A Small Measure of Accomplishment

::::::::::::::::::::FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is a link to your photo book in the Shutterfly Gallery: http://community.shutterfly.com/gallery/post/start.sfly?postId=/gallery/1/post/GMGDFg1buGzdwxZjOKhMsA

:::::::::::::::::::::Summer Expressions::::
I was playing around with a couple of my favorite photos and came up with these:



<sub>My dd, Eve, on a trip to Oregon's Ona Beach.


Brand new today EXPRESSIONS "SUMMER" {Wordart}
background paper from Dawn's New Beginnings kit
NDISB: http://www.ndisb.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16_63&products_id=2908

Treasures to Scrap: http://digistore.treasurestoscrap.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1569

ScrapScandiStyle: http://shop.scrapscandistyle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1497</sub>

::::::::::::::College For Kids:::::::::::

starts for Rachel, today. She attends the writing camp for a week every Summer. Michael enjoys the chance to hang out with her for the ride home after work. Today Michael is giving platelets, so Rachel will tag along and see what daddy does every few weeks.

::::::::::::::Yesterday:::::::::::::::

Noah's tooth finally came out. Michael made Rice Krispie treats and the minute Noah bit into his treat the tooth popped out. Noah informed me that he would be asking the Tooth Fairy for 2 dollars. I explained that the Tooth Fairy didn't have that kind of money. He was curious how I had such inside information since I, nor, his father was the Tooth Fairy. This morning he was pleased with his 1 dollar bill and thought it was funny that the Tooth Fairy forgot to retrieve the tooth in the handy dandy ziplock baggy. What a silly Tooth Fairy!

I also got to walk about 4 miles with Michael in the evening. Their were sprinkles of rain, but nothing stayed and we had a delightfully cool walk.

I had my first official day in the nursery at Church as one of the leaders. I even got a set of keys to the coveted toy closet. The other leader, Kim, and I took the kids for a brief walk around the building. The day was gorgeous and a breath of fresh air is a good thing.

On Saturday we learned of the passing of a wonderful friend of ours, Cathy. My mom wrote a beautiful blog post about Cathy's last visit.

Grampa Jim

blogged

about his day of cleaning and prepping a ceiling fan with Princess Eve that is a hoot. Eve loves to do Fix It stuff with Grampa, she also does so with her own flair.

Here are a couple of pages from the FINISHED Shutterfly album:




Off to deliver the author to camp! Take care! :)

Match!

Staying hydrated:

Practicing serves:


I used an old umbrella for a parasol for all three days, which was super helpful. I was bitten only once during my three day vigil. Rachel came over to take a drink of water and I turned to say something to her and felt a painful sting inside my shirt. I pulled my shirt open at the neck and peeked down. Sure enough an ant was in there and I promptly flicked the dude out. He had bitten me on the...rhymes with Mr. Whipple...that little jerk of an insect. Luckily, I brought Caladryl with me and I discreetly applied some soothing balm to my bite. YIKES!

Still practicing serves:




Eve's refreshment for the day was strawberries:
Practicing bouncing the ball with the racquet:
My lap was good for a few seconds of rest:
Eve fiddling with her sunglasses:




Each of the girls got a shirt from the camp:

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Another layout from Vacation (last year):::::::

:::::::::::::Blast From the Past::::::

Here was one of the places I found one of the most magnificent in the world:

This is an old layout, but I just love Yellowstone National Park and was waxing nostalgic.

I hope y'all have a great weekend! :)

Rain or Shine

I must give props where props are due. My husband is often asked to critique my layouts, which is brave, indeed. I know I ask, but that can be a slippery slope for a husband caught unawares. Luckily, Michael set ground rules for offering his, constructive, critism. Yesterday, I asked him a few times what he thought. His observations were very helpful. He also helped me use the smudge tool to get the reflections in the water the way I wanted. Just add this to the list of reasons he is "The Best Wife I Ever Had"!


<sub>My daughter, Rachel, playing in the huge puddles after a brief rainstorm at Niagara Falls.


Brand new kit by Dawn Inskip "WEATHER STATION" available in the following stores Friday, April 18th.

