I keep getting tagged...

...so I better get these 7 facts listed.

7 facts about me:

1. I quit smoking, cold turkey, in 2000 so I could try getting pregnant.
2. I pierced a 3rd hole in my left ear by myself with an ice cube, needle, and potato when I was 15.
3. I have a bad obsession with McDonald's.
4. I drink a latte every morning. If I don't then something is usually wrong with me.
5. I have never had a pedicure.
6. I love getting my eyebrows waxed.
7. Scrapping is the first hobby I've ever stuck with....all other hobbies cost lots of money and lasted less than 6 months!


Okay, I'm supposed to now tag 7 people to do the same thing...but I'm sure everyone has already been tagged by now...if you haven't and you're reading this...then TAG, YOU'RE IT!!!

Proof that they can be sweet!

See, it's here...caught on camera forever!!! (plus a few extra just because I like how they turned out...even if Hailee is blurred!)

Voting starts FRIDAY!!

One more day until the voting begins! The Showdown at the playground is under way, and I must say that these ladies are sure making it a tough competition already! Go to the gallery at www.scrapbookplayground.com and check out the contest #1 entries! Friday night there will be a poll set up in the Showdown forum on the message board. Cast your vote for your favorite layout! You have until Sunday, 5pm pacific time, to get your vote in!

Dedicated to DADS!

Happy Father's day to my dad's and my husband.
I love you all,
Corey




*Darren*

*Rod*

*Steve*

*Joe*

UGH!!!

Here's how this week has gone:

Monday - Braden to the doctor - ears checked out and swim lessons are a go.
Tuesday - Braden CRANKY all day...ugh!
Wednesday - Braden wakes with a 102 fever, only for it to go up to 103.5!!! He's not sleeping, not happy AT ALL (which IS so not him, even when sick), and all he wants is me in the rocker.

I really hope it's not his ears. Swim lessons start in less than 2 weeks and I'm really hoping he gets to go. But, he had his infection for 5 weeks so I suppose I should have known it wouldn't just go away.

Anyway, let's hope it's a fluke thing and that my little boy will be good as new soon!

Hurry!

time is running out! Get those layouts uploaded in the gallery at www.scrapbookplayground.com to get yourself entered in the SHOWDOWN!! The "Queen" will walk away with TONS of product so you can't pass this up!

He's getting faster!

Braden is walking all over the place these days! I really need to get better pictures than the ones here, but you get the idea! He gets SO excited when he's walking, it's a great site! And everytime he takes a step you can hear Hailee yell "MOM - HE'S WALKING!!!!". Yes, dear, I know! lol and as you can see, these were taken BEFORE his haircut! I'll aim for a photo shoot tomorrow!

Unpubbed

I love the unpubbed blog. Today I finally did a challenge! Thanks Kimmie for leading me back there!!!!

Chop, chop!

We did it. We took Braden for his first haircut yesterday. He really needed one. See this picture? Look at all that hair! (yes, those are Hailee's sunglasses with bling...we'll get him his own now!)

So off we go. We just did it at Walmart since we needed other things, lol. But hey, if you can do it all in one stop then why not?

And here is my handsome little boy today. Not so much a baby anymore :(

Let's play the catch up game again!

Okay, last week Hailee had "Super Kids Day" on Tuesday! She had SO much fun!! Here are a couple pictures of her running around the school's fun game centers!


Then Wednesday was her last day. She was actually excited because she knows next comes swim lessons, then 4th of July, then she'll be in KINDERGARTEN!!! lol Here's a picture of her before class and another with her teachers & Emilea after school.


The weekend was nice. Hailee spent most of Saturday outside. Well then she went to Josiah's baseball game but when she got back it was back outside! And she ate dinner with the boys! Today, back out she went! lol I made her come home for dinner with the family! It was a great night, we grilled ribs, foil potatoes, had salad with peas from the garden. We ate outside then all of us went into the hot tub! (pretty cool that tri-pod is) :)



So it's been a great few days. I've managed to get a lot done around the house that's been long over do as well as enjoy time with the kids. Braden is still showing signs of his ear infection which is making him need mommy. Sometimes it's a pain but he loves to give hugs and be held that I really don't mind! Let's pray his ears clear up or he'll be needing tubes around the July 4th holiday and I don't want to do that. That would really put a kink in his swim lessons!

