O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas around my house. I have been in a decorating frenzy! This past weekend we went to pick out our tree - a beautiful Frazier Fur - and it is now lovingly decorated in the middle of our Front Room. The boys are so excited because this means it's time for the Christmas Squirrel to start arriving to leave his nightly candy cane. (For those of you that have NO idea what I'm talking about, I'll save the story for a later blog entry, so stay tuned! ;) And I have to admit, I'm pretty excited too. I love the lights and decorations of the holidays and making things pretty and all aglow. Our tree (which is only 7' tall) has over 1000 lights on it. My friends make fun of me, but it keeps me happy, so my husband keeps letting me! I have a collection of snowflake ornaments that I love that take center stage on my tree (see below) and the many lights really make them twinkle!

I also managed to finally get Wreaths with beautiful red bows on each of the front windows and doors and a candle lights each one - so pretty at night with the yard lights on as well! I think I've finally convinced myself that I'm done with the decor, at least for now. Now it's time to concentrate on finishing the shopping. I'm much farther along this year that in years past, so that's a good thing. I might actually be on top of things this year!

Tonight is the CubScout Christmas party. Santa is supposed to be there so it'll be interesting to see if Ethan will go sit in his lap. He never has before (except once in his life) and I'm wondering if peer pressure will get to him this year and he caves. If I manage to get a shot of them together, I'll post the proof here - and you'll be the first to know!

Oh, and before I forget, yesterday's Turner Funny:
The Scene: All three boys are at the breakfast table eating muffins (or supposedly)
Turner gets up to sneak to the tree to do some snooping.
Ethan: MAMA/DADDY, Turner's not eating.
(pounding of feet as Turner runs back to the table)
T: (shouting) I is too!
Me: Turner, sit down and eat your breakfast before it gets cold!
T (under his breath to Ethan when he thinks no one is listening): You HAPPY??!

sigh. He's a hoot, that one!
(Christmas Squirrel post to come tomorrow! ;))

Who Knew??

That Santa wore sunglasses and rode on a firetruck?? Tell me, really...did you?!

Yesterday was the annual Christmas Parade in my little town and for the first time, we got to be a part of it! Ethan's CubScout Pack (#269) made a float and got to ride in the Parade. The kids were so excited. They had bags and bags of candy that they were to pass out to the spectators along the parade route (down Main Street, of course! ;)) and they were giddy! (Couldn't possibly have been from the candy high THEY were on or anything!) It was such a beautiful day - sunny and crisp, but not overly cold - and it went off without a hitch. The boys even won First Prize for a civic float! Talk about proud!

I was amazed at how "big" the parade was given the size of our town, but they really went all out. We had the Shelby County Marching band (who totally rocked), an awesome colorguard, fire trucks and police cars galore, along with antique cars, floats and horse and riders. Such fun and so colorful! There were so many neat pics to share that I put them all in a slide show to watch - have fun. It's almost like you were there! :D

HA!

Anyone who knows me well knows that my middle son, Turner, has sleep issues. He just doesn't need much, much to his mama's chagrin. We have tried everything we can think of to encourage his sleeping, and trust me when I say we're not above bribery!

So the following conversation takes place at the lunch table today:

Dh: Ok, guys. We're having cookies for snack when you get up from your naps. Anyone who takes the LONGEST nap, will get three cookies, everyone else will just get two.
T: I'll take two!
Dh: You're not even going to try for the three, Turner?
T: No. I just want two.

*sigh* So much for bribery!

My reasons to be Thankful....

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone :)

NEW BasicGrey BLUSH Card Kit!!!

Ok, I'm bursting at the seams to share this news with you all!! BasicGrey is going to introduce their first ever all-inclusive card kit to coincide with the release of the yummy BLUSH line!!

What makes it even MORE exciting for me is that four out of the seven cards in the kit are designed by me, including my handwriting as a rub-on so that you don't have to use your own if you don't want to! :D You get 7 cards in this kit along with the cardstock, chipboard, rub-ons, diecuts, flax, etc. that you need to duplicate exactly the cards shown!! I'm over the moon about this!

These photos show the new ad that is going to be released in some major scrapbooking magazines, along withwhat the kit looks packaged and the finished cards!! I hope you enjoy making them (and sending them!) as much as I did!

It's out! The CK Idea Annual!

Wheeee!!! It's now out and boy, does it rock!!! I'm still anxiously awaiting my copy, but I managed to peek at a copy at my LSS the other day and I was in awe. Creating Keepsakes has put out an idea book that is for everyday scrappers - 2 page layouts, 4x6 photos and TONS of color and great design! It's amazing. And I have to give a special shout out to Ms. Greta Hammond - that's her sweet little cutie on the cover! You go, Greta! If you cant' find this book at a store near you, you can get you one here, directly from the CK website (just click on the cover image to get there!)