Also her Type Cast Alpha, and Midnight Clear alpha,

NDISB http://www.ndisb.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=58

Treasures to Scrap http://digistore.treasurestoscrap.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=20

ScrapScandiStyle http://shop.scrapscandistyle.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=43

also: Kate Hadfield: Skinny and Tall alpha,
with Tiff Brady: Wordy Bits Basics, Vacation Wordy Bits,</sub>

::::::::::::::::::Book Club:::::::::::

I was invited by my friend, Kim, to join the book club with some ladies in our ward. We discussed the book Austenland by Shannon Hale. This was my first meeting and I was told this was considered very light reading from some of their past works. I, thoroughly, enjoyed this book and we had a lively discussion with prompts prepared, by Kim, on slips of paper. There were 12 of us and everyone got a chance to comment. There was a range of liked a lot to didn't like and it was fun to hear everyones' take on the book. At one point I got a moment to defend Mr. Darcy's character. That was fun...do you think Jane Austen we be smiling? They are a great bunch and I look forward to our next book and meeting!

:::::::::::::::::Introduction to Lawn Mowing:::::::

Grandpa Jim picked Aaron up, yesterday, to take him to mow the lawn of one of our friends. She plans to pay Aaron sometimes and other times he will use the lawn mowing as service hours for Scouts. Grandpa Jim showed him how the mower worked and how to be safe, then how to make even rows. Michael showed up to pick Aaron up and gave him pointers, as needed. Aaron did a great job from Grandpa's report. Unfortunately, the cold he has is kicking his, proverbial, rear end and he felt yucky when he got home and he skipped bowling league today. He asked to get a reading assignment so he could lay down. He is upstairs reading a kid's version of Julius Ceasar. Since we have watched the BBC version he should follow the play without a problem. I hope he gets well soon. He has to take the CRCT, starting Monday.

:::::::::::::::::Looking Forward To::::::

"Alice in Wonderland" this weekend put on by the local high school. Rachel and I are going with her Girl Scout troop. Fun girls, so I'm looking forward to the performance.

Take care!

Help A Brother Out...

Text: Aaron has two things he really loves, one is having his back scratched and the second is to have his head scratched. Mom is usually called on for this primal bonding task, but on this day Eve was happy to help a brother out.

Credits:
Darcy Baldwin: DJB MANDY at The Digichick
Michelle Coleman: Wild Sorbet

::::::::::::::::::::::::From My SIL's Album::::::

one of my cute nephews, Alfredo:


Credits:
Darcy Baldwin: Doodl E Doo at The Digichick
Background paper from Scrap Girls freebie
Kate Hadfield: Doodle Tape, Back to School Collab kit, Word Doodles
Tia Bennett: Joined at The Hip
Ida: Crayon Doodles


::::::::::::::::::::Adventures in Driving:::::

All is well, but ever eventful. Yesterday we went to Michael's sister's house for Family Home Evening. Before we left, his other sister called and asked for a ride. We said certaintly and instead of using Michael's truck we used my minivan due to needing the seventh seat belt. Not long into the hour journey I hear and feel a loud thumping under the hood. The man driving next to me had this surprised look on his face as he passed. I pulled over to a wedge of asphalt between the on ramp and the highway for Michael to take a peek. He said it was my serpentine belt, again. The belt had feathered and was coming apart. He told me to drive it off the highway no matter what I heard under the car. So, I started her back up and kept driving (thump, thwack, thump) until the belt tore free from it's shredded brother. I pulled into a motel parking lot for Michael's next inspection. He decided that the remain portion of belt would serve just fine. We got to our destination spot on time.

After having some yummy barbeque, vegetables and funeral potatoes the family sang Happy Birthday to Michael and Christopher. We then, ate some brownies and cup cakes. Our trip home was made exciting due to sheeting rain and standing water. We say one truck that was totaled due to hitting a tree. We made it home and switched vehicles for the hour ride to my stepmother's house for the kids to spend the night and day with her and my niece, Haley. Then, back in the car for an hour home. Ah, to sleep, perchance to dream!

Have a great day!

More Stuff and Things

We all got soaked to the skin, but it was worth it for our amazing tour of the American Falls at Niagara.


