Lefse

Our 4H club held our Activity day the end of January. We received an email with various things offered for the kids to do. (Some of these projects will be judged for the state fair later this summer.) When I shared the list with Hailey she had her choices picked in an instant, Hunter on the other hand is a schedulers dream! There was only one activity he really, really wanted and he was wide open for whatever else was available!! When the schedule for the day was emailed back to us, Hunter was not so sure about learning how to make lefse! He had only tried it once before and was not a big fan. Lefse is one of many new to us Norwegian foods we have discovered since moving to North Dakota.
 On Activity day time came for the boy to head to the kitchen, the nice lady demonstrating how to make lefse is one of Hailey's BFF's great-grandmother. She showed the the kids how to rice the potatoes and mix the dough, and then one by one each took his/her turn rolling out the dough until it was paper thin. Then using a long,flat woooden stick the rolled out dough is moved to a hot round lefse griddle. It browns very quickly and forms bubbles, which you smack with the stick to flatten. The stick is used to turn the lefse to cook the other side and then to remove it from the hot griddle. Butter is spread over one side and then it is topped with a good covering of cinnamon sugar before it is rolled up and eaten. Much to Hunter's surprise he really does like hot lefse (cold lefse, not so much.)

 I am using the Project Life system to try and get our stories documented. I used the Seafoam Core kit for my title card and a Design A Page Protector. I embellished with a little Washi tape (hurray for finally using my Washi tape!) Thickers, and Kaiser Craft yellow pearls. The little journal piece on the bottom left picture was cut with my Cameo.

In case you you want the recipe you can find one here--> http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Norwegian-Lefse/

Thanks for stopping by!
Until later~

Hailey's Santa countdown

I love kid crafts and crafty kids! That may be one reason I have taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for ages. And now I am involved in Hailey's Girl Scout troop. My own kids were involved in crafting from birth, and now they are both very talented and so creative!
This year Hailey made a Christmas countdown using cardstock and a file from the Silhouette store. It was so cute and she was so proud of herself.

 She wanted to write the numbers on the circles and and use them in Santa's beard. (It would have been cute using cottonballs too.)

She was telling me how cute he is, I agree.

 She is so proud of doing a good job.

hahaha or should I say Ho ho ho, she is so funny. 

This was a fun and quick craft and she enjoyed doing it. We did respite that week 3 times with boys!! The boys were playing video games so this gave us some special "girl" time together.

Thank you for stopping by!

Until later~

Back to school 2014 2 Layouts

The kiddos headed back to school last week. I now have a 2nd grader and a 4th grader- I am amazed at how fast time flies!! I think my kids attend THE best school!
I used a couple of die cuts from the Silhouette store to whip up a couple of quick 12x12 scrapbook layouts.

 This is my layout once all of the paper was ready to be adhered. Cute enough layout, but I wanted to add a little more to it, step it up a bit more.

 This was after I added a few little touches. I added some Washi tape, a couple of things hand cut from the coordinating paper stack, buttons, a flower, a dew drop and some twine. I only need to add Hailey's photo and the year and her teacher's name will be added to the apple.

 I kept Hunter's layout more basic and less embellished. This is more suited towards him.

And here are my cuties!! Gosh, can you believe how much they have grown?? I keep telling them that they need to slow down...but they do not listen. LOL

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Simply Perfect In Every Way

It has been ages since I completed a scrapbook layout! My photo printer stopped printing everything except black and yellow months ago, but a recent call to the manufacturer and now I am back in business with a new upgraded model! (Why didn't I call sooner?) The new printer did not come a minute too soon either, I had just taken some pictures and needed wanted to get them scrapped right away!
Hailey joined Girl Scouts last Fall and she is loving it! As soon as she found out the GS would be having a Buddy and Me Ball she asked daddy if he would be her date. He was more than happy to accept.
After buying the perfect dress and shoes, practicing her dancing and warning daddy, "If you do any dance moves that embarrassed me I will pretend I don't know you!" our little girl was ready for her first dance.
It was -45* outside and the temperature was falling when it came time to head into town. Daddy took her for some fast food (so she wouldn't have to get out of the warm truck) and then they headed to the Girl Scouts building. After leaving her snow pants and clunky snow boots in the truck she was ready for some fun.
Each girl received a corsage and each couple had their picture taken, and then the dancing began! Hailey was so excited that most of the girls from her troop were there too,  she had a blast! (As a part of the physical education class at school the kids have learned a lot of different dances. Because she knew so many dances, my otherwise slightly reserved girl had no problems getting her groove on! Thank you, Mrs. J!!)

