Memorial Day Post

I just came across this Memorial Day Post. I don't know this lady but she struck a cord with me. I know I have some extra stuff and magazines coming out my ears that I can send on to share with those military ladies far and near. How about you?

More Pictures

These are some of the head shots I took this weekend. My dad's family is having an annual family reunion next month and my cousins are working on putting together a digital book of all the family members. She asked for a few recent pictures. This is my dad.
This is my lovely daughter Jillian. Isn't she just beautiful!
My youngest son, Michael Anthony. Most of the family calls him Anthony, most of his friends call him Mike.
Our little Amara Rose
Even though this picture is a little blurry, it is still one of my favorites.

Long Beach Peach

What is this you may ask? It is a Long Beach Peach and it is really good. Don't ask me what is in it 'cause I forget. I think it is pineapple and mango and peach schnaps and vodka I think. I am not a drinker and I haven't found much that I enjoy drinking, but this one is good and they only make it at Tequila Jacks. It is a mexican food place down on Shoreline Drive in Long Beach. Patrick and I took a drive town for lunch today just to get out of the house for a bit. It is a great place to sit on the patio and people watch.

We also saw this Zeppelin Airship flying over the Long Beach skies. It would have been really fun to catch a ride. Two reasons we didn't. #1 - it was sold out and #2 - It was $375 for a one hour ride. Would have been fun though.

Tower of Terror

Tower of Terror, that is the ride, May 16, 2009 is the date!
That's us in the back right corner, Patrick with his hands up, Arianna with her hands up - me hanging on to the seat. This is not my favorite ride, however Patrick and Arianna really like it. Yea, I know the picture is blurry, but it is just a snapshot of the picture viewer when you get off the ride.

Tuck and Roll's Drive'Em Buggies

So last weekend we went to Disney's California Adventure to meet up with Jillian and the kids. I rode Tuck and Roll's Drive'Em Buggies for the 1st time. Can you believe that? All these years Patrick and I have had pass for how many years now and this is the 1st time I have riden this. Oh my. It was Amara's first time too.

The cars were designed to look like pill bugs and cute they are. Fast they are not! While we were standing in line, I asked Arianna if that was as fast as they go and she said yea - not too fast huh grandma!! LOL I don't know but it looks like this "need for speed" guy was having fun!!

The Scrap Review

I have found a scrapbooking blog that has real reviews on all aspects of the scrapbooking world. It is called The Scrapbook Review. Check it out for yourself and see what you think. They have a big raffle coming up with prizes involved!

Look at these two cuties

This is my Anthony and his girlfriend. I was practicing taking pictures (man I suck) and Anthony and Michelle sat for me. Ok - this one looks good, but I am not going to show you the ones that don't look so good! Just goes to show, I need more subjects to sit for me!

Welcome Baby Aria!

Lookie who arrived on Wednesday evening. Little Miss Aria Isolde Dufrene weighing in at 6lb 11oz!! Baby Aria was born to my niece and her husband. Please keep them in your prayers as Tyler is currently serving his country in Iraq.

I look forward to seeing you in person baby Aria!! Hey tell your mommy to bring to Southern California and Grandpa Pat and I will take you to Disneyland!!

Happy Memorial Day

As you all know Monday is Memorial Day.... Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action. Thank you to all the men and women who served and to those that continue to serve to protect our freedom.

beautiful

This is my latest layout featuring my beautiful granddaughter and Webster's pages. Urban Anthology is having a special contest this month. Check out the forum here for the contest rules. I used the Magical Wishes line featuring the I believe, prince frog and make a wish papers. I also used some Prima pearl swirls, burlap and and vintage lace. I cut the title beautiful and the birds using my Cricut Expression and the new Home Decor cartridge. Oh and Webster's Pages is also sponsoring a contest this month. Check it out here. Nothing like entering two contests with one layout!!

Is this a model?

Nope, that is just my beautiful granddaughter, but maybe she should be a model. Even though I blew out the photo here, her beauty shines through.

Goofy Grandpa

We went to Red Lobster on Saturday to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom (I know - late, but I was sick last weekend). My dad was sitting across the table from baby Mandre and those two were being silly.

Two More Layouts

Here are two more layouts based on Shannon Tidwell's class at Reflections. This 1st layout is Rylee and me riding Dumbo in March 2008.This next layout is of Anthony's 19th birthday. Man, can you believe my baby is 19? The scanner cut off the pen work that goes around the entire page, but you get the idea.

Changes

This could very well be the last weekend that Dinosaur Jack's Sunglass Shack is standing tall in Disney's California Adventure. He is slated to leave the park. Jack has been watching over people's coming and goings and faithfully selling sun glasses since the park's opening. So long Jack, we will miss standing in your shady shadow on sunny days!

May Desktop Image

This is what my desktop screen on my NEW 22" computer monitor looks like. How fresh and springy is that! I had to purchase a new monitor as my previous one decided to die. Ugh - I hate it when things stop working. I try a little of the digital scrapbooking now and then. With the template supplied at the Shabby Princess, it is easy as pie to create these! The pictures are of my grandchilden at Easter.

JUMP!

Here is one of the layouts from Shannon Tidwell's Patterned Paper Party. It was one of my classes at Reflections a few weeks back. The class was sponsored by KI Memories. I added the flowers, little bits of bling and I used my not so new Cricut to cut the swirly journaling block for the word JUMP. The picture is of my lovely granddaughter taken on Easter day.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you mother's out there. My son sent me this delicious bouquet of chocolate covered strawberries. I would love to share them with you - so pick a virtual strawberry and enjoy it's juicy goodness.

I have been sick since Monday and out of work since Wednesday and I am not better yet, so I don't get to celebrate with the mothers in my life (but I am sure to get my fill of vitamin C eating these strawberries!). We will make arrangements to celebrate next weekend.

Urban Anthology's May Kit - Full Reveal!!

A few posts ago I had posted a sneak peek of the Urban Anthology "Enchanted Afternoon" May 2009 monthly kit, but now it is time for the full reveal! Can you believe that Kari SOLD OUT of the kits already, and even before the full reveal? Don't worry...I happen to know that Kari is currently putting together additional kits! So if you are interested, just go to the Urban Anthology store and sign up!!Check out this lovely trim. Often Kari (the owner) goes to the LA Garment District to find these unique bits of loveliness!Oh and the flowers - love the softness of them!

Gifts from Afar

As you know, I attended the premier scrapbooking event, Reflections this past weekend. I stayed at the hotel where the event was held on Thursday and Friday nights with friends Marsi and Lorretta as my roomates. Marsi is a world traveler for HP and had just returned from Russia and China where she picked up these bits of loveliness.

These lovley ladies are from Russia and the are called Russian Nesting or Matryoshka dolls. I love them.

Marsi also presented me with this little bottle. It was hand pained in China - from the INSIDE of the bottle. The bottle itself is stunning but to know that it was painted from the inside blows me away!!

Thank you Marsi for your thoughtfulness. I treasure these items.

Twiddleybitz Giveaway

Twiddleybitz is having a fantastic giveaway on their blog! Click here to check it out!