Summer Photos

I have been bugged, and bugged, and bugged to get my summer photos up. Well, since it's the end of summer I guess I'd better (or else Kimmie will send her evil twin after me - LOL)! As you can see from my previous post we did a lot of fun stuff this summer. These are just some of my favorite pics and activities:

The kids with my mom.

Bocce ball on the beach. Uncle Jim and I crushed the competition.







A rare shot of me at the pool.








Nick at the Baltimore Aquarium.










Boogie boarding and Mermaids by the sea.













Go Karts and Monopoly.








Fun with friends on Memorial Day Weekend.

My Summer List

This is for a challenge from Heather over at YMBD. Summer flew by for us and is winding down way too soon. The kids are back in school, but the pool is still open and the weather is still warm, so as far as I'm concerned Fall can just wait a while. I'm so not ready. Our summer was jam packed with activities and here are just a few:

* Trip with DH to Vegas
* Family vacation at Nags Head
* Visit with friends in Ocean City, NJ
* Bocce ball tournaments
* Loads and loads of time in the pool
* BBQ's with all of our friends and family
* Mini-golf
* Go-Karts
* Bumper Cars
* Top Golf (Nick and Maria are getting really good)
* I still managed lots of scrap time
* A visit from my brother who lives in Denver
* GASC Chantilly

So tell me, what did YOU do this summer?

I've been Tagged!

Corey got me, so watch out, I'm about to tag back. Thanks Corey!
If you are tagged, you must first post the rules, so here they are:
* Write 7 strange characteristics about yourself. They interest us all!
* Tag 6 other people at the end of your Post.
* Visit everyone that you have tagged and leave a comment on their blog to let them know that they have been tagged.
So here are my seven strange characteristics:
1. I am addicted to cookies. Seriously, I could eat a whole bag at one sitting.
2. I hate to clean, but don't mind doing laundry.
3. I hate wearing makeup, but don't like the way I look without it.
4. I'm always reminding the kids to take their vitamins but can't remember to take my own.
5. I always have to squeeze the toothpast from the bottom of the tube and roll it up.
6. I'm always losing my glasses and I can't see without them. DD always has to find them for me!
7. I get after the kids to eat more fruit, but can't seem to make myself eat more.
I'm going to tag:

Julie -http://joverby.blogspot.com/
Rita - http://onmyway-journeytoheaven.blogspot.com/
Mel - http://mel-melplace.blogspot.com/
Nic - http://npealer.blogspot.com/
Megan - http://scrappin-daisy.blogspot.com/
Amber - http://wwwjustscraps.blogspot.com/

My Favorite Things

This week since we've been back from vacation has flown by. I haven't even had a chance to post some of our vacation pics yet. But I promise I will.

Just wanted to remind you that the DT at Scrapbook Playground has posted their second round of inspiration for My Favorite Things stamps. I totally adore the little beach set and actually printed some pics from our vacation for this LO. Nick loves to boogie board. I think if he had a choice he'd spend his entire time in the water with the waves. LOL Take a few minutes and come check out the gallery.

Finally!

Our vacation has come. We left at o'dark early Saturday morning and made great time to NC. Only 5 hours with a gratuitous stop at Starbucks. I'm not sure who was more excited by this stop - me or the kids. If DH didn't have to stop he wouldn't. He orders regular coffee at Starbucks. Maria loves her iced vanilla latte and Nick is my hot chocolate boy - no matter what time of the year it is. I have to have my Chai latte.

We spent some great time on the beach until we could get into the house. Yesterday was a gorgeous day right up until the thunderstorm hit, but by then we had headed off the beach, taken a dip in the pool and were inside cleaning up and getting ready to have some lunch.

We spent time last night watching the Olympics. How about Men's swimming relay team? Was that not spectacular?! We loved that finish. We watched a bit of the women's gymnastics heats. I'm always amazed at the routines on the balance beam - 4 inches - can you imagine the concentration they need for that.

DH is golfing this morning, so me and the kids will head out to do a little shopping and then hit the beach this afternoon. Hope you all have a terrific day.

My Favorite Things (Stamps)

My Favorite Things is this month's sponsor at Scrapbook Playground. They have the cutest little sets that are great for card making and can be very adaptable to your LOs. Come check out the work in the Design Team Gallery for My Favorite Things Remember to check back again on the 20th for our newest creations.

This LO was created using the snowman stamp set. Kimmie sent me images from the stamp set she received and then I enlarged them on my printer/copier. Then I placed a transparency over the top and traced it with Dimensional Fabric Paint from Plaid. I love the effect.

Contest at Scrapbook Playground

For August we want to see your layout using stamps in a creative way - so dust off those old stamps you have stored away and have some fun with them!!!!

NOW - for the RULES!!!!! lol

*8.5x11 or 12x12 layouts only - no mini's, no cards.

*one entry per person

*you can not win back to back challenges - but don't let that stop you from entering because we love to see what everyone can create!

*you have until 8-31-08 to get your entries in the correct gallery http://scrapbookplayground.com/pp331/showgallery.php?cat=994

*all work must be yours - no scraplifts or sketches, please ask if you have any questions - visit the Contest Forum over at the playground!

This is what you can win:

On a roll!!

This has been a great week. I won a contest at Unpubbed Blogspot and they made me their famer for the week. How cool is that. Here's a link:

http://www.unpubbed.blogspot.com/

Today I won a DT Challenge at YMBD (Your Memories By Design). This is a great site and you should come on over and check it out. The ladies are super friendly and they will be having an online crop in September that sounds fabulous. Here's a link:

http://yourmemoriesbydesign.ca/phpBB2/index.php