One of the members of my scrapbooking group on FB issuesd a layout challenge.

2 page layout-check
1 basic color-Beige
2 accent colors-Black and red
Min. 2 photos per page-Yep
I journaling block-Got it
Simple embellishment-Oh yeah!

So while the other ladies are trying to settle on a deadline I got my layout done. :-)

 I used an old My Mind's Eye Lost and Found collection. I really wanted the photos to be the focus of the layout so I kept things very simple.

 For the left page I used a die cut page, a 4x6  and a 5x7 photo, I added a strip of coordinating designer paper and a punched border. I added a little journalling, a few black rhinestones and the butterfly that was one of the coordinating pieces. They red glitter accents were already on the paper.

The right side is where I used my 8x10 photo collage. A matching strip of paper and rhinestones to tie the two pages together and then I added an embellishment cluster to finish this page. I popped dotted a die cut from the collection on top of some black tulle I ruffled and tied and 3 black feathers. 

 

A close up of the feathers, tulle and die cut.

It is hard to believe how grown up my little girl looks!! I don't need to tell you that she had a wonderful time, and will remember this night for years to come. Daddy took her for ice cream (her most favorite thing EVER!!) after the dance and by the time she got home she was totally worn out, but oh so happy. I must say, Hailey's first dance was "Simply Perfect In Every Way!"

Thanks for stopping by!

Until later~

Elf on the Shelf Day 1-2013

 The kids were so surprised and happy to see Snowflake and Holly had made their return some time during the night. A few times during the past couple of weeks Hailey and Hunter had mentioned various things about our elves, but I think it was a total surprise to find them this morning.
  Hunter walked over to them several times and whispered some of his ideas of things for them to do.
 (I wish I had gotten a video, he was so sweet leaning in close, but not close enough to touch them, talking to them. It melted this mom's heart!!)

"We're back!" Spelled out in M&M's  Holly needs to practice making her "k's" the correct way.

I guess it must be a tradition now that the first morning is when the elves bring breakfast- Donuts and chocolate milk. (At least Hunter and Hailey were not heading off to school after that breakfast!!)

 

 Holly

Snowflake

I had promised Hailey that after church today we would get her tree up. So, the second she got home she reminded us about the tree. (The girl was a sight heading to the garage to get her tree- in her baby doll pj's and snow boots and coat.)

 Last year the kids each had a tree in their bedrooms for the first time. Hailey has a cute little  white tree with purple lights and pretty pink decorations.

LOL, funny girl!

 A little fairy.

All done.

 Hunter's has a skinny tree. A very skinny tree!! LOL

Hunter working on His tree. Snow on the ground does not mean you have to wear a shirt! LOL  (And YES!! my kids would live in jammies if possible!!)

He decorated it just like he wanted it!! 

Well, now that the kids' trees are done they can help with the rest of the decorations, and the other 2 trees.

With bad weather in the forecast for the next 3 days (maybe a foot of snow and -40*???) the elves left a little early this evening. It was a surprise after showers tonight to see Snowflake and Holly were already gone. We are hoping they use their magic to come back before morning.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Until later~

Our first North Dakota snow

Early last week the weather reporters started warning us about a snow storm blowing through from the Rocky Mountains. AS the week went on the amount predicted varied as did the path of the storm. Saturday was to be the day! Friday it was beautiful, I did a few things outside without a jacket. Saturday came and went and no snow, the kids were so disappointed! Sunday morning just after we got out of bed we started getting some ice, and then snow. After a late breakfast (we missed church, not knowing how long the ice would last) the kids were beyond thrilled to see some snow. They both stood with there noses pressed against the sliding glass door and Hunter said, "I am so excited, our first North Dakota snow!!"
 Two seconds later they were racing around getting dressed and digging out the winter garb.