_{Font: DJB JANELLE by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
Two Sisters Design: Funktastic Backgrounds, Label It Alpha
Sande Krieger: A Traveling We Will Go
Jenn Patrick: Backward Staples
Christina Renee: Proof Sheets, Glitter Splatters
Lauren Reid: Crazy title
Weeds and Wildflowers: Doodles
Amber Clegg: Date Stamps
Kate Hadfield: Paper Swirls}

::::::::::::::::::More Goofy Stuff About ME::::

21. If I have a car with air conditioning I will leave it off and roll down the windows because I love the wind whipping through the car, but I don't care for convertibles because it is a bit too much wind whipping for me.

22. The last time I had a working watch was about 1998 when I had a job at the Credit Union. I don't like watch sweat...you know the build up of perspiration under your watch. I had one with a leather band and it was nice a flat-faced. I tried fancy linked ones and the spinning and clasp adjusting was quite annoying, so I just gave up on the whole watch deal. I figure their is enough people who do like watches around, or have their handy dandy cell phones that they like showing off to give me the time. That way everybody is happy and I'm on time.

23. I have a severe nickel allergy. I discovered this when I got my ears pierced at 21. I bought some lovely silver earrings and 14k gold ones. It was fine at first and then my ears would feel hot. I put antibiotic cream on and let them heal, then put my gold earrings in and within 5 minutes my ears were hot and swollen. I also bought a pair of glasses that had nickel under the top coating. Once the coating wore off the nickel was against my skin, which caused my skin to die. Lovely...so lovely:( Rachel wants her ears pierced, but I have to have her take a nickel allergy test first to see if she's like me.

24. I don't care to wear jewelry. Notice the "wear" part. I think jewelry is an amazing form of art and I find it attractive, but I don't have the same affinity for it as most people. I think of gems as beautiful rocks, but I have no desire to own them. I find the way people value them above the lives of others reprehensible. Michael is aware that I never would like a piece of jewelry as a present for any occasion. Most people see diamonds as symbols of love, affection, purity, and constancy, but for me they are just pretty rocks.

:::::::::::::::::::Ice Skating:::::::::::

Our teacher for Georgia Virtual Academy organized an outing to the Ice Forum. Aaron had never been ice skating, but after I showed him how to lace up his skates he got right on the ice. He likes in-line skating, but thought ice skating was too fast. We skated around for 45 minutes. He went around a couple of times without me, while I adjusted my lacing. I fell once, which was okay. Aaron told me that his feet hurt and he wanted to stop, so I congratulated him on getting out on the rink and trying. We stopped by Steak and Shake for lunch and had steak burgers with fries (and onion rings). I ordered one of their half and half malts with banana on one side and chocolate on the other. Aaron ordered a chocolate milkshake. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs, but it was tasty. Aaron used the time we waited to get our orders to show me all the different Pokemon on his new Nintendo DS he recieved as a birthday present from Granny Alice. It was fun just to hang out with him for a few hours.

:::::::::::::::::::Think of Others::::::::

is a trait I try to foster in the kids and I was so proud of Evey. Her pre-school teacher's birthday was yesterday and she was very adamant that we should give the teacher a gift. I suggested flowers and she approved of the idea. When I woke her up for school on Friday and got her dressed and seated for breakfast she said, "It's my teacher's birthday today and remember, I get to pick out the flowers!" I had forgotten...hey it had been almost 24 hours! I hurried her through breakfast and we all loaded into the car and ran by the grocery store. Eve wanted some cut flowers, but I suggested a potted plant. She chose a beautiful purple orchid and helped me check it out, then held it all the way to school. She and the orchid were almost the same height and it was so funny watching her try to back into the classroom to surprise her teacher. The smile on Eve's face was radiant as she got a hug from a very appreciative teacher. I hope this act of kindness is just the beginning!


