Weekend photos

We've had a fun-filled soccer weekend (with a final game tomorrow morning at 8:30am) - but I just wanted to post a few photos of Emma and her teammates - because the camaraderie is so obvious.  Four of us came from last year's team, to an established team, and the girls welcomed our four like they were long lost friends.  It is so fun to watch them at this age: they are so chatty, they love to sing, and they giggle incessantly - super fun.  Last night after our game, a few of the parents and their girls came over to our house for pizza.  This is what it looked like in the backyard:

And this is what it looked like before this evening's game:

And this is Cooper and Vinnie:

Coopie loves to stand and box with the bigger dogs... he was giving Vinnie a love-tap on the nose :)

Wonderful Weekend

I had been looking forward to this weekend for about a month... for several reasons:  1) Emma would be coming home from her week-long trip to visit family; 2)  Said family would be coming back with her and staying the weekend; and 3) I'd have lunch with two dear junior/senior high friends:

Meet Kathy and Suzanne.  We went to school together from 7th-12th grade, had LOTS of good times.  I went out on my 16th birthday with Kathy in my new car.  Suzanne and I dated two boys who were best friends in 9th grade and we had lots of fun together.  Suzanne has lived in Switzerland since 1988 and has two handsome sons, and her Dad just happens to live over on the Olympic Peninsula (west of Seattle).  Kathy has worked for a prominent retailer for almost 20 years and just happened to transfer up here a few years back.  Funny how everything can come together and put friends in the same place, at the same time.  Thanks Facebook :)

Prior to that I had D & D staying the weekend - and first on the agenda was to get D1's hair cut.  I've been trying to get it cut in the vision I've had for her for about 15 years - and she finally let me take charge.  Before and after:

Isn't she super cute hottie pants??  Well, she already was... but I *love* the new hair :)

And this was later that day - loading up my VW at Ikea, just like the commercial with all that stuff strapped on the top - and then the beautiful evening in Kirkland.  Prior to all that Emma came home and it sure was great to have her back where she belongs.  I missed that girl of mine :)

Pool Party

We had a soccer bonding session (aka pool party) last weekend at Jim & Carrie's house - which is such a lovely spot to hang out, very warm and inviting, and the pool and backyard are just perfect for a party - thanks friends!  All but two girls were able to join us and Emma and I stayed for about 8 hours! :)  Lots of fun with Coach in the pool, and I shocked him by cannonballing him in my clothes when he wasn't looking - ha!

Coopie has a girlfriend!

And her name is *Pixie* !!!  Aren't they just soooo cute?

And just because I want to try uploading a video:

Celebrate Your Freedom!

I never used to truly pay attention to what this day means, except that it was two days before my birthday (and I would be counting down the hours to my party) and there were lots of fancy fireworks!  Let's be honest... I still think about my birthday coming up when it gets to the 4th, but as I've grown older, I really stop to think about the freedoms we enjoy by living in the USA - and most importantly, those who have given their lives so that I can live my freedom every single day.  Celebrate your freedom today!

Here's the biggest sparkler in my life (decked out in Party City's finest accoutrement)!

*Love* these new photos...

I was a winner on Becky Higgins' blog during the month of May's Big Photography Giveaway - and on Saturday Emma and I headed to a funky part of Seattle for our shoot.  We had such a fun time, just walking around Fremont and finding funky walls or cafes with chairs outside - we'd stop and take a few pics and then move on.   The very talented and generous photographer that captured these images is: Jolie Rodriguez. She is based on the East side of the Seattle/Puget Sound area, and if you would like some new family photos, I'd love to refer you to her... :)

Cousins

Quick post of a really cute picture that Raelyn posted on Facebook - these are Emma's cousins:  Haley, Cali & Raelyn - to say that Emma had a blast in Eagle River would be a *huuuuge* understatement :)

Blessed with Friendship

I've been moving to my new house since last Friday evening.  The weekend was a blur.  As always, Carl was the main packhorse and got the majority of the stuff done.  But I have to thank special friends who have helped so much.  Raph, for helping put together a ton of Ikea crap and moving big stuff; Dave & Kristy, who showed up without request to help lighten the load; Brian, for blessing me with his patience and meticulous eye for painting; and my dear friend Tracy - for so much.  She found this house for me, helped me through the 3.5 month buying process, put out many fires, and has been my steady-Eddie as pseudo-family.  Today, I got home from work, and walked in to this:

She purchased this set for me and had Brian put it together and set it up while I was at work today.  I left my dining set at home, and hadn't purchased one for Emma and me.  Thank you Tracy, and Brian, for your friendship.  I love you guys.

