid the eggs again and again and again (boys are currently hiding them AGAIN) and I am about to be called for the hunt.

Must be off...

Happy Easter!!

some facts

1.) it has been 12 days since I have updated (oops)  (sorry)
2.) it has been 12 days since I have been on a single website or blog
3.) facts one and two are the result of nasty virus (causing horrendous body, ear and throat aches and unrelenting fever) AND bronchitis (causing the coughing up of marble sized solid green chunks of YUCK!)

it's going on three weeks of this

not nice at all

i got antibiotics monday.....am mildly (very mildly) improving

addie is the only one in the house who is her normal self.....spike went down with it yesterday....raging fever for him today....dean is not a lot better than that

saving grace is wonderful friends who have delivered lunches, dinners, cakes, and flowers and taken turns caring for Addie

looks like our big Easter dinner (14 adults and 8 children) may have to change venue.....URGH...so looking forward to having so many of our friends over

so that's us.......

be back with you when i can!

BLECK

The girls at our house are sick...we've got the yuck, the crud, the fever, the horrible nasty stuffy yet runny nose, the oozing eyes, the sore throat, the ear ache, the body ache, the head ache..NASTY NASTY NASTY VIRUS!!!

This + Addie's four new teeth.....NOT NICE!!  Oh, must not forget...Addie also has an angry body rash.

Prayers, good vibes, get better quick advice all much appreciated!!!!

And I will leave you with this layout I made on Valentine's Day.  Inspired by the desire to make sure "real life" stays in my scrapbooks.  So the journaling on the top is all little quirks about us/things that can annoy us about the other.  And the bottom is all the wonderful things about our relationship and our life.....our beliefs, habits, feelings, etc.  We aren't perfect....but we sure do love each other....love our life....love our family!!