::::::::::::::::::::::Blood Diamonds::::::::


Description from Amazon.com: Long a symbol of love, affection and faithfulness, the diamond is now increasingly linked with war, blood and brutality. In the diamond-rich West African nation of Sierra Leone, rebels used the precious gems to bankroll a violent ten-year insurrection, leaving a terrorized population and a ravaged landscape in its wake. National Geographic correspondents follow the trail of illicit diamonds from their origin in the muddy pits of impoverished Sierra Leone, to the pristine cobblestone streets of Antwerp, Belgium, to their final stop in the glittering display cases of New York's finest jewelry stores.

Aaron and I watched this as our supplemental history of the day. We were struck mostly by the sad state of people in West Africa who were maimed during the 10 year insurrection. There were children Aaron's age and younger missing limbs. We discussed why people put so much value on this piece of carbon. It was an, often times, frightening journey for those making the documentary. The journalist showed the shot up rusted vehicle of a fellow journalist on the way to where he was headed. It amazed me that large groups of people would spend 365 days a year digging for diamonds in these huge holes scarring the Earth to find diamonds to statisy the world market. They had rich fertile earth they could plant crops and feed their families, but these have been abandoned for the diamond mines...actually much more of their humanity was abandoned when their focus shifted to follow the vanity of the world.

::::::::::::::::::Swim Lessons::::::::::

...start today. I'll let you know how the kids do.

Smiles,

Victoria

Saturday is a Special Day...

...it's the day we get ready for Sunday!

Just wanted to throw in some primary lyrics.




My nephews and BIL. The little boys were both wearing onesies that said "Monkey Business" and they are such cute little guys.

Monkey Boys:


_{Chalk Full of Fun by Lisa Whitney
Rubberbands, Stitched Alpha, Doodle Alpha, Pirate Doodles, Animal Doodles by Kate Hadfield
Piled Higher by Christina Renee,
Torn Edge template by Jen Caputo
Font: DJB MICHAEL by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
Felt flower from TLP's Summer Collab kit (Natalie Braxton's piece)}

::::::::::::::Just When You Thought It Was Safe:::::

Niagara Falls, Layout 1~


_{Cluster Frames by Nancy Comelab
Font: Stickybet / DJB MICHAEL by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
Travel brush stamp by Sande Krieger at Twopeasinabucket}


:::::::::::::::::::::::Devil's Advocate? ::::::::::::

While reading The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil by Philip Zimbardo the author made this observation:

"We had also experienced 'groupthink.' Once I, as leader, believed the rumor to be valid, everyone else accepted it as true. No one played devil's advocate, a figure that every group needs to avoid follish or even disastrous decisions like this." (p. 99)

My husband, Michael, plays devil's advocate in conversations. It often unnerves people because they think he is trying to start an argument. In actuality, he really enjoyed debate club as a teenager and likes to take the opposite position so that what ever topic is being discussed is seen by all possible angles. He doesn't necessarily subscribe to the point of view from which he is speaking. His point is to make the person espousing some particular view point to really understand why they believe what they are saying and be able to back it up. Even with the kids he will preface his responses with "I'm not trying to argue...but why do you think that. Or, what made you come to that conclusion?" He enjoys discussing politics, religion, astronomy, ecology, geology and sewing. He really likes to know what people think and he likes these conversations because it helps him better define what he thinks.

I thought this Calvin and Hobbes cartoon apropos:


:::::::::::::::Movie Today?::::

We are going to try and see the new Harry Potter film today, if possible.

Smiles!

Maid of the Mist

_{Cluster Frames by Nancy Comelab
Font: DJB Michael by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
Tape by Kate Hadfield
Boy Buttons by Natalie Braxton
Grungy Alpha by Birgit
Doodle Alpha and Layered Alpha by Weeds and Wildflowers
Backward Staples by Jenn Patrick}



::::::::::::I Saw This:::::

quiz on Janna's blog and felt compelled to take it.

Which Napoleon Dynamite character are you?

You are Deb and you could drink whole milk if you wanted.
Take this quiz!








Quizilla |
Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

::::::::::::::::::::::::::Guitar Lessons?::::

Aaron is interested in taking guitar lessons so I am checking out a place a couple of miles away. He has a friend taking lessons from the same facility. If he decides to follow through with the lessons he might try to learn bass because he always picks out those parts in the songs he likes.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::German Lessons:::::

Aaron and I went over lesson one again before going on to lesson to on the Pimsleur cds. I stopped by the School Box store to see if they had any language workbooks, but they had nothing for any language. I will have to peruse Amazon.com, I guess. If anyone has any workbook suggestions I would appreciate a link. Thanks!

