The Story Matters Challege 2 Layout

Yes, I trained dolphins.
Very surreal now.
I miss it.
Can't help it.
The ocean is such a draw to me...
even this far away.
It is just better that I don't dwell on it.
This is only the second time I have done a layout related to this.
One other time when I went to visit with Megan.
That was more than 2 years ago.
Time flies.

The challenge is, if you could do anything for 30 days, what would it be...
Come and play at The Story Matters!! :)

Wonderful few days...

Wednesday we met Grandma Sue for a "picnic"... if you call lawn chairs, Pringles, Lunch-ables and a bag of Chips Ahoy a picnic. I do. :)
Gabriel was obsessed with the idea of having a picnic!! He wasn't going to let it go...
Good boy. With a good idea!

It was SO nice outside! We found a spot in the shade at Rocket Park, and even saw cousin Linda. Why didn't I get a picture of her?? Too busy "catching up"!Just having a conversation together... warms my heart, their love for each other. :)Grandma Sue enjoying the day-before the bugs started buggin' her!
(and trying to hide from my camera... no luck lady!!)Oh My Goodness!Thursday night we went my Dads! (Thanks Kim!)

We had a great time! It is always an event for my children to be with Grandpa Don and Grandma Dinah! They have so much anticipation for it!

Walks to the neighbors pond, the swings, the other neighbors miniature horses, shrimp, "Kraft Dinner" (though not this time!) "hunting" for frogs, hummingbirds (LOTS of hummingbirds!) and just spending time with them! FUN! And this time there was a bonus of stopping by the local bar and hunting (video game style). They got so excited, they were shooting at EVERYTHING... the ewes & cows (see picture), the hunting dog, the old man on the porch... it was pretty funny. Apalling, but funny. :)Grandma Dinah showing them the minnows... I got the stinkin' picture of the minnows, so I am gonna post it, darn it! :)
You should win a prize if you can see them! LOL!Gavin {attemping to} catch minnows. :)Their interested in minnow hunting... :) The neighbors damaged trees from the recent storm! WOW! These and many more uprooted or snapped in half!!
Grandma doin' "Dog under"...One way to save a slightly blurred picture(above AND below)... I think they were too cute to delete!
The current occupants of the birdhouse. I worked Friday night, so a "regular" day at home, but Saturday, we heading off to the Bix Fest. (Thanks Tracy!)
I'll admit, it is MUCH smaller than I remember. About 2-3 blocks of crafts and food... Huh? I remember SO much more in the past! Why has that deteriorated? We are not big jazz people, or big drinkers, so we go to look at the craft booths, and sample the food... but $5 for a corn dog. Really. Come ON!!! $5 for a lemonade?? REALLY! Oh, but it is only $3 for a refill. THAT'S a deal!
Yikes!
The kids had a great time though... they had "jumpers" (the Y had set up-that was only 6 tickets for $5 (only.... it's all about perception!)) and we made a visit to the sky bridge... which was nice. Le Claire park is still in repair. Sad.
The weather was not horribly hot and humid... shhhhh... don't tell anyone. DOn't spoil it!
I HATE humidity!

$5 corn dogs or not, it was a fun day! Now Jerry is off playing at "Hunters" and everyone but me is asleep... I might join them soon! :)

Yes, we went up there!!And saw THIS view!!And a preview of all these on the way down... Leave it to Gabriel-upside down!!Batter up!Face (and arm) painting. Don't ask. Rare picture of us!! Aren't we stinkin' cute? Playin' in the skybridge...Look who we ran into on the way out... yeah, right kids are hard to photographs... {sigh} :) Looks like I have a lot of scrap inspiration, huh?

Be Blessed!!

Forgot to post my "The Story Matters" layout!

I figured ya might have already seen it... but I need to post more LO's!
I have been holding back my lastest ones, since I think I might still submit to Memory Makers Masters... we'll see... if I send the submission by monday, I won't even have to overnight it!! :)

ANYWAY... the challenge was "Me, right now"... scrap a snapshot who you are this moment... right now... it is due by tonight... but still. :) Scrap under pressure. It works for me!!
:)

Lots of hand cutting. Used Tinkering Ink paper... and a bird stamps... and some chipboard letters that I had in my stash. It is about time I use my stash! Ans my hands down favorite thing right now, Making Memories Tiny Alphas!! LOVE them! Cuz you can do a sentence, and still have a bunch left! Upper and lower case!! Go get them at Scrapaganza!!

