It's a Boy!

I'm not sure I really wanted to know.  I am one of the few remaining women on the planet that thinks one shouldn't ruin one of life's true remaining surprises, but it wasn't my choice to make.  So, at exactly twenty-one weeks, we took a peek at our little peanut...and we were all elated to find out that our new grandbaby is a boy!

Well, if you haven't realized by now, I'm a photo opportunist!  Couldn't let this one getaway.  Uh uh.

April and Beau were very patient, non-confrontational willing photo subjects!  I had prepared my home makeshift photo studio and purchased several props.

I ended up with 82 photos!  Yup.  Eighty-two!!  Ya see, I need lots and lots of crappy shots to get a few good ones.

After the shoot, most of the photos got some editing and some extra ooomph using Photoshop. (That program sure helps disguise an amateur photographer!)  These are the half-way decent photos:

 

 

This photo was the happy couple's favorite:

I was tickled pink blue with the photos!  Here's my favorite:

Good lord, that was so fun!  I'm making a list of the must-get "Anne Geddes" style photos for Gavin's arrival...

 

Oh, and I may or may not have bought a few things.

Happy LOVE Day!

Okay.  I admit it...I am a sucker for Valentine's Day!  Always have been...always will be.

As a kid, I loved the tradition of choosing a Valentine card for each of my classmates (boys included).  I loved decorating the shoebox to hold the tiny treasures.  I loved bringing home my box of childhood innocence and friendship.

My mom used to give us our own box of chocolate covered cherries each year.  Loved 'em (the kind with the liquid centers of course).  She also gave each of us a wrapped Valentine gift.  It was usually something red.  My mom.  Gosh, I still miss her so much.

Some of mom's traditions stay with me through today.  Because of the way I was raised, I still give Valentine's gifts. Everybody gets a little something...a small gift from mom, a card and the family tradition of a box of chocolate covered cherries (if I am lucky enough to find them).  This year, I found only one.  We'll have to split them up!

Since I started scrapbook and card design so many years ago, my Valentine's cards have become homemade. I no longer support the local Hallmark store.  (Well, that's not exactly true.  I do still love the Keepsake ornaments at Christmas.)

I thought I would share the cards I made this year.  I cannot take credit for the design (thank you Pinterest). However, I did design the word shape/cutouts using the Silhouette Design Studio, and my beloved Cameo cut each card.  I chose to weed out the centers of some of the letters so the handpicked Valentine paper would show throught the images a bit more.  The paper is cut 5" x 7" and is adhered to the entire inside left of the card.  I added a few Valentine stickers for a little pizzazz.  Super easy.

No, I did not do the math.  I used an online age calculator!

I delight in the fact that they are each unique and so personal to the recipient.  Can't wait to give them.


For April

For Eric

For Bill

May your Valentine’s Day be filled with
love, understanding, and contentment
as you journey through life with those you hold dear.

 

Been a Little Busy!

Boy...I have been absent here on the 'ole blog...just about 2 1/2 weeks since my last post! 

Life has been

busy

&

wonderful!

We've had our first wedding! Bill's oldest son, Billy, married Brittany on January 25.  The rehearsal dinner and  wedding/reception, coupled with out-of-town visitors kept us busy the entire weekend!  The wedding was very small, but beautiful.  So small, in fact, Bill was the officiant!  Seems that anyone can marry anyone in the State of Colorado (one of the very few states with very lenient laws these days!). Yes, it was a bit weird, but very touching.

Meet our new daughter-in-law, Brittany:

 

It was a beautiful wedding and the kids are still honeymooning!