While at the School Box I picked up a lesson book for To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I hope to have this book for discussion with Aaron and Michael said he wanted it to be one of our family reading books.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::Speaking of Family Reading Books:::::

The way Gulliver saved the palace from burning down was so bizarre. The kids were laughing when Gulliver urinated on the fire. Surprisingly enough, the empress refused to ever return to that part of the palace.

Gulliver also learns about the fickle nature of political leaders after he saves Lilliput from invasion by sea. The Emperor is thrilled and bestows Gulliver with the highest title of "Nardac", but quickly becomes angred with Gulliver for trying to help broker peace. The Emperor wanted to make the other country a province overseen by a viceroy a making them a slave population for Lilliput. The Emperor would also command which side of the egg to crack. Gulliver said they were a noble people and should maintain their sovereignty. The Emperor's greed quickly negated the fact that Gulliver had saved his country. The opinion didn't improve after Gulliver's unique fire quenching abilities, either!

:::::::::::::::::::::::The Lucifer Effect::::::::

The study was designed to observe prisoner behavior under conditions were they felt powerless. What was surprising to the researchers was the rapid metamorphosis of those role playing the guards. The struggle for being the alpha male among the guards led to increased abuse towards the prisoners. The night shift, which was supposed to be the less active turned out to be the most active and abusive. The researchers decided to send in an informer, which back fired quickly when the informer identified and sided with the prisoners.

Still reading...will let you know more later.

Feelin' Loopy

I went to bed early this morning and about 3am Eve walked in and climbed up into bed. Her skin felt cool and clammy and she would sit up and she was just restless. Then, she said she was going to be sick. How true! Poor kid threw up and then it was back and forth to try and lay down on the bed, or get comfortable on the bathroom floor. She is sleeping now and I'm MOM ZOMBIE! I hope she is feeling better when she wakes up!

::::::::::::::::::Puppets 101:::::::::

Here are a couple of layouts from our recent family reunion


My son enjoyed learning how to embellish his puppet with the help of his Aunt Lettitia.

Background paper and Doodle frame from Chalk Full of Fun by Lisa Whitney,
Boy Buttons by Natalie Braxton,
Crayon Doodles by Ida,
Messy Glitter Pen by Faith True,
Negative slide from Simples Expressions by Jen Wilson,
Felt Alpha by Designing On The Edge,
Crimped Alpha by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
Crimped Playthings by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
Font: DJB LINDSE1 by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick


Keeping It Together!



Text: Apparently, the twins had a habit of yanking off their diapers, and sometimes they found creative ways to use what they found in there. So, Melissa resorted to using duct tape to keep the diapers in place. Dakotta Rose gave me a suspicious look as I digitally recorded this bit of practical life.


Duct Tape Frame freebie from Valerie Foster
Midnight in the Garden kit by Kay Miller
Doodle Stitched Alpha, Wordy Bits, Rainbow Tape and Pipecleaner Flowers by Kate Hadfield
Big Boy Buttons by Natalie Braxton
Glitter and Old Proof Frame by Christina Renee
DJB LENA by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
Holding It Together alpha by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick


:::::::::::::::::::::Cave of the Winds::::::

This is a fun tour we took on the American Falls section of Niagara:


_{Messy Staples by Kate Hadfield,
Glitter from Birthday Kit and HandStamped Alpha by Michelle Coleman,
Cluster Frames by Nancy Comelab,
Don't Be Negative by Gina Miller,
Font: DJB MICHAEL by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick}


Must run! Smiles!

So Shines a Good Deed...

in a weary world!

Text: Eve was very timid about going into the surging water on the Hurricane Deck at the American Falls in Niagara, New York. A teenage girl asked if she would like her to take her to her siblings already in the water. Eve shyly took her hand and braved the rushing waters. I appreciated the kindness of the young girl and how brave my little four year-old was that day!

