please update your links!

My new blog will now be on the l-m website - visit us there :D

http://leaving-memories.com/blog/

and now for something completely different

Painting without paint :D

Now I know I did some things wrong, like use the wrong brush to do it all, so then I went over it again with the proper brush lol. That is okay, practice makes perfect right ;) And my hair needs way more practice, apparently so do my left angled strokes, they just don't flow that way for me.

This is a picture of Ashlin and painted using my mouse and photoediting program. It is supposed to look like a painting anyways. I do suppose I need A LOT more practice hey ;) And I am not to sue but I need a lot less USM when I start out.

So here it is, my first (quite obvious hey) painting.



I am pretty sure that any paint artists can reast sure that I will not be encroaching on their means of gain anytime soon.

so just what do you do when you aren't feeling well,

and you are just bored to tears?

You make Webkinz clothes. Ashlin had a friend over and before I know it they had this great plan to make clothes for all the Webkinz. Talk about inventive because they brought me her jammies that were too small and asked if they could cut them up for it. I said no but little did they know I have a secret stash of fabrics for this kinda thing.



Ashlin made a purple felt jacket, and a floral gathered skirt (as seen here). Don't let this one picture fool you, even though they were hand sewing and very intent on what they were doing.

Tomorrow I will see if I can remember to take a picture of her Webkinz poodle all decked out.

reading books...

It has been forever since I just reas a book for myself. Reading books like Walter the Farting Dog doesn't count right.

I started with Creation in Death by JD Robb (really Nora Roberts) I thought it would be like Colony or something sorta light. Nope, it was all about a serial killer and the race to catch him. Sometimes gory, but I still enjoyed it.

Then I just finished The Road By Cormac Mccarthy. Wow. I had to finish it in one sitting, I could not put it down. Now I am tired from staying up to late reading. But it was such a well written, compelling story. I do believe it is story that will stay with me.

I can see why it is on the bestseller list.

Now I need a new book to read, any suggestions??

only because I just can't wait till mid Feb!

You can't tell here since she looks so good, but very soon there will be a new addition in this family. I have no doubts that she will be just as loved and happy as her big brother. (not to mention cute!)



I will have lots more for you to see soon! (I found my card it is Feb 20th) See you then!

a sad sad day for my wallet :(

My dear Ashlin is no longer happy with the dollar store products. She desperately wanted new wax crayons so we went ot the dollar store. She refused to get those kind, sayins she wanted the kind had at school. The ones they have at school don't leave streaks when you color, and they are called Crayola.

Well fine.

So went to the other store and bought some Crayolas. $17.00 dollars later she is now quite the happy and contented coloring wondergirl.



Personally though I think she is right, the dollar store crayons really do suck lol.

childhood fun...

I don't take enough pictures of my kids just playing. But here he is, messy hair, mismatched clothes, holes in the socks and all. Playing with his newfound train set. See what good happens when you put toys away for a while? He loves it again. And honestly I am pretty happy the moonsand is out of sight for a bit, that stuff gets everywhere!



Shooting wide open, just window light - gotta love it!

this about sums her up completely

my apologies if you have seen these pictures of Ashlin before, but really drama queen is pretty accurate today. Who know almost being eight was soooo hard! I was not even going to digi scrap or anything, I was just playing with my new downloads and this feel into place. Now if only I could finish altering all these silly things I have been bringing home to create with.




of course I should really put a few big crocodile tears on her cheeks for today too. Please tell me that boys do not become this dramatic about things like socks being the wrong type, favoutite pants bring in the laundry and having to put dirty plates off the table. I am soooo hoping that my easy going Colton stays that way!!

is it naptime yet?

This has been a bad week for getting anything of substance done. I swear that I have an elephant tied to my ass or something. I am having major issues with this "something" and just wish I could get better! Until I go and get that darned sleep stud done my dr will not consider other options for me. I guess I do understand her point, but the sleep study clinic is darn freaky!!

So if anyone knows a wonder drug for energy, please hook me up! I really need it.

just a little love for you :D

Sweet hey ;)

and here is little Ashlin getting in on the picture taking (with her cuz)



Not so little hey, she is going to be eight years old soon! How does that happen lol I can totally see where she is growing up in her personality and developing her own mind. And it is usually her way or nothing.

