I have always wanted to do a kit like this!  Not only is this kit great for a tropical holiday but also for summer and beach photos.  (and I have plenty of those!)  I was so excited to get to work with Shauna again.  And she knew exactly what to add to the kit since she has lived in Hawaii.

Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii’s way to say “Merry Christmas to you.

Today my oldest turns 6.  Where has the time gone?  I planned on having a blog post today about Garrett but decided to wait until after his party so I could have birthday pictures.

Happy Birthday Garrett!

Little Red Caboose by Shawna Clingerman, Melissa Bennett and Kristin Cronin-Barrow.

I had a nice and realxing week planned.  I was going to work in the mornings, clean in the afternoons and get ready for Garrett’s birthday.  HA!  Now I am scrambling to finish 2 kits and have a HUGE project I need to get started on.  But wait- there is more!  And now none of the above have been finished.  The house is a mess and I will be up late tonight working.

But I am breathing a sigh of relief.  I hve spent the past two days taking Lance to doctors.  He started limping Monday afternonn and was crying out in pain.  As rough and tough he is there was no telling how he hurt himself.  He had a (intentional) bike wreck Sunday and was playing tackle football with Garrett Monday.  Lance is constantly getting hurt but he never cries.  Monday he was crying.  So we went to see Dr. C yesterday.  There is no swelling, no bruising and Lance was still limping.  He was baffled.  We were told to go a pediatiric orthopedic clinic.  So we did that this morning.  Lance was a trooper!  He never fussed when they were moving his leg for the xrays or when the Dr. was messing with him.  His bones are fine.  It turns out that the problem is Transient Synovitis. Apparently the nasty virus we all had decided to stick around in Lance.  He should be fine in a few days.

But then while he was laying down on the exam table I noticed something.  He ear was nasty!  There was dried blood and crusties hanging around.  This is the ear that still has a tube in it.  So I bet that the tube is either trying to come out or is infected.  So we will go to his ENT on Friday.  Wanna guess how much we will spend on copays this month?  Between G’s ear infection and meds and Lance’s hip and ear problems it will be a nice chunk of change.  I am very thankful that their problems are minor and easily fixed.

So that is all I have.  I will try to get a photo post on here soon about my soon to be 6 year old.  But for now this will have to do:

Well, I didn’t go!  I forgot I took these photos and was cleaning off my computer and found them.  They are from November 1st- the first time the boys went hunting this year.  Hunting for the boys means sitting in the deer stand looking for armadillos, squirrels and eating all the snacks I packed.  I know they had fun that day since Billy had to carry them in when they got home.  But they always have fun with Daddy.  He stops at a gas station halfway there and lets them pick out doughnuts and chocolate milk.  He knows how to win them over.

That is the serious hunting look.  Or the will you stop taking pictures so we can leave look.  (edited to add:  they did see deer.  The boys didn’t scare them away.)

New to Scrap Orchard today!  Thanks and Giving:

Perfect for year round photos- not just Thanksgiving!

As always, Fresh Fruit is 20% off!

Ok- keeping this short because I have a cleaning date with the boys.  They actually want to help me so that Daddy will set up the Shake and Go track.

I hate writing a post and not having photos to go along with it.  Sadly, I have not taken my camera out since Halloween.  Instead of pretty pictures I have a cute Lance tidbit.

Lance and I were waiting outside the school to pick up Garrett today.  I asked him what he wanted for Christmas.  Santa needs some ideas.  He told “I want a hundred dollas so I can get a hundred chocolate milks at Sonic.”  That boy loves his chocolate milk!

When we got home we started working on their actual list.  It involves a lot of toys with a lot of little pieces.  Legos, K’Nex, Magnext, Hot Wheels, GeoTrax and Transformers.  Big boy toys.  No more Little People or cute little toddler toys.

Yesterday I took G to the doctor for an ear infection.  He has been sick for a month and nothing is helping with the runny nose.  I think we will change allergy meds for him.  While we were there Dr. C recommended that we all get a flu shot.  We are around little nieces and nephews frequently and G like to bring home all the germs he can from school.  Of course they screamed.  Lance was so sad.  But as soon as they put on a band-aid he was fine.  Garrett has a phobia of band-aids and was freaking out.  I had to hold him down and tell him that he would not get a band-aid.  He still screamed for the shot but was fine after.  I promised them a new movie afterwards so we went to Target to get G’s meds and a movie.

They almost got Kung Fu Panda (is it good?  I haven’t seen it) but saw the Wii games.  Lego Star Wars was the same price as the movie so they choose that instead.  It is so fun!  And it is hilarious to watch them play.  When we got the Wii I thought they would want to constantly play it but they rarely ask to.  That might also have something to do with the Wii rule.  No Wii if the playroom and bedroom are messy.  Having the Wii has come in handy since it gets dark early and for rainy days.  Their wish list also includes Wii games and accessories.  Would you be surprised if I told you Lance wants a fishing game?  Garrett hasn’t decided which one he wants.  He has it narrowed down to 17 games.  It might take him a while to pick one.

Ok- I need to go help Lance find his “lucky cap.”  Have a good evening!

October was a blur.  But luckily I do have pictures to help me remember!

The first weekend was our anniversary.

The second weekend was the Aggie game.

The third week both boys got their Awanas vest.

Then Lance had his first field trip.

That weekend was the 1st annual Halloween party at my parents.

Garrett was star student of his class for the first 6 weeks.

And then there was Halloween.

And that leads us into November.  Another busy month!  This month someone turns 6, we celebrate Thanksgiving and get ready for Christmas.  Garrett and Lance have circled all the toys they want in the ToysRus Big Book.  The entire Hot Wheels page is covered in highlighter.  I am almost ready to get the tree out and decorate the house.  Almost.

The boys are off from school tomorrow and we are going to vote together.  And clean the playroom, but they don’t get a vote on that!

And with a blog makeover (isn’t it cute!) and HUGE announcement!

I have moved to Scrap Orchard! You can now find my designs HERE.

I also have 2 new kits!

Dirt Magnet was inspired by these photos:

I have come to terms with the fact that I have a very dirty little boy.  He constantly has dirt under his fingernails and a grubby face.  So this kit is for my Dirt Magnet.

My creative team knocked it out of the park with this one!

And this one is for my two guys that have to shout “Blast off!” or “To Infinity!” every time they jump.  And they are usually jumping off of something

To Infinity!

A few stellar layouts:

And to thank you for your patience while my blog was down I have a free add-on to Dirt Magnet:

You can download it here:  DIRT MAGNET ADD ON

If you would like to see more team layouts and more products you can check out my new gallery.

One more thing- be sure to sign up for my newsletter to receive product notices, freebies, coupons and more!

AHD Newsletter

Lastly, I want to thank Becca of Graffiti Chicks for all her hard work.  Thanks Becca!

I promise to be back soon with pictures from Halloween.  It is more than meets the eye. 

Please join my design newsletter to receive new product notices, freebies, coupons and whatever else I pull out of my hat!

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Look for them on November 1st!

And to get ready for those changes I have my store on sale.  Some items will never be sold again!