How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a weary world.
~William Shakespeare


A young teenage girl offered by daughter, Eve, a reassuring hand. Eve was to timid to follow her siblings into the falls, but wanted to go. She was able to overcome her fear with the encouragment of this girl. I really appreciated this young girl for her act good deed and my daughter for being brave.


_{Ceres Spring kit: Jackie Eckles
Cardboard Edge: Amanda Rockwell
Write It Down kit: Little Dreamer Designs
Crimped Alpha: Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
Cardboard Frame: Kate Hadfield
Date Stamps: Amber Clegg
Fonts: DJB Juliana in a Hurry, DJB Mandy, DJB DOODLY DOO! by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
Journaling Highligts: Jackie Eckles
Brown Punched Alpha: Andrea Cox
Doodle Alpha: Weeds and Wildflowers
Water Doodle: Ida}

:::::::::Eye Update:::::::

The doctor said my eye looks a lot better. I still get don't have clear vision in my left eye. The top row of the eye test is even a ghostly blur, but I'm sure it will improve soon. Another perk of my injury is getting to have lunch with my husband after my check up today! (I'm sure there are a gazillion better ways to get a lunch date, though!)

My dad has cataract surgery on Tuesday, so maybe I will be more empathetic. Best wishes, dad!


::::::::::::::::Songbird Avenue::::::

This beautiful kit was designed by Robin Carlton, Meredith Fenwick and Jan Crowley.
This month’s proceeds will benefit the Make a Wish Foundation! Check out their amazing work!




Smiles!

Take Joy in Small Wonders:

_{Background Papers: Write it Down from Little Dreamer Designs and 9th Avenue by Iron Orchid Designs,
Felt Buttons: Big Boy Buttons by Natalie Braxton
Staples: Backward Staples by Jenn Patrick
Vintage Frames: Katie Pertiet/ Jessica Bolton
Tape: Kate Hatfield
Date Stamp: Amber Clegg
Punch Alpha: The Powers Sisters
Cardboard flowers: Little Lauren Lalas by Amanda Rockwell
Doodle flowers and Metal Flowers: Kate Hadfield
Primary Rubberbands: Kate Hadfield
Black Journal Paper: Dear Diary by Erica Hite
flourish doodle: Reverie Add-on by Weeds and Wildflowers
Fastener: Collectibles 1 by Sausan Designs
Wordy Bits Alpha: Kate Hadfield and Tiff Brady
Torn and Curled Paper Edges: Jen Caputo
Fonts: DB Michael by Darcy at the Digichick, Hello Sark, Taylor Makenzie}

::::::::::::::::::Current Reading List::::::

The Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

The Lucifer Effect by Phillip Zimbardo

The Sisters Grimm book 4 by Michael Buckley

I'm on the last three pages of my book by William Wilberforce and will try to give a review in a couple of days.

::::::::::::::::::All Quiet on the EASTERN Front::::

Michael and I took Rachel, Noah and Eve to spend the night at my stepmom, Alice's house. My dad and Alice just got back from a mission trip to Montana. Alice said Glacier Park was amazing. Rachel will also get to play with her cousin Haley. The girls are the same age and love to be giggly together.

Aaron is at a sleepover at his friend Jacob's house. I pick up up at 5 tonight so he can go to Scouts.

Hmmmm...what to do with myself...READ or clean...Oh, what a quandry ;)! Reading wins, so until later lovely people!

Smiles!

Drivin' All Night, My Hands Wet On The Wheel:

Yes, that is a line from the song "Radar Love" by Golden Earring. Michael drove from Niagara, New York to Cleveland, Ohio, then I took the figurative reins. We took 77 South to 85 South as our route. I got to beep the horn in West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. We only had one emergency pit stop on the way. Poor Eve had a tummy upset and held on valiantly until we located a Wendy's at exit 65 in Ohio. The siblings were trying to comfort her and told her she was so brave. Once we pulled in I through the car in park and grabbed her from the back and rushed in. We made it and with that out of the way she chatted and colored in her coloring book for the next couple of states. Before giving her the crayons I had to go over the "No Coloring On Dad's Truck Rule". A few days before she decided to do some modern art using her crayons on the back of Michael's seat. She said the coloring book just kept moving.

