Layouts galore....

Lydia's imagination

So Lydia built a pretty elaborate fort/clubhouse today. It came complete with a garage and a bomb shelter.

Honestly!! The way this kid's mind works is ASTOUNDING!

Disclaimer: Photo does not go with the post. This fort was built inside with blankets and chairs stacked precariously in various parts of the living room.

Hiking with Daddy

David took the girls on an outing - daddy style!

Hiking, of course!!

The girls explored, checked out bugs, and found bird feathers.

They even made their own see-saw.

They thought this was very fun. (I don't really want to know how high up this is... I'm trusting that it's actually low to the ground and just looks kinda high...)

My husband is so much fun!!

David and I found a way to chat with each other while we're apart.

Only David found a way to make it more fun.

He created an avatar of himself.

I think his avatar is just so cute! (Of course, I'm sure he would prefer I say that he's totally cool and not cute.)

But I do think it's cute with his little black shirt (because that's David's favorite color...) and his little belt buckle and cool shoes and jeans. His blue eyes, cool hair, little soul patch - and even a Guinness. Ha ha!!

See? Mine is much more simple. But fun, just the same.

David's discovered a cool backdrop for his. Of course, it's London. Can't be a boring spot or anything.

AND, he's discovered that these avatars react to what we type. If you type LOL (for laugh out loud), the avatar will smile a cheesy grin. If you type I LOVE YOU, then it will be covered in kisses. Very fun!

And we're goofing around with all of this...finding funny and creative ways of communicating and telling each other that we love each other...14 years to the day that David asked me to be his wife.

Yes, it's our engagementversary. Ha ha!!

Have a good July 23rd everyone!! (It's been a good day for me!!!)

Amber and Jasmine's birthday party

Last Friday, Rebekah and Lydia went to Amber and Jasmine's 8th birthday party.

It was a Hawaiian theme and the girls had a blast.

First they decorated flip flops.

And made crafts/ate snacks.

Then it was time for a sack race. (They were in teams of two.)

Bekah's a little sad here... she was in last place. (I guess she got my lack-of-speed genes!!)

We had to get the dads/uncle in on the sack race as well.

Then it was time for the tug of war. Bekah's side won first.

Then Lydia's.

Then it was men verses kids (which I videoed...and may upload a little later). (The men won.)

Then women verses kids. (The kids won.)

Then it was time for volcano cupcakes.

Amber and Jasmine wanted "Happy Birthday" sung to them separately...so here's Jasmine...

and Amber...

And then it was time for gifts.

Blast from the Past

Jack just sent me these old photos he stumbled across. Made me laugh.


These are from right after Lydia was born.

Look at Bekah. She's so tiny, hanging out in her Veggie Tales room.

And...oh, the things Bekah used to do to Lydia in that swing!! I distinctly remember walking in to find a pretzel sticking out of Lydia's mouth like a cigar.

(Bekah said she looked hungry.)

And Lydia never did feel really comfortable with Bekah holding her. Ha ha!!

So my blog is getting really boring....

I really need to get more on top of things, I think!!

All I'm doing is posting scrapbook layouts.

I have photos, I promise! It's just getting them uploaded that's the problem.

Will try to be more on top of things in the future...to all two of you that read this blog. Haha!!

More layouts - click to view them larger.

So, I was at Michael W Smith's house last night...

...'Cause, you know, I've got connections like that.

No, seriously...I was just at Mary's baby shower. I don't really have connections. Ha ha!!

I mean, it was at MWS's house, but it was hosted by his lovely wife, Debbie, who is a dear friend of Mary's. *grin*

So anyway, the shower was incredible. Mary got lots of diapers (it was a diaper shower) and other fun baby goodies.

Here's Mary with Molly. You can see the little diapers that spell out "Jonas" behind her.

Here's a better pic.

They are naming the baby Jonas Wilder Collins.

The decorations for the shower were so cute and beautiful...

...as was the rest of the house. (It was an absolutely gorgeous house!)

After everyone arrived and had munched on all the goodies...

...it was time to move into the kitchen and work on a little project for Mary.

Every guest made a bib or a onesie for the baby.

They had paint pens and fabric paint and stencils on hand.

And then the finished products were hung up on the line to dry. Too cute!!

And finally everyone prayed over Mary and she started opening gifts.
.
And.
.
Then.
.
The power went out.
.
Yup.
.
Pitch.
.
Black.
.
Sooooo...Mary opened the rest of her presents by candlelight and a flashlight. It was hilarious. Everyone pulled out their cell phones to add some light to the room.

I was able to get a couple of pics with the flash...then it went straight back to dark!

Michael arrived shortly after the power went out and announced he'd opened the electric gate so everyone could get their cars out.

It was a good night and Mary got lots of cute things...and oh! Here's my gift. I wrapped the diapers in the blanket I made! *grin*

And I'll leave you with this pic of Molly giving a thumbs up. She was entertaining the crowd in the dark by candlelight. =)