Flower clippies

After I had finished all the headbands for the girls on Easter, I went ahead and made up the rest of the flowers that I had made, into clippies.  After the egg hunt, I just laid them out and let anyone that wanted them dig in.  I didn't really think anyone would want them, but they went fast and then I felt bad that I didn't have one for all of them.  I guess some of them will have to share with sisters!

4th day of retreat layouts

This is another layout from the 4th of July weekend.  There is a mining district above Mackay, and they have made trails all over it for people to visit.  There are trails that you can drive a car or pickup on, trails for 4 wheel drives, and trails only wide enough for a 4-wheeler.  We rode them all and loved it.
I was leading at one time, and just kept going up and up and up...finally, I pulled off on a little ledge to wait for Jeff because I could see other tracks and was afraid to go to the top in case someone came down.  When Jeff finally came up, he couldn't believe that I had just kept going.  The trail was very rocky and steep, and he had stopped way back thinking I'd stop and be afraid to keep going.  So coming down, I put it in 4 wheel drive and tried to go pretty slow.  Luckily we never did meet anyone coming up.  Where was my head?
We also took a couple of the 4-wheeler roads only, and that was a little wild since the snow had barely melted off, and they hadn't done anything with the trails.  But it was a super fun day, and we went back (at least Jeff did several times) with Jeff's family...they all wanted to see the same places we had gone.

Day 3 of layouts from the retreat

 Chris decided to run Cross Country, and no one was more surprised than me.  I had no idea that he even liked to run.  But Robin said once he started, he loved it.  I never did get to go to one of his meets, but I was sure proud of him and the effort he put into it.  I love the fact that Robin gives me CD's with photos on them every year for Christmas.

Day 2 of layouts from the retreat

On the last day we were at Arco, we rode in Copper Basin.  Since we couldn't go over the top from Antelope Creek, we drove all the way around and unloaded on the road that actually goes over the top into Sun Valley.  I was amazed at how many people were there that day.  First off, we rode into the Wild Horse campground and that's where we walked up to the waterfalls.  The ranger told us it was about 1/3 of a mile...Jeff and I decided it was more like 1-1/3 miles.  It was quite a hike.  But the falls were awesome.  They had even paved it most of the way, so that someone in a wheelchair could even make it.  There was a platform with benches so you could sit down and enjoy the view and rest before you started hiking back.
Then we rode around and went up the Copper Basin side, clear to the top of Antelope Pass...we could make it from that side.  We could see the snow drift that was across the road on the other side, and we figured we could have made it, but I'm glad we didn't push it.  Especially after what happened to the couple from Blackfoot.
It was a another great day, and we hated to even head home, but all good things come to an end.  But...we have our photos and our memories.

Layouts from the retreat

This was one of the layouts I prepared to take to the retreat to work on.  I had the photos trimed and had a sketch, but I didn't take any embellisments or do any journaling until I got home.  It's surprising how fast you can put a layout together when you have it planned and ready to go.  Then, when I got some time, it didn't take long to finish it up.  I think Jeff was thrilled that I scrapped something besides Grandkids...something we did together, and loved. 
I'll be posting more of the layouts that I started at the retreat and that I'm finishing up now.  I've already finished 5-6 of them.  You'll see that I almost always use quite a few photos on my pages.  Mainly because I always take so many, and I always love so many...it's hard to leave them out.  So, I always look for inspiration that includes quite a few photos.

Easter Weekend

 For Easter, I wanted to make each of the girls a headband.  I didn't think I would get them done, but by setting a goal of three a day, I accomplished it.  Then I spent early Saturday morning trying to make the flowers to go on them, and sewing buttons on all of them.  It was right down to the wire...but I made it.  I got dart guns for the two boys.  You blew the foam "arrows" out of them.  Treven could blow four out at once.  What a trick. 
These were the smallest headbands I made, so they had to go to Ellie and Kylie.  I believe Ellie took the pink flowered one and Kylie got the purple flower.