We arrived safely this morning. We went to bed about 3:30am. I got up at 9:15am and Michael ran to the grocery store for breakfast fixin's and made the kids french toast. I started the laundry and paid some bills on-line. The kids wanted to go to the library, so Michael loaded them up and instructed me to take another nap and a refreshing shower.

I slept about an hour and when I woke up Rachel was excited to show me a new series of books she found that are based on Colonial Williamsburg. I had Noah read a book from the reading list his teacher sent home at the end of the year. He enjoyed the book and his fluency gets better every time.

We went to my mom's house so the kids could get hugs and kisses, eat Granny's cheese grits, watch cartoons and pick up Jasper. My mother is very good with her "grand ferret". We watched the new season shows for Monk and Psych. The writers of Psych had similar likes and upbring because their one liners are warped. Tonight's episode included a line about Viger and Stephen Collins from Star Trek. It was hilarious. Tim Curry was on the season premiere and he was at his biting best. I love his condescending attitude. It is so tongue in cheek. One of the lines attributed to him in tonight's episode was, "He said we were a curious cocktail of inbreeding and type 2 diabetes!" Crazy hilarious!

:::::::::::::::::Next Week:::::

Is our family reunion at the lake. So I hope to get some scrap booking done about the trip before we leave, but the kids are clamoring for computer time. I also need to get the photos from Michael's computer so I can start. There is also a photo scavenger hunt we are supposed to have ready for the reunion so I need to print the list and keep it with me for photo ops.

:::::::::::::Saturday:::::::::

We plan to see the movie "Ratatouille" it looks fun and the kids were looking forward to seeing the movie with my mom.


I saw these quizzes on Janna's blog and they seemed a perfect quirky fit for me:

$5375.00The Cadaver Calculator - Find out how much your body is worth. From Mingle2 - Free Online Dating

Mingle² - Free Online Dating

49% GeekMingle² - Free Online Dating

I also printed an avatar of myself as if I'm a character from the Simpsons, but I want to create one of the whole family before I post.

Later gators!

On the Road, Again!

...We will be checking out shortly. Yesterday was so super busy and fun! We started off the morning with a tour of the falls on The Maid of the Mist. We left from the New York side. We got on the top deck wearing our souvenir blue parkas. The temperature was 79 degrees farenheit and the man at the park said this was the coolest it had been in about three days of hot and humid weather. The American falls were lovely and the Horseshoe Falls were spectacular. The water was coming down mind-bogglingly fast and was a gemstone green. The power generated by the water movement was amazing!



After The Maid of the Mist we went to take some more photos and get t-shirts for the kids when the storm we had noticed moving in from Canada came in full force. The rain came down hard, so we took refuge in the gift shop. Rachel, Eve, and Noah got Maid of the Mist t-shirts. Aaron decided to wait for shops in Canada.


When the rain let up we went on a different tour called Cave of the Winds.


We got yellow souvenir parkas and disposable shoes. The kids were turned off by the initial smell of the guano created by the hundreds of gulls, but as we walked Rachel noticed these beautifully colored snails on the side of the path. We stopped did some snail rescues and took a few photos. We found out the decking for the tour is rebuilt every year due to the weather conditions. In one place some one had put nails in the shape of a smiley face. The kids favorite spot was Hurricane Deck where you get deluged with a torrents of cold water. I the kids went in repeatedly for photo ops! When we finished the tour we donated our shoes back to the tour, which has signs saying they will use them for foreign missions. Eve was the only one to keep hers.

Then, to the hotel for dry clothes and back out for a trip to...CANADA! We drove into Canada for a three dollar car toll. We parked near the walk in front of the falls. We were all struck by how gorgeous the falls were on the Canadian side and how manicured and lovely the landscape is kept. We took a walk up incline drive and went for lunch at Applebees. Then, a walk through the Galleria where they have a really neat fountain inspired by Nikola Tesla. On the way back down the incline drive we stopped at a little shop underneath the Cascade Inn. Aaron chose a cute shirt with a moose that has Niagara Falls Canada on it and a baseball cap that says Canada. Michael chose a grey shirt with a smiling maple leaf. I chose some chocolate...surprising...NO! Rachel got a really cute fuzzy topped pen with a red maple leaf. Eve looked at me and said she had to go to the bathroom again, so we asked the shop owner where to go. She said go up to the inn and go in..."Say...Hi, Tom!", then go through two doors and it would be on the left". Everything was exactly as she said and Tom was very nice. When we got back down to the store I told her thank you and that Tom was very friendly. She informed me that Tom was her husband and that she had trained him well. I replied that she had indeed!