Lovin' the 3-day weekend!

I mean, how could you possibly NOT enjoy a 3 day weekend?? It's still very rainy and gloomy here in the Pacific NW, in fact, Friday evening by 6:30pm I was in my fleecy jammies and under the covers watching TV. Saturday started out with a massage (now I have a matching bruise on the other hip, last time it was the right hip), and then we spent the day at the Robillard's for a huge celebration: Jim's 50th birthday, Katie celebrating her commission into the Army and college graduation, and Katie's high school graduation! Wow! It was a lot of fun, and there was a yummilicious Mexcican buffet :)

Today started off with bacon sandwiches and coffee for breakfast a la Carl, then a nice walk with my girl and our dog. I even ran a few steps - don't fall over with laughter! Emma says she's going to get me in shape ;) We treated ourselves this weekend with Super Mario Galaxy 2 and just completed an hour of play - it's a really fun game we play as a family - Carl controls Mario, Emma is his sidekick, and I'm the director (yelling instructions!) :)

Tomorrow Emma and I are going to see Alice in Wonderland with Kennedy before it leaves the theater. I love me some Johnny Depp, so this movie is a must-see. Oh, and speaking of must see, SATC will be next weekend if we're not moving!!! Here's a recent picture just for fun - E & K being goofy at lunch :)

Fun weekend!

Boy, busy weekend here - but fun!  We had a neighbor friend, Jordyn, staying with us while her parents enjoyed a weekend away - and she and Emma had a great girls' weekend.  Jordyn straightened Emma's hair for her (much better than my work!) and that started a fun Friday evening "makeover" for them.

Saturday afternoon I took them up to the Family Fun Center for some go-kart riding and video games, then a fun dinner at Red Robin.  Coincidentally, they both recently purchased the same cute shirt at Aeropostale,  so of course they had to each wear it :)  Today we all went to see Shrek 4 and Kennedy joined us as well... fun weekend :)

More photos from the program...

Sorry, I had to create two different posts in order to incorporate the video.  Here's some cool shots of the stage, and the one with Emma in the bottom left corner with the yellow bandana and guitar (dancing around like a hillbilly) at "Splash Kingdom".

Spring Program

Tonight we spent the evening at Emma's school for her Spring Program. No great photos with my phone, but ... here's her solo... our proudest moment... doing the worm across the stage - HA!

BFF Time

BFF time is the best time... today I got to spend my much-needed day off with Kristy.  I picked her up at 10:00 am and told her not to eat breakfast, because I was taking m'lady out for a fun bite.  The next time we looked at our watches it was 4:15 and we had to head home.  When we are together the time literally flies by - we have been known to start at 10:00 am for a visit and come home after midnight.  Isn't that what BFF's are all about?  She knows me better than anyone ~ knows when I need to talk and lets me ~ tells me when I need to take a second look at things ~ understands what I'm saying without an explanation ~ loves Madonna as much as I do ~ loves to dance with me and shake her booty like nobody's business ~ loves my daughter like her own ~ shops for bras with me ~ tells me to stop bossing her around when I need it ~ but loves me unconditionally through it all.  She is my Best Friend Forever.

Tropical Spirit Day

I know, I know... another spirit day picture.  But she just cracks me up that she gets so into these!  And my scrappy friends will truly appreciate this one :)

So Emma had a red t-shirt from Grammie's trip to Hawaii that had some stitching on it - and we added a lei made of Prima flowers, a shell necklace, and check out the flower in her hair:  a layering of Heidi Swapp and Prima flowers (sprayed with some Perfect Pearls) and then a giant rhinestone in the middle - all glue dotted together and then onto a bobby pin!  That was our creativity for the night to get her in the tropical mood.  FUN!

Pink Paislee Inspiration Station Tour

Choooo Choooo - thanks for stopping by!  Pink Paislee is hosting an Inspiration Tour in honor of Mother's Day and National Scrapbooking Day and this is an official stop!  Make sure to leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win the wonderful prize package pictured above - a $25 value of the fabulous BAYBERRY COTTAGE line!  Entries accepted until 6pm PST Sunday, May 2nd.  Winners will be announced on Pink Paislee's blog on Tuesday, May 4th.

