3x3 Birthday

This is a real quick little 3x3 card that I made for my church group swap. The Designer Paper is actually from the Ski Slope package in the Holiday Mini Catalog. Yes - it's Christmas paper, but as you can see, it can easily double as other things. Most of the patterns in that package can do the same type of thing. The stamps I used are from the Voila stamp set. I don't have a tons of sets right now. I really need to re-stock, but Richard isn't going for the idea, so I had to get creative. If you don't know what the Voila set is, it is the "chef" set! It's all coming together for you if you're a stamper now, right?!?

I actually started on my Christmas cards yesterday during General Conference! That is a first for me (doing them this early, I mean). Last year I didn't even do any. That is also a first, since I became a stamper 14 years ago. I felt awful about it, and have gotten several lectures from people who usually receive them, but my body just couldn't do them. I figured if I start now, I'll be able to handle it!

Woollybear Festival

Today was the Woollybear Festival in our town. I guess it draws the biggest crowd in the state. It definitely isn't my favorite event of the year, but we always end up going, since the kids have to march with the band. I always have to wonder why they have to do it on a Sunday. That drives me crazy! We had great weather today. Last year was H-O-T!

This is Kyle waiting for the M.C. to show up so they can do the Star Spangled Banner. He is usually late each year, however this year he was right on the dot. He is a local weatherman. I'm not a fan, but apparently a lot of people are!

This is a shot of the band marching in. They do such a great job. I love hearing and seeing them!

Kyle is the one to the right of the tuba.

This is Zach's first year marching. Here you see the middle school kids. They are kind of squished together!

Zach is a little blurry. Oops! This is his first year doing percussion. He started on saxophone last year, but is liking this much better. His shoulders really hurt by the time he was done though! EDIT: 10-6-08 This morning Zach has bruises on this thighs from the snare!

Cody was on "official police business" with his police explorer group for the day. However, each time we saw him, there seemed to be nothing official or police-like about it. Hmmm.
- - - - - - - - - -

As Brandon and I were walking around trying to be everywhere we needed to be this afternoon, we were talking about last year's festival. It was very different because nearly my whole family was here visiting for Brandon's baptism the day before. I can't believe it has been a year since they were here! That was such a fun time. I hope they'll be able to come out again, but I know how hard that is with soooo many little ones. We'll be here when you're ready......or any other family that would like to visit for that matter! ;)

Fox News

If you're up early, turn on Fox News and you may see Kyle playing his saxophone with the marching band!

Another Busy Day

I think I could title just about every post in the same way! This morning Brandon and I made Peanut Butter Bars before he left for school in preparation for tonight's activity (more later).

Today it was our ward's turn to do the luncheon for the missionary's zone conference over in Westlake. I always enjoy getting to help out with that. One of the ladies in our ward always plans the meal and does all or the majority of the cooking. She does such a good job at it. I hope I never lose her! She had several of us make cookies for their dessert, but she made yummy beef stew and rolls, then had applesauce for them. The missionaries are always so appreciative. It is such a fun afternoon.

After that, I fought to stay awake driving home, took a quick nap and started getting ready for Richard to have the Young Men and Young Women (ages 12-18) from church over tonight for a BBQ and bonfire. I ran Brandon to soccer practice, ran home, got a few more things ready, ran back to get him, ran home, got everything else set up, just in time for everyone to arrive. We had a fun evening with around 25 people here. The rain stopped long enough for us to enjoy the entire activity. It was just great! We can't believe our big huge pile of branches would even light with all of the rain we've been getting, but it went up just fine. It was kind of a cool evening, so the fire felt awesome. Yes - I should've taken some pictures, but of course they'd still be sitting in the camera!

We've had lots of changes in our ward presidencies lately and even our bishopric a couple of weeks ago. It is exciting to have so many new things going on at once. I've served as the Relief Society President (for the women in our ward) for a little over 2 1/2 years now. I'm so excited about my new counselors and my secretary who has stayed on. They have been just wonderful and I'm so grateful for them.

Hmmm....

40.

Upsy Daisy Kiwi

I wasn't sure if I should even post this card, because the scan just isn't near as pretty as it is in person. Since I haven't done anything else new this week though, I decided to put it up for you. This is the card I had everyone make at Judy's workshop last night. These ladies are so fun to get together with. I always look forward to seeing them. They get excited about everything. We inked up the flowers in Kiwi Kiss and then took the Always Artichoke marker and ran it along the tops of each flower for some added color. After showing this ribbon, the Striped In Color Ribbon Club immediately filled and I was able to get it ordered last night. Now we can fill up another one. Are you interested?

I demonstrated the Big Shot for the first time! (I told you I'd break down and get it.) I need some practice at putting the baskets together, but I really like them. They'll make the neatest favors for showers, teachers, classrooms, whatever!

Mr. Twigster

My downline card swap was due Monday. This is what I finally came up with for it. I wish I had more time to stamp! This cute stamp set will be in the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog, which comes out on October 1st and runs through January 18th. The cute new Designer Paper I've used is also in there. It is called Frosty Day. The striped ribbon is awesome. I do have a ribbon club available for it. It is available in all of the "In Colors" for this year. Let me know if you are interested. Don't worry! I didn't stamp each of those little letters. I ran the paper through the printer and used a Stampin' Up! font to print the saying.

We may end up using this set at the class on October 14th. If you'd like to come, be sure and RSVP by the 5th. Details are on the right sidebar! If you have questions, email me.