We took a walk along the Canadian side of the falls and were continuously amazed at the beauty. We left after about 4 hours. The kids and Michael changed clothes and went swimming again. I went to the fitness room and biked for 50 minutes. When we were all done with that the kids took baths and we quickly got ready to drive back to Niagara Falls Park for the fireworks display at 10:00pm. Noah was surprisingly lucid, but wavered at the 9:58pm mark. The fireworks lasted about ten minutes and were very pretty. Eve passed out in Michael's arms on the walk to the car. After a snack from the vending machine teeth were brushed, prayers were said, and we crashed.

We will be driving through Ohio and West Virginia on our way home so the kids can see some other stuff on the way. SO I suppose I will be updating from home next!

Smiles!

Hi from Niagara Falls!

We arrived about 7:00pm. The kids thought the drive down Rainbow Blvd. was cool because you could see the mist from the Falls rising up in the air. We are staying at the Hampton Inn on the New York side of the Falls. There was a young man finishing the room set up when we arrived and he told us the room just got a new air conditioning unit and to let him know if there were any problems. A little later I started washing up some clothes while Michael took the kids to the indoor pool to play. They enjoyed the pool and the adjoining spa. The air conditioning was working, but they had it fixed before we left for dinner.

It was 10:15pm before we got a chance to go out for dinner. We went to the Denny's that is underneath the Days Inn. Several of the young ladies were French Canadians. The kids loved their accent. Everyone was very polite. Noah had his staple diet of chicken nuggets. We were joking with him about being so tired. The viscous fluid in his eyes were that light pink of super sleepy eyes. He kept rubbing his eyes to stay awake. He ate in slow motion. Michael and I looked at him as he ate his last bite of chicken nugget. His eyes were closed...His mouth moved in a chewing motion...He swallowed...and was still. He was ASLEEP! Michael and I burst out laughing! He looked so peaceful. Michael picked Noah up and held him until the other kids were ready to leave.

Rachel loves the beds at the Hampton Inn the best of any of our stays. You get a soft bed, down quilts with a soft cotton duvet and feather pillows. The kids fell asleep right after prayers.

Today we plan to take a ride on The Maid of the Mist and maybe take the Cave of the Winds walk.
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Pictures I couldn't upload earlier:












Smiles from the rested!

Never with the Times:

You have entered Victoria's Time Machine, again! Since I don't scrap chronologically you never know what will pop up. These are layouts I, recently, created for our 2005 vacation:



<sub>Staples from Softly Softly by KSHARONK, Font: DB Michael


Spring Break paper by Dani Mogstad, Alpha Doodles by Kate Hadfield, Cluster Frame by Nancy Comelab, Date Stamp by Amber Clegg, Font: DB Michael</sub>


::::::::::::::::::::Vacation Ideas for 2007:::::::::::

We are hoping to do several things as we take our family North for the first time. Here are some of our beginning ideas:
Monticello (home of Thomas Jefferson)

Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.

We are hoping to stay in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a couple of days to see things such as The Liberty Bell and Indepence Hall. Michael wants us to try "whatta ice", which some people pronounce as Water Ice. This stuff is supposed to be refreshing with bits of fruit. We will also pick up a Philly Cheese Steak, which you simply order as a "Cheese wit" (with onions), or a "Cheese wit out" (no onions).

New York: Central Park, Empire State Building, Ellis Island, The Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, a baseball game at Yankee Stadium.

Then, drive over to Niagara Falls and take a Maid of the Mist tour and go over to Canada.

On the way back go through Amish country.

We are in the early planning stages, so we hope to finalize plans in two weeks.