She finally lost her first tooth, and I have now learned that the tooth fairy is not allowed to come by until the early morning. Last time it was 1:00 am, and then when she woke up to get a drink she was so excited she was up for hours! ugh so the moral is - next timet he fairy is on the morning shift lol

anyways thanks for popping by my sometimes boring blog...

the look says it all

It is such a good thing he really loves me and is a pretty forgiving kid ;D

new year :)

Yup day two (or three) of the new year and already I have screwed up a few checks by writing 2007! I hate it when I do that lol.

Good think I get a lot of practice hey ;)

I need to buy something cool for beside my front doorway. I have a small spot which would fit a topiary tree or something neat. I am about to go looking on ebay - does anyone have some ideas of funky cool things for me?

the beginning of my photo wall ;D

I need to paint my moulding shelves black and then I will be adding some little trinkets and a few smaller print sin black frames. And then I hope to get a nicer picture of Ashlin and COlton (maybe on Christmas Day because they will be in good moods - they better be lol) and I hope to replace the one of both of them with a 20x24 pic of them. This one of both of them will then be moved over to the far right. Or something like that.



These wall words are so easy to use! I am now trying to think of what other sayings I could get for each kids room.

It has finally stopped snowing :D Nothing like driving around town and sliding around the corners, I guess even new snow tires don't help in some situations.

talk about cute!

doesn't he just look like he was so good all year ;) He was such a fun kid to take pictires of, and he was so patient and good through it all!



And his little sister, I think this totally precious look say sit all!

look who followed Rob and I home...

for a slightly crazy amout IMHO



all I can say is she better be durable because I just know Ashlin will be playing with her a LOT.

She comes in two pieces and that is good because there is no way it was going to fit in my car, in one big piece. Nothing looks quite as freaky as a horse head sitting in the back seat watching you drive though!

Rob and I have both agreed we are not buying either kid one more gift, they are getting way to many now as it is. BUt between you and me, I can not wait for Christmas morning!

the Christmas Dress

ok so well it isn't really screaming Christmas is it, but Ashlin said it was one she would wear.....

usually she will not, for any reason, wear a dress as soon as fall hits. I can buy her leggings or long dresses - nothing works. It is pants from October till June for this girl. So when she said she would wear this I was so happy, even if it isn't a big poufy girly Christmas dress.

we had a few minutes before we had to leave for her choir concert, so I ran her downstairs and took a few quick snaps.

sitting pretty hey ;)


outakes:

(please be done soon momma)


(my tooth is sooo loose - see)


(trying to be serious)

and a new fav! Don't be surprised to see this in a big 20x24 or bigger lol print on wall sometime soon!

to the patch - revisited

warning LOTS of pics coming up :D I just realized that I was so busy doing sessions for other people that I comp0letely forgot to finish off our pumpkin patch photo post. So here they are. These were taken around mid October. Both kids have since had hiarcuts lol.















I do have a few to share but I think I will restrain myself ;)

and now - starring Colton!

yes he is often left out, determined to do his own thing lol. Today though he was all for this idea. I am sure his getting to have a long shaower/bubble bath combo was a huge incentive lol. Anyways I spent the time setting up, and he spent the time cleaning up, then doing his own hair, and then we set out to do this idea.

It went great until he opened the very first book to 'read' it. Next thing I know he had a PAPERCUT! So then we have bleeding, and lots of tears in eyes. So we deal with that - bandaids and kisses really are magic ;D But then he doesn't want to open the books anymore lol. Finally he agreed that board boards are to thick to cut and we carried on....



We moved around a ton of stuff in Ashlins room to make room for this quick little shoot, and used natural lighting (sweet hey ;) ) and in case you could not tell, I am ALL abou t color right now :D The more the better!

a little bit of sunshine for you today..

as I sit here watching the snow fall I was looking for a bright spot - found her! just a pic from the summer..





gotta love that sweet summer light, she looks so sweet doesn't she :D Although as you can see she was out in the sun just a bit toooo long. I need to remember to reapply sunscreen even MORE often!

seriously cute!

Look at this little fellow, don't you just melt at those eyes!



He was just waking up when I got there, and I was a bit worried cause I know when Ashlin is just waking up there is NO way you can even talk to her for quite a while. But this little guy, he was wonderful!

And here is one of my favs from the session, he is sjust so intent and you can just feel how much he adores his daddy!


and isn't this a perfect little family :D



It was a pleasue meeting you all!