LOAD Challenge

Looking at my title for this post, I think it could come off as a laundry challenge. Well, eventhough I could use a good laundry challenge to get caught up and stay that way, that is not what "LOAD" means. It stands for "Layout a Day" challenge, and this is my first time participating in such a challenge. I have signed up for Lain Ehmann's LOAD challenge for October, and I know I am crazy to think that I can get 31 layouts completed in 31 days!! I am going to try! There is also a great Flickr group that you get to post your layouts to as well as a discussion board. I am just ready to be inspired and get back to scrapping on a regular basis. I have missed it. Below you can find my first layout.

This is Graedon at Cocoa Beach this past June. I walked down to the beach and found him in my niece's ball cap just playing in the water. He didn't have a care in the world.

Puppy Chow recipe

I just made this for Gabe's Fall Festival to be used in the bake sale, and it was a huge hit with the kiddos. My boys love it, and I do as well. I was first introduced to it by my scrappy friend Ashley! So, you will find her recipe that I use below. If you've never tried it, you are missing out. Give it a try!

Puppy Chow Recipe:

I'm not sure exactly how much rice chex I use...but it's usually about the whole box...you can start wil 3/4 box, and... if you feel like you need more then just add more:)

Rice Chex

1 cup. peanut butter

1 stick butter

1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Vanilla (again, not sure how much I use...but I think around a Tbsp.)

Powdered Sugar

Pour rice chex in big bowl...melt PB, butter, and CC in separate bowl in microwave till completely melted...then add vanilla...coat over chex....I usually pour the chex into a bag and then pour the powdered sugar on until completely coated...I pour a little at a time, then shake until it's all coated. YUMMY!!:) Boy, now I want to make this!!;)

Paper Popsicles Blog Stomp

If you're looking for some great scrappy techniques, info, sketches, layout ideas, etc., then you MUST check out Paper Popsicles. Head on over on October 10th for their Creepy Crawly Blog Stomp!

Just a glimpse

Here is just a glimpse into some of our Disney fun we had last week. I am ready to go back already! There is just something about Disney magic that makes you a kid at heart, and makes you want more. I loved our trip, and I am looking forward to more family trips to come!

Just found a great site for all of you scrappy lovers out there! Check it out!

The Happiest Place on Earth

We are once again heading to Disney World, but this time it is just the 4 of us for 6 days to celebrate the boys' birthdays! Free dining, staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Magical Express.....the works! I think I am more excited than the boys are. See ya real soon!

Diaper Cake

Over the weekend my mom and I made a diaper cake for our cousin's baby shower. We weren't able to attend the shower due to my niece's birthday, but we heard that it is now the centerpiece on her dining room table. I had so much fun making this, and I am hoping to make another one next spring for my sister-in-law's shower. Have you ever made a diaper cake?

Dentist Visit

Gabe had his very first dentist visit. (Insert bad mommy award here). He did great, and I loved the office that we took him to. They were great with him, and he only had 2 cavities, and they were due to his enamel not forming correctly on his molars. The dentist said he happened before he even turned 18 months old, and that we wouldn't have been able to avoid the cavities. So that made me feel a bit better.

It is just crazy how time is just flying right now. We are now filling our schedules with dr. and dentist appointments, PTO meetings, parent volunteer days, etc. It is just crazy how once school has started, everything is in overdrive. No matter how busy we have been or are going to get, I am loving every moment!

1st Day of Kindergarten

He just turned 6, and now he is off to start his school career. Time is just passing by way too fast. I didn't break down and cry, but it is sad to think his days of being home with me all day everyday are over. He's the reason I became a stay-at-home mommy. I love this little man so much!! I am so proud that he was excited to start school, and I am even more enthused to see him grow into a young man. I love you Gabe!!

A Buccaneer Bash

We celebrated Gabe turning 6 over the weekend with a pirate themed birthday party. It was a very busy weekend, but it was a lot of fun. Below are some photos of the party.

Gabe's Buccaneer Bash invitation.

My lovely cake making skills. Not the best it could've been, but he loved it!

He was ready to get the party started!

The treasure chest to hold presents.

Make a wish bud...I cannot believe you are six years old already!

The pirate ship!

Gabe also requested chocolated cupcakes. You canot deny him some birthday cupcakes.

All the pirates before the treaure hunt began.

Ready a treasure hunt clue.

Looking for the next clue.

Taking a quick sail on the ship.