Catching Up

Well, it has been a busy week. Ahhhhh "Peaching"... Mom, Teresa & I canned 200 lbs of peaches in 2 days.

I was surprised at how well Evan and Megan did without being fully entertained each moment. Things went very well. Last year Evan came down with a high fever and didn't sleep through the nights - so this year was a welcome change. I should have taken photos of all of the peaches when they were done. But just picture 75 quarts and 30 pints of juicy goodness. Mmmmm peaches!

So many memories were made. Where shall I start?




My dad is a marshmallow... After years of - don't feed the strays, Dad is the one that brings small friends home. He took Evan out to meet the new kittens - and then surprised us all by bringing one into the house. Evan loved it!





We enjoyed a beautiful sunset off the deck one evening - it always amazes me the beauty our Creator shares with us.



Megan started her attempts at crawling. How can it be here already? She gets to where she wants to go now without rolling being part of the factor. Soon she will be flying across the room. She is so sweet up on all fours - and I was so glad that Pa and Grammie were there to enjoy the event with me, but sad that Mark missed that first moment. Although he was very impressed when we got home.



Dad treated us to supper after a full day of canning - He and Evan went into town with the top down - enjoying cruise night at the local A&W. Evan is Pa's little buddy - can't you see why.





We also got a good laugh when Pa had Evan help him wash the welding truck only to have the hose turned on him.
















We even had the joy of spending time with my brother and his family. It is so good to see them and is amazing that their kids change so quickly. We enjoyed Maddie's 7th birthday earlier in the week, and went back for supper on Friday. A great time was had by all.

SATU...

Well, here is my second LO after joining in the fun at Scrapping Across the Universe.



What a summer adventure this was. The caption reads: "Teresa, Shawna, Amberly and I decided one year to host our own version of Survivor. Complete with challenges, minimal food, and rainy weather, the weekend was packed with laughter and memories. The video of the weekend is under lock and key - don't ask why."

Each of us was required to come up with two different challenges. I wish I could remember them all off the top of my head. I do remember obstacle courses, races, puzzles and the weird food eating competition. Oh yes, and alka-seltzer Dr. Suess stories.... ahhh the memories.

I will admit that I am the only one that threw up during the weird food eating. But who could blame me with squid, dried mandrin orange peels, and koncho (or however you spell it). Then I had the fun of trying to make everyone else hurl once I was out of the running. Yes, mean - I know. =) We often talk of going again - but I don't think we could ever top that year.

Let's Try Again...

Okay, I'm back...

As I was saying, it has been way too long. I forget sometimes how therapeutic creating can be. I needed this.

I meant to create for Get Sketchy the first week that they started. As you can see, I didn't get around to it... So here is both challenge #1 & #2. I had fun.





Challenge #1 - I wasn't sure if I would like the result - but I do! I do!! I don't make square cards very often - I think the look will grow on me. The large staple on the ribbon says 'Thank you.' It's the first time I've used the Fastenater - yep, I like that too.






Challenge #2: I've always wanted to do a 'patchwork' kind of card - but never had the guts. Do I use 2 patterns, 3? 4? I don't know... So, I bit the bullet and went for it. I like it too. I'm learning to make cards without stamping - often more of a challenge than I thought. I used rub-ons here ~ of which I am becoming a huge fan.

Anyways, I had fun - and I plan on making time to create more often.

This week, I am off to Mom & Dad's to can peaches. I can't believe that it is that time of year again already. I am looking forward to the quality time and memories that are always enjoyed there.

Blog to you later,
Me

Monday, Monday

Well, it has been way too long since I have been able to sit down and create - Even now, I should probably be getting lunch on for Evan. In fact, it is later than I thought.... I'll be back...

SATU...

Well, here goes ~ I have completed my first project for Scrapping Across The Universe.

I never get tired of looking at my daughter, Megan. She amazes me. Her smile melts my heart, her blue eyes do the same, her giggle, her little scrunchie nose when she grins... Yeesh, I could go on and on...

It felt so good to sit down and create - it always does. I think I really need to make the time to create (instead of always saying I never have the time.) It is so much better than sitting in front of the TV for the evening - I even did a little stitching - yes I know - very little. But it's a start!





Ahhh it feels good. Off to bed.

Oh What a Weekend!!!

I love soft-ball! Mark and I were lucky enough to be invited to join in a tournament with my sister and brother in law's team. They needed an extra guy, and the kids and I went along for the ride. We ended up being 3 runs away from being in the finals ~shucks~ but it was a lot of fun anyways.

Saturday night was an adventure - Teresa & Todd (said sis & bro.I.L) joined us for a movie at mom and dad's - T&T live just over the fence from mom & dad's - mom and dad have more room to have us spend the night... Anyhoo, as we were watching the movie, a bat ~yes, the live, screeching, swooping kind~ came out of the woodwork - we think maybe from out of the chimney... Ahhhh the panic that ensued! Luckily, it wasn't a horror flick or I am sure I would have had nightmares! Needless to say, memories were made, and if I hadn't been cowering under a pillow on the couch, I may have been gutsy enough to snap a photo to scrap.

While the kids are napping, I am hoping to let my creative juices flow to see if I can make anything to post.... We'll see.... Hmmm where to start? Maybe by clearing the clutter off my desk???

Hello.....

Ahhh... the beginnings of a new project! Thanks to Bree for all her work setting me up here - I couldn't have done it without her.

Well, I guess to start, I should say a little about myself. My name is Nicki, I am a SAHM of two wonderful children - Evan and Megan. I am married to a wonderful man (God has blessed me so much) for almost 7 years. Mark, you are amazing. God has indeed blessed me in abundance - I know I would be lost without Him.

I have always loved being crafty. Since becoming a Mom, I have been dabbling with scrapbooking - hoping to preserve memories for years to come. Bree & Camille with Crop Suey have been such an inspiration for me to try new things and to think outside the box. I also love making cards and can't wait to get involved with Get Sketchy! It seems that time slips away with such a busy household - I am sure many of you can relate ~ so I am not sure how consistently I will be able to post. But I think this will be rather therapeutic for me, and look forward to this on-line 'journal.'

I have wanted to start a Blog for a long time, but haven't found the time - and had no idea where to start. My hope is to post some of my art work, as well as updates about my life in general (hence my title ~ thanks, Bree & Camille for your help brainstorming!) For those of you who stop by, welcome ~ I hope you enjoy...