Hope everyone has a great week.

It's Showdown Time!!!!

The Showdown at the Playground! Scrapbook Playground is having a HUGE contest! We will be taking submissions from now until June 15th. To enter, submit your best layout. The Playground Bullies (AKA as The Design Team) will pick their favorite 25 pages, and those lucky people will enter into the 8 week contest.

We are looking pages that are strong in photography, creativity, and overall design. Originality and creativity in all areas is very important. Layout entries will be judged on all of the above.

Queen of the playground is one who displays unique and inventive layouts that are clean, inspiring and creative. Does this sound like you? Come join the Showdown at the Playground, and you can become Queen!

Official Rules:
Dates of Contest The Contest starts NOW. You have until June 15th to submit your best layout to be considered for participation in this contest. This is the prelimenary round. This contest will run with the following dates:
June 18th-June 25th , 1st elimination round 1. We will go from 25 finalists to 20.
June 25th to July 2nd. Elimination round 2. We will go from 20 finalists to 15.
July 2nd to July 9th. Elimination round 3. We will go from 15 finalists to 10.
July 9th to July 16th. Elimination round 4. We will go from 10 finalists to 8.
July 16th to July 23rd. Elimination round 5. We will go from 8 finalists to 5
July 23rd to July 30th. Elimination round 6. We will go from 5 finalists to 3.
July 30th to August 6th. Elimination round 7. We will go from 3 finalists to 2.
August 6th to August 13th. Elimination round 8! We will have our new Scrapbook Queen of the Playground!

Determination of Winners:
Winners will be determined by 2 methods. In the prelimenary round, the Playground bullies will determine the initial 25 people to move on to round 1. After that, round 1 through round 4 will solely be determined by registered voters of the Scrapbook playground. (you)

To be a registered voter, all you need to do is register for the Playground. You can invite your family and friends to participate, but only one vote per registered user.

Rounds 5, 6, 7 and 8 will be judged by our Playground bullies, until the final winner is announced!

Entries for the DT (playground bullies) will be judged on Creativity, Photography, and overall design concept. We ask that all entries be posted only to the Playground, until the end of the contest, or elimination.

Prizes:
Grand Prize will be over 150.00 worth of scrapbooking items donated by our sponsors, A GC to the Playground in the amount of 50.00, and a custom font in the winners own handwriting. Product and Prizes are not redeemable for cash value.

1st runner up will win $50.00 in product and a Scrapbook Playground Gift certificate.

Taxes
Any valuation of the prize(s) stated above is based on available information provided to The Scrapbook Playground, and the value of any prize awarded to a winner may be reported for tax purposes as required by law. Each winner is solely responsible for reporting and paying any and all applicable taxes related to the prize(s) and paying any expenses associated with any prize which is not specifically provided for in the official rules. Each winner must provide The Scrapbook Playground with valid identification and a valid taxpayer identification number or social security number before any prize will be awarded. Prizes are not transferable, redeemable for cash or exchangeable for any other prize.
Eligibility & Limitations:
Participants and winner(s) must be at least 18 years, and must be a registered member of The Scrapbook Playground, with a valid email address. Employees of The Playground, the Contest's participating sponsors and their advertising agencies, Design Team members, and members of the immediate family of any such persons are not eligible to participate and win. Contributing and freelance artists free from contractual obligations to sponsors and/or manufacturers are eligible to enter. All submissions must be original designs. Layouts submitted for any round of the contest must remain exclusive to the Playground gallery for the contestant’s duration of the contest and not be published, posted or entered in any contest, in any magazine or on any website until the end of the contestant’s entire contest period. Each contestant guarantees that their submission is not duplicated from any other publication, individual or copyrighted work. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.