I'm especially excited that one of my favorite layouts is in this book - it is a super fun one of Ethan learning to be a goalie in soccer. It's a riot to watch little ones learn to play their positions. Ethan was less than excited to have to stay away from the action in that big net. That is until a ball finally came his way and then he jumped (uh, kicked?) into action! ;) So check it out today! You won't be disappointed!

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly...

(Ahhh, AnnMarie - this one's for you, babe ;))

Ok for the Ugly (Always start with the bad first I always say...) - Wow, what a weekend it's been for us around here. Oh, yes, you can tell it's fall and the weather is changing because that means the sickies are back. I hate sickies. I especially hate sickies when they wake my baby up at 10 o'clock at night with a 103.7 fever that I can't break. So off to the ER we went. Poor little man had to have two doses of temp-reducing meds, blood work, chest x-ray, a rectal temp, an exam by some man he didn't know (who, thanfully, was wonderful with him), and then a HUGE shot in his hip...all thanks to a bout of pneumonia and a massive ear infection. My heart was just crushed. Thankfully the shot perked him up a bit and by the time we got home in the early hours of the morning, he was able to get some sleep. I tell you it's hard being a mama sometimes....and well, even harder being the sick little boy.

The Bad was that because of the sickies, we missed out on all kinds of fun stuff here in town. They had a Light UP Shelbyville! celebration and Boy Scout activity that we had to miss out on among other things. The kids were bummed and so was I. I absolutely adore walking up and down the streets of our little town and window shopping at all the quaint stores and antique shoppes. It's even more fun to do it by the twinkle of the holiday lights. (But I have to admit it was a little UGLY that they're already lighting up the town - it's not even THANKSGIVING for pete's sake....but I digress here...)

The Good is that I am working with Rachel, the creative force behind and owner of BasicGrey, to design a class to teach in SOUTH AFRICA!!!! SOUTH AFRICA of all places!!! How amazingly cool! I know they have a huge scrapbooking contingency down there and a bunch of excited and talented scrapbookers. That rocks! Even more amazing??? It's for a CRUISE and she wants me to go along as her TA! WHeeeee! What a year next year is going to be with all that traveling!! I'm still trying to work out the details, but I sure hope to see you gals in South Africa in March! To celebrate, here's a layout that was sent out as a retailer class kit for November. I hope you like and Happy Scrapping!

It's never to early...

If you're from Kentucky, there's an unwritten rule you know instinctively growing up: You MUST learn to play sports. To say Kentuckians are sports fanatics is a gigantic understatement! It's a toss up on the sport you choose, but there are really only 2 options - basketball or football. It's as simple as that. And well, since of all my sweet boys, only Turner was blessed with any kind of real height (darn genetics!), a stellar career in basketball is probably out for them. So that leaves us with football....

And as every good dad can tell you, it's NEVER too early to learn the game. So this past weekend, we took the boys out to the park to enjoy one of the few pretty days we've had lately. Ethan brought along his football and he and Daddy were practicing. But while there, he found another football - this time a teeny one - just perfect for Carson. And boy has that kid latched on. He hasn't put down that ball since we handed it to him. (You're starting to see where this is going, aren't you?!)

So Daddy started showing Carson how to hold the ball and throw. And he did so well! I love how he looked so at ease with it - I mean, he's only three! He learned to hold the ball, he even learned to throw the ball...







Uh, but what he hasnt' quite mastered yet is CATCHING the ball....

Ah, well....there's still plenty of time left, right? ;)

Ok, so a little late, but....

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!! WOW! Finally Blogger is letting me post these photos I've had taken for DAYS now. Ok, so it's a little after the fact, but you'll have to forgive me! I can't help but share these silly pics of the boys! Hope everyone had a safe and happy one!!
We went to our annual party at the Preher's (pics from that coming later! ;)). It was drizzly but the boys were rarin' to go. They ended up being out for a good hour and a 1/2 at least and we made it back with HUGE sacks full of candy. They were excited to say the least and even with the chili and hotdog supper, they were on a supreme sugar high by the time we got home! All in all it was a wonderful time and if anyone is in need of candy, lemme know!

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!

CONGRATS TO DEBBIE McCAFFREY for winning the fabulous cherryArte goodies that I've been giving away!! I assigned everyone who entered a number and then drew a number from a hat and just so you know, Debbie - your lucky number was 25!!! YAY YOU!!! Your prize will be on it's way shortly once you email me with your mailing address!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Halloween! The boys had a ball - we went to our annual party at the Preher's - but right now Blogger is being a pain about allowing me to post pictures, so please bear with me! They'll be here soon! :D

Only 12 More Days Left!!!