I don't remember exactly who took what, but I know Mikayla ended up with one of these yellow ones, because the black (it was really navy blue) and orange one I made her was too small.  I've got to get her another BLACK one made.

The above ones were really a true orange flower.  I made them for Mikayla and Chelsey.  Of course, Chelsey commented that it took me so long to make them, that she wouldn't be able to wear them until next winter.  Today we had snow, so she might end up wearing it yet.
Easter was great.  We played relay games to begin with.  Then ate.  Dave cooked tri-tips since it was his and Steph's anniversary.  He bought her an electronic frame and scanned tons of photos and put on it for her gift.  It was so much fun watching all of them.  Steph really loved how thoughtful it was.  The kids and fun finding all the eggs and getting all the treats.  After dinner, we had anniversary cake...
What a great time for all. 
I was impressed with how well all the kids got along, and how well they treat each other.  I believe all their parents have taught them well.

Football pics

Since this is the last week Darin is coming down, I finally got the photos from last fall's football game burned to a cd for him.  These are photos of Connor's game, but we also went to his cousin's game.  I burned all the photos for him.  I think Connor is just the cutest thing.  He is in the 6th grade, 5'6" tall already and weighs about 150 pounds.  Last Saturday was weigh in for his last year of Optimist football.  He has had to play with the boys a year older than himself because of his size, and they have all moved on to Junior high ball, but Connor really wanted to play with the boys his age this fall.  They had weigh in on Saturday, and he worked out all week and only drank water, only ate protein...he came in at 146...so ...if he can keep from growing this summer, he might make it.  But...you don't always have a choice about growing.  The growth charts show that he'll end up being around 6'3" tall when he's done growing.  He's a good size boy.  And just the cutest personality ever.  Good luck Connor!

Old truck cards

Well, this is the last of the men's cards that I finished from fronts I made at Robin's.  I'm sure you are all relieved.  But, I am actually pretty pleased with them, and now I'm set for a few month's.
Today I am going to Twin for a meeting, and then tonight we're having mom and Jeff's parents over for a Bar-B-Q.  Darin is coming back down today, and I thought maybe they would all like to see him.  This is the last week he'll be coming since our new guy will start on Monday.

Moose cards

Here's a few more of the cards I made when I went to Robin's crop last month.  I finally got verses stamped in all of them and got them put away.  My box of men's cards looks half way full now.

I know they all look alot alike, but since I send them to different men all the time, I really don't care.  I don't try to reinvent the wheel on every card.  Just use up my scraps that I have and make a decent looking card.
Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Cards, cards, cards

These are more of the card fronts I made out of brown scraps.  Lot's more men's cards for work...and for family.  Seems like I can never get enough of the men's cards.  And no one seems to make them for the exchange cards...so I end up making them myself.
Today is Jeff and I's 12th wedding anniversary.  We had planned to take a drive up to Drigg's and back home today, but it is raining and the wind is blowing and it doesn't look like it would be much fun.  We're just waiting to see if it is going to clear up a bit or not.  Maybe we'll just hang out at home instead. 

Mini album

 While we were at the retreat, Robin and Christy were making a mini-album that I thought was just darling.  I loved all the pockets and places you could put photos.  That's always a big thing with me because I always have so many pictures.  So, Saturday morning after I had mixed up my cinnamon rolls and was waiting for them to raise, I started one.  Thank heavens for Robin.  She got up early also, and started showing me how to do it, and actually made all the pages for me.  I got busy cooking, and when I came back...bless her heart...she had pretty much done it all.  Love that girl!

 I did do the cover...wow!  I know.  I picked out the paper...wow!

Don't you just love all these pockets and tags?  I'm going to put the photos from the photo shoot at the retreat and some misc. ones also.  That way, all those photos are together in one place.

 More pockets...

I loved the punched edge too.  Made it look like you had torn it out of a book or something.  Robin had her Bind-It and we finished it off with that.  The photos don't really do it justice.  I can't wait to make another one.
Thanks Robin and Christy for all the help.  I love it!