CHA-Summer 2008

I didn't even get a chance to post that I went, and I am back!!

BOY did I have fun! For a bit more detail, you can read "Penny's CHA report" at Scrapaganza HERE

But here is the slide show!
Enjoy!
I had SUCH a fun time!

Nice to meet Ann at The Paper Element! I am SO bummed I did not get a chance to get back to the booth and get more pictures! WOW did the time FLY! I am still recovering!

I had a great time with Candi and Ashleigh from Scrapaganza!

It was great to see other Ranger attendees too! And Kim and Lynn at Rusty Pickle!
Lance will be here on Wednesday for some GREAT classes! Fun!

And seriously Kitty, ONE of these times we meet, I will get a picture with you! :)

After I got back, we went to the DeWitt pool! More pictures coming soon!

The Story Matters Launches!!!

I did it! I get myself a design team, I thought up what I wanted most in a challenge blog, and I started!! {whew}!

I love challenges, and I truly think that the story is lost too many times. Don't get me wrong. I love a good LO with a beautiful picture of my kids, and that is all it seems to need... but I have seen too many lonely pictures at my favorite antique and vintage stores with no story attached. Not even identifying who it was in the picture. It's sad to me. I don't want that for my pictures. Our stories. I want my family to look back, and hand on our story.

And I wanted that for you too...And I want you to scrap about yourself...

Not JUST the people and things you love...

And I want you to tell the story you might not have otherwise...

And I want through this site to see that you are not alone in your struggle, joy, humor, trial, interests...

And I want you to win prizes too!! So I am talking to everyone that I can about sponsoring and offering prizes! YAY!

So come tell your story!! Cuz it matters!

www.thestorymatters.blogspot.com Subscribe today!!

Gavin hits the WINNING run!!!

And the cubs move on in the tournament!!

As much as I will miss teaching NYOBC (scrapbooking club) at Scrapaganza, I am SO excited about Gavin playing tonight in the game!!

Don't want to jinx him or anything (:) ) but he has not struck out for a few games!

We didn't even realize he was the last batter in the inning! Bases were loaded, his best friend is on thrird base... he hits it down the 3rd base line, Sam (his friend) just gets past the player on third to make it home! Cubbies win 4/3!!!!!!!!!

YAY Gavin! Here are some pictures from the game!

Wish us luck tonight!
And thank Kim, for teaching our fabulous customers!! :)

Gettin' ready...
He hits...
His siblings snack... (yes, those are my children with soda {sigh})
He's thrilled that he won!!! :)

Things that just make you laugh!

I had to share this! I know... I don't know this kid or anything, but he made me laugh!
That's worth somethin'!

(It's called "The Evil Eye". Too funny!
Thanks Pioneer Women!

Little cute things!

OK, so we got our bracelets! YAY!!!!!!!
I have yet to put make-up on this week-so no picture of me... BUT here is Miss Cutie and HER bracelet!

Too cute huh??

Thanks Terri!!

And guess what??? If you contact her about some of her jewelry-mention my name and you can have 10% off!!!

GO for it girls!!!

THIS is some fun stuff!!

Can't WAIT to wear mine at the store and at CHA!!

Fantastic 4th Weekend!

In a blink, it's over!
Another great weekend!
Friday: BBQ, swimming, playing, fireworks, smores and friends...(Man I need to scrap this one (above) like NOW! I love this picture!)

Lucky us, we can watch fireworks from our front lawn! We went on Thursday night to see the fireworks in Davenport... that was the no card night-ugh. :)
My kids past their bedtime-SCARY! :)
LOTS of sugar way past their bed time! SCARIER!
Add fire... OK, let's not dwell... Anne was here too, but somehow she escaped my lens!!

Saturday, I worked 9+ hours, and we went home and hung out-Jerry played at the Racer's Edge.. (he played Friday night with Megan's husband, so we were band widows together!)
I took this picture (while driving) of Gabriel playing with an action figure... so was Gavin. I just love to watch their imaginations at work! And obviously Cora is always ready with her smile! :)

And of course more swimming-Gavin let me bug him while swimming, so I could play with my camera and get a couple pictures!
Those EYES!!
Sunday-church, IHOP, and grandma came by later, the boys hit some balls in the yard and jumped on the trampoline with Daddy, and we took a little trip into town for ice cream!Just laid back family time!

And a picture I just liked, from the ride home from ice cream... :)