Decisions

By participating in the Contest, participants agree to be bound by the decisions of The Playground personnel. Persons who violate any rule, gain unfair advantage in participating in the Contest, or obtain winner status using fraudulent means will be disqualified. Un-sportsmanlike, disruptive, annoying, harassing or threatening behavior is prohibited. The Scrapbook Playground will interpret these rules and resolve any disputes, conflicting claims concerning the rules or the Contest and The Scrapbook Playground’s decisions concerning such disputes shall be final. If the conduct or outcome of the Contest is affected by human error, any mechanical malfunctions or failures of any kind, intentional interference or any event beyond the control The Scrapbook Playground, The Playground reserves the right to terminate this Contest, or make such other decisions regarding the outcome as The Playground deems appropriate. All decisions will be made by The Scrapbook Playground are final.

www.scrapbookplayground.com

See this man?

That's my baby brother. Well I have another one younger than him, but Neil is always going to be my baby brother (can't call him my little brother since he has about 6" on me!). One week ago today he turned 20, then today he calls to tell me he's engaged! When did he grow up? Ugh. He sounded so happy on the phone, it just made me smile...even though the thought of him getting married means he's growing up and moving on makes me sad :) I'll have to break it to him that getting married means you graduate to the "practical" gift at Christmas like everyone else...no more Starbucks cards! lol (so Tyler, I suggest staying at home as long as you can!!!)

I haven't met Jen (I hope that's how she spells it) yet, but Neil told me she likes my blog and wants to see my scrapbooks, so I pretty much love her already!

Not for sure, but they've mentioned getting married in September. That gives me 4 months to lose some weight..I don't want to be identifed as "the fat sister". So Neil and Jen, thank you for the push!

Congratulations to both of you! I can't wait to meet you, Jen, and Neil...you know I love you!

Yippee Skippee!!!

I just received an email from Jen at Bam Pop. She wants to put my layout in their gallery! How cool is that? I'm honored! I love their papers, I'm a little intimidated though...they're so funky and I.....well I'm not! lol But, I plan on playing some more. I have one kit, and the other is on it's way...well I should have had it by now but this one chick I ordered from is a MAJOR PROCRASTINATOR!!!! {smooches, B...love ya!} Anyway, I also have their fat birds stamp set and the unicorns. so fun! If you haven't checked them out yet you MUST!!! www.bampop.com (move down to see the pop art gallery link).

here's the layout that will be there :) Thanks for letting me share my news!

Will it ever end????

Had another visit with the awesome Dr. Knippers yesterday. This was for Hailee's stomach aches. I won't gore you with the details, but she's out of school again today drinking her "magic" juice, hoping to clear everything out. fun. Darren and I are really seeing her stubborn-ness, that's for sure.

While there, had Doc check Braden's ears since he still tugs on the right ear. Well the right ear is FINE, but the left ear still has fluid. SOOOO, my little guy is on his 3rd round of antibiotics. Even worse, if it isn't cleared up in 5 weeks he has to have tubes. ugh. He's so different than Hailee...she never got sick, had her 1st ear infec at the age of 2 1/2!!!! So keep him in your thoughts and pray he heals quickly.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is my dad's 60th birthday, and I want to wish him a happy one! He lives in Washington, and I'm in Oklahoma so we're not together...

Dad, have a super day. Know that I love you and am thinking of you!!!!

Neil sent me this picture a while ago and I want to show it off!

(this is my step-mom, Signe, and my dad, Rod...aren't they great?) :)

Strawberries are GOOD!

my poor little guy is running a fever AGAIN! this means he has no appetite. I wanted to get some food in that little belly so I pulled out the one thing I knew he wouldn't turn down....STRAWBERRIES! He ate 2, not like his normal 5, but I felt better knowing he had something to eat.

And can you believe this smiling face comes from a sick little man? gotta love him!

(this isn't clapping...he's signing "more"!)

Go Tonka!

Tonka trucks are sure strong, sturdy, and reliable! This truck was able to carefully haul my precious cargo...though there was a driver taking special care of the load! lol

Hailee loves giving Braden rides in her dump truck! He enjoys it, too. And me? well I love watching them play together! (makes for some great photos!)