Hailey all ready for some fun in the snow! (As long as it is pink she will wear it. Does not even have to be the same shade of pink. LOL)

Hunter all ready.

LOL, here she goes out to play in the snow!! Yes, that was our snow, that teeny, tiny little bit!! You would have thought we had several inches by the way the kids were acting!

And, you can not play in the snow without making a snow angel!! LOL 

I hope you got a good laugh, I sure did. Those crazy kids!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Until later~

One day of greatness

Two weeks ago Hunter brought a slip of paper home from school. Grades 1-5 would be playing football on Saturday morning. When I asked Hunter if he wanted to play he told me no, he was afraid of getting hurt. Nothing more was said about the football game until that Friday night, you guessed it, he changed his mind and wanted to play.
We got to the field and Hunter didn't want to get out there with the other boys (and one girl, boy was she quick and tough!!) Finally he joined the others on the field. And just as I thought it was a friendly game of flag football.... BUT Hunter had never played flag football, the only football this kid has seen is rough and tumble TACKLE football. The first couple of plays my boy was tough as nails defending his man, (read as... hanging around that big kid's neck trying to get him down!! LOL) He did get the hang of FLAG football after a few plays. (Thank goodness!!)

He looks like a real football player, huh? 

 Getting his flag re-attached.

They played for an hour. Hunter got out there and had fun.... but on the way home he told us he was done with football!! LOL I am so glad he gave it a try. And I am soooo happy he is done with football.... for now anyway!! :-)

(The other boys are still playing flag football on Saturday mornings, but not Hunter! Three days after the game he broke his arm! His may be one of the shortest football careers ever!! LOL)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Until later~

Frist day of school

This is Hunter's first day of First Grade picture. He actually missed the first 2 days of school because we was driving to North Dakota. Hunter is loving his new school!! There are 21 First graders.... total!! (Last year there was 90 Kindergerteners in his school!) There are a few differences other than class size, he has physical education every day, there are no school fees, his supply list included just the basics (no copy paper, trash bags or other things the school needs to operate) lunch costs half as much and he has not had to sell one thing yet!! LOL
He has been taking several tests each week. (The night before his first test he was praying that he would be sick the next morning. LOL) He is doing very well, and the teacher said he has adjusted well. In ND they use block print and last year Hunter's school used the other print. (Oh, what is the name of the "loopy" print??)
 Another change to our school schedule this year is that Hailey now attends Preschool. (Her class is just across the hall from Hunter's class.)

This is sister's first day of school picture. She LOVES school!! She is in class with 10 other children- there are 9 girls and 2 boys in her class!! She goes 2 days a week for 3 hours each day. I am not sure what all they do, but whatever it is wears her out. LOL She wants to go to school everyday! :-)
 Once I get everything unpacked I am hoping to use my time while the kids are in school as my creative time! We will see how that goes. :-)
Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~

All she wanted for her birthday....

THIS is what Hailey wanted for her birthday...... "West Birginia!!" The kids love West Virginia, they would move there in a split second if possible. (Hubby tried very hard to get a job there before finding a job in ND.)
The kids have so much freedom while we are there, something they do not get in Columbus. They are free to come and go as they please, and they do. LOL There are lots of cousins there to spend time with, and in West Virginia they have a "Mawmaw" and "Pawpaw" "aunts, uncles and cousins."  And on this trip they got to spend lots of time in the pool.

This is our water loving girl!!

Hailey was content to float all day.

Hunter totally amazed me!! He was doing cannonballs right away. This was their first "real" pool, but Hunter started treading water quickly. He used the floaties for maybe 20 minutes and then he was done with them. The little stinker was swimming underwater like he had been doing it forever.