I chose to use the Bayberry Cottage line to make this gift bag - to hold something special for your Mom, a special girl friend, or make one with other Pink Paislee lines for any time of year!

This shopping bag was my inspiration.  I love all of the gorgeous gift bags you can buy, but they can be very pricey!  I *adore* the Bayberry Cottage line and with just 4 sheets of patterned paper, a few Bella Brads, a snippet of Ribbon Pleat and Artisan Tape, and a Cork Button - this is a very economical and beautiful alternative :)  *** just a note for previous commenters... you are NOT recovering the existing bag, just recreating it with scrapbook paper ***  I deconstructed the bag in order to make a template of each side.

1.  Cut the following dimensions from two sheets of Gazebo patterned paper:

     10"W x 12"L -  mark paper from both bottom corners at 3" both horizontally and vertically,
     cut diagonal line from each corner between marked points.

     Score along width of paper 1" from top.  Fold.
     Score along width of paper 3" from bottom.  Fold.

2.  Cut the following dimensions twice from one sheet of Picket Fence patterned paper:

     5"W x 12"L

     Score a line 1/2" lengthwise, from outside edge on each side.  Fold.
     Fold paper in half lengthwise, with Picket Fence pattern face to face (green on outsides) to form
     inverted pleat.

3.  Use Scor-Tape or other strong adhesive to assemble bag.

4.  Cut 10"W from corner of Porch Swing patterned paper - attach to front of bag.

5.  Attach handles of choice - I deconstructed my old shopping bag and used the existing handles
     (the grey color was perfect!) - cut a slit from top fold and slip handles through, adhering
     each side with Scor-Tape to bag.

6.  Form flower from black Ribbon Pleat, attach Bella Brad to Cork Button and adhere to flower.
     Adhere ribbon/cork embellishment to center point of Porch Swing paper.  Add rhinestones/pearls
     as desired.

7.  Attach strip of Licorice Artisan Tape to top front of bag to cover cut edges.

8.  Create layered ribbon decoration for handles using Ribbon Pleat and Artisan Tape, secured with
     Bella Brad.

Voila!  Now chug along to the remaining stops and enjoy the amazing talent of the following Pink Paislee Creative Team members! (and leave a comment on each blog for an additional chance to win!)

Danielle: http://www.danielleflanders.blogspot.com/
Ania: http://www.aniia.blogspot.com/
Stacey: http://www.staceymichaud.blogspot.com/
Leena: http://www.findingnana.com/
Jana: http://www.frommyfeatherednest.blogspot.com/
Amanda: http://www.amandamuirhead.blogspot.com/
Kristen: http://www.scrapinkris.blogspot.com/
Tina: http://www.tinaalbertson.blogspot.com/
Jen M.: http://www.jenniferann75.blogspot.com/
Erin: http://www.erinterrellclarkson.typepad.com/blog
Kayla Aimee: http://kaylaaimee.typepad.com/

And don't forget to go to Pink Paislee's blog for an additional stop as well!
Pink Paislee Blog

Gorgeous day here!

Interesting weekend, weather-wise - and pretty downright relaxing I'd say.  Emma went to a school friend's house for a sleepover on Friday night, and was gone before I got home from work.  I packed up my stamping supplies and headed over to Tracy's for the evening, and churned out a batch of birthday cards for boys.  FUN!  Saturday started out with an 8:00 am massage (deep tissue... ouch!) and then I came back home and went back to bed.... until 11:37!  Then I stayed up til about 12:17, and went back to bed... until 2:00!!  Then went for a haircut - what a day - that's what I'm TALKIN' 'BOUT!  Emma came home mid-afternoon, repacked, and went to a friend's house for a birthday sleepover.  Back to Tracy's, held a 3 week old baby for the evening, and life was good.  Today I met my friend David for lunch at Zoopa (seriously... it's like his favorite place - I can't get him to go anywhere else!) and then hit Kristy's on the way home.  Good girl talk with the bestie, a little shoe and scrap shopping, and we called it good.

Friday night thru Saturday night - blustery wintery rainy weather.
Sunday - beautiful clear skies, and a little warm for us Seattleites!
Here I am on the way home today, and the beautiful view on my
freeway offramp home:

Spirit day

Is there anyone who has more spirit than my daughter?  I think NOT!  It was "color" spirit day... and of course, Emma used every bit of color she could think of: each fingernail was painted a different hue, at least 3 colors sprayed in her hair, colored hair extensions/clips, you get the picture.... She is darn cute though :)