(such a beauty, this one!)

Mini 'nado

Hailee was outside playing, Darren was at a meeting. It was 7:15 pm. I was worn out! This kid, that Darren has now dubbed "Mini 'nado" (as in tornado), was into EVERYTHING!! He is a busy little boy. And let's remember, he doesn't walk yet! After his bath he must have felt refreshed! He went from unloading his toy box to pushing the empty laundry basket (well, empty except for the car he put in there) around the house. When he crashed into my desk in the office he decided to go to the cabinet and unload my ribbon basket (I have LOTS of ribbon). Well he didn't like me taking him back to the living room, but decided to work with it. Hey, look, gadgets! lol He "talked" on the baby monitor, changed the channel on the TV (with the remote he found), pushed his activity table around, knocked over the magazine rack, emptied Sammy's toy basket, dumped the donation box over....oh gosh, I know I'm missing something! lol The whole time he's talking and laughing and giving me cute little faces because he KNOWS I'm going to come get him! He finally ended up back at the front door, watching Hailee play and pestering Sammy. WHEW! Milk and raisins slowed him down a bit until he went to bed at 9:00pm.

I need a nap.

My little artist.

Isn't this great? Hailee drew this duck freehand while watching me cut out a duck from some Basic Grey paper. I was amazed at how well she did. If I can tell what it is then I think that's pretty good.

So she may not scrapbook like mom, but that's okay. She has her own creative outlet. Hailee can sit for hours with her crayons, paper, color books, pencils...and be perfectly content. I'm so glad she's found something she loves.

A new monthly kit club!

Scrapbook Playground Presents The Monthly “Happy Box” Club!

Everyone loves to get presents in the mail. Why not make sure you get one every month especially for you?

Scrapbook Playground is “HAPPY” to offer a monthly scrapbook kit club, specializing in complete lines, keeping up with the newest trends, and opening up the vast world of embellishments.

Have you ever gone shopping for supplies and you want two sheets of the same paper, or wanted to purchase the entire coordinating set, but when you go to grab it, there’s only one or a rack that is completely blank? We have and we know the feeling.

Becoming a kit club member completely prevents that. Not only will you receive enough patterned paper, but we will also include matched colors in cardstock, embellishments, technique items and more. We will even include sketch ideas for you pages.

We want to help prevent any and all “scrapbookers block!” To make it even more appealing, we can offer these “boxes” at a great savings to you.

By becoming a club member, you can save up to $7 - $10 off the total retail price of all items included, plus remove the hassle of finding and selecting it yourself.

Kits typically include:
 Assortment of patterned paper.
 Multiple sheets of cardstock or specialty paper.
 Embellishments of all sorts: brads, anchors, chipboard, etc. Varies from month to month.
 Specialty items such as tools, chipboard albums, tins, home décor items and more.
 Technique items such as ink pads, pens, paint and stamps.
 Will always include a sketch idea or technique instructions.

As a club member you will never miss a “Happy Box”. Remaining boxes (if any) will be available for purchase at the Scrapbook Playground store once subscription orders have been fulfilled.

“Happy box” memberships are available for 3 month or 6 month subscriptions. Your monthly membership of $29.99 plus $5.95 shipping will be billed to you automatically and your “happy box” shipped directly to you around the 15th of each month. No need to remember to order or sign up, we’ll take care of it for you.

One month prior to the end of your subscription, you will receive a reminder that your term is coming to an end. If you are “Happy” with your subscription and wish to continue, simply do nothing and your service will be renewed. To discontinue your subscription after your initial term is fulfilled, please let us know at least 30 days prior to the last month of your subscription.

All subscriptions purchased prior to the 15th of the month will start with that month’s kit. Subscriptions purchased after the 15th will be started with the next month’s kit. To get your subscription started, please send the following information to wendi@scrapbookplayground.com:
Name
Address
Daytime Phone number and the best time to reach you
3 or 6 month subscription

Upon receipt of this information, one of our friendly staff members will contact you to obtain your payment information. This is for your security – no sending your credit card information by way of email!

www.scrapbookplayground.com