And there he goes again!! LOL The kids were waterlogged by the end of the weekend,but very happy.  Hailey went to Vacation Bible School one night, then we all went to see the program, in the little church where my daddy grew up. After the program and back at Mawmaw and Pawpaw's everyone gathered for birthday cake and ice cream. Hailey was so surprised!! We all had a great time!!
 It was hard saying good bye this time. I know that it will not be 3.5 hours away any more, but instead it will be 25 hours away. West Virginia is a place where I spent a lot of time during my childhood summers, a place that holds lots of memories, the place where I came from. It is a place where I always feel loved and at home, a place I never want to leave. A place that causes me to have a huge lump in my throat, my eyes burn, and the tears flow every time I say good bye. My kids now are having the same hard time when we leave, but I know why....... Because West Virginia is in our blood!!

And now she is 5.......

So, last week in the middle of all this packing, moving craziness she did it. Without my permission, I might add. I can not believe it, without a second thought my baby girl turned 5!! F-I-V-E!!! Hailey is growing up right before my eyes!!

She picked out her own cake. She went with a brown and pink one with butterflies. She completely surprised us by not choosing a Princess cake or any other Disney/Nickelodeon character available in cake form. Nope, just pink and brown with butterflies for our five year old.

She almost blew them all out with one puff.

And just after I put the camera away she stuck her finger in the icing..... as always. :-)
She has grown so much, and changed so much in five years. Hailey definitely has her own ideas on EVERYTHING!! She has already given me more than enough Haileyisms to write a book. LOL
The cake she chose was a surprise, where she chose to have her Birthday dinner was no surprise- Golden Corral, for some reason she loves that place. (Maybe it is because she can help herself to a soft serve ice cream cone once she has finished her dinner. )
You are not going to believe what "gift" she asked for this year!!!
To be continued............
Until later~

Water fun

We took the kiddos to one of the city parks for some water fun.

Just out of the shot are several buckets that fill with water, and once filled dump to the pavement below. Hunter was proud of himself for being so brave and getting dumped on.

Having some serious fun!! (And no, we were not the only ones there. LOL The place was pretty well filled with kids, I was lucky enough to get some pictures of just our two.)

A fun way to spend a warm summer evening!

A wet Haileybug.

 Not a pot of gold under at the end of the rainbow, but something much better..... Hunter and......

Hailey

Thanks for stopping by!!

Until later~

Pool time

I am finally getting around to using the pool pictures from last year. Hunter's Sponge Bob swim trunks always make me smile. My kids love to play, and for them adding water makes it that much better!! I feel all  warm and fuzzy  watching the two of them have so much fun.
 I used the Fancy Pants Beach Bum 6x6 paper pad.  I used a coordinating Copic marker on the designer paper pieced swim trunks on the penguin. His Popsicle was colored with Copics and then covered with Glossy Accents to make it shiny. The pennant was cut from a piece of the designer paper. Pool time was cut using the Cricut (and the Gypsy to bump the "time"together.)
 Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~

Hunter's Kindergarten layout

Today I have a layout for Hunter's school album. This was his very first school picture. (It is amazing how much older he looks at the end of the school year!!) I used the Campy Trails collection from American Crafts. (This collection has LOTS of green, you know i am lovin' that.) In addition to the greens Campy Trails uses an assortment of retro patterns and colors- without being "over the top." Tip:Even though the papers are  a campy theme, they can be used for layouts that are not camping related. I like how the colors add a playful feel to my layout, perfect for my little man. :- )

What do you think of  the Jillibean Soup Corrugated Butteflies? I had never used the corrugated shapes before, but this will not be the last time. :-)

The layout was inspired by Karrie Cook.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Until later~

Fisherman Thank You

A couple of weeks ago Hunter was invited to go with the older boys from church to participate in their Annual Fishing Derby. Hunter was so excited to get to go, but I think daddy was even more excited to get to go with Hunter. Well, my boy caught the very first fish of the day- a 14.5" trout. (In the photo Mr. Chad is holding the fish for Hunter.  That really makes me laugh because I know how Hunter is about keeping his hands clean. It doesn't matter how dirty his face gets, his hands have to be clean! LOL)
 I used a retired stamp from The Angel Company and paper from October Afternoon for this cute fisherman Thank You card for the RA leader.

Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~