To get in your submissions to my cherryArte giveaway!!! Contest ends October 31st! All you have to do is submit a layout to me at kelly.goree@gmail.com using mostly cherryArte products and you're entered to win. Only one entry per person and US gals only (for international contest, please check out the blogs of some of the other DT members for giveaways in Australia, the Netherlands, Canada....)

Come on, girls! It's all the latest goodies and trust me when I say it's amazing! I've received some awesome entries so far and am looking forward to announcing the winner....hmmm....let's see.....how 'bout on my birthday?? I love giving presents on my birthday. (That's the 2nd for those curious ;)) So to inspire you, here's my latest layout using the Classic Coffee line, chipboard alphas and rubons!

Good luck!

NEW BASICGREY!!!! Blush and Dasher!

Good morning everyone!!! I thought I'd post a quick peak at two of BasicGrey's four new lines (yes, I said FOUR!!!) debuting at Memory Trends today!! They are so yummy and I know you'll love them as much as I do! :D

The first is Blush - a Valentine's inspired line - that is to die for! The colors are so rich and yummy!!


And the next is Dasher - an add-on line to Blitzen - but adding the color pink and making it such a fun line!

Happy Shopping! :D And thank you for checking it out!!!

cherryArte GIVEAWAY!!!!

Ok, girls! What you've all be waiting for - my fun, fantastic, fabulous cherryArte give away! We are giving away (the design team thanks to Lu, Ms. cherryArte herself ;)) the entire new releases of cherryArte to some lucky winners!! This includes the new stamps, papers, chipboard, the works!!!

And all you have to do to win is submit your favorite cherryArte layout to me at kelly.goree@gmail.com and I will randomly pick a winner at the end of the month from all the entries. Please, only one entry per person and for US residents only (the other CA girls - from Canada, Australia, Netherlands and so forth will have contests open for those located there :)). I can't wait to see your work! :)

It's Memory Trends Time!!

Which means I've been working hard preparing booth samples for some amazing companies! Today I'd love to share some I did for Queen & Company. Queen & Co. has the most amazing embellishments - from beads to rockin' brads, photo turns to sequins - and at CHA this summer they added their newest edition - fontastics, which are a chipboard alphabet. They are amazing and such fun to work with.

This first layout (whooosh) is using the HOTTIE line, the second layout (frightful) features one of the lines debuting at Memory Trends called WINTER. I hope those that go to the show check them out and place a huge order and those that shop, buy them all up ;)! They rock! Have a great day and again, stay tuned for my cherryArte giveaway coming up on Friday (along with a new layout featuring one of their new lines then too! :))

Coming or Going??

Sheesh! I don't even think I know! It's been a crazy mad-house around here lately and I haven't quite figured it out yet!

Last weekend we spent down in Nashville at my sister-in-law's house. We had a great time seeing everyone - from aunts and uncles to cousins and Mimi. They were beside themselves. I hardly think they stopped all weekend....which was good and bad. They tired themselves out completely but almost too much. Poor Ethan ended up with a stomach bug on Sunday night right before we were to come home and was up all night with that. Thank goodness no one else got it and we seem to be settling back into the routine of being home....

Well, sorta a routine.....my mother-in-law (Mimi) came up for the week to see the boys, so it's been a little crazy, but great. The boys love spending time with her and it doesn't happen enough, so they are delighted. And it's been a great help to me with all the Memory Trends deadlines I have this week. They're going to be sad to see her going tomorrow, but we're hoping to have a big send of with a Balloon Race first thing in the morning. The one they hold for the Derby every year was cancelled this year due to weather, so they have been dying to go since then. (And hopefully I'll have some great photos to share too :))

And before I forget, HUGEEEEEEE thank you to my awesometastic friend from downunder for her copious amounts of chocolate that showed up on my doorstep first thing this morning! It couldn't have come at a better time!! You rock!

Hope everyone is having a great day and stay tuned to my blog....there's another big give-away coming up in the next little bit - this time all new cherryArte!!! - and you'll want to get on this one! Wheee!!!

My Big Boy & His Bike!

Waaahooooo!!! My Ethan is now riding his two-wheeler bike all on his own!!!! What a big day here at our house!!! (That and he's gotten 4 good conduct marks in a row at school....yes, it seems he had developed his mama's habit of talking too much! *sigh* ;))

Here he is....look out, road!!

GGG!!!

It's official!!! I can finally spill my good news!! I have been chosen to be the Guest Garden Girl (GGG) at TwoPeas for the month of September!! I am so stinkin' excited and beyond thrilled that Kristina asked me to be a part! I hope you'll take a minute and check it out here!

Sorry to be MIA!!

So sorry to be MIA lately, everyone!! Our internet has been down and I've been under the gun with deadlines! I hope you'll understand and check back soon for my news ;)

Happy Day!!

It's been a great day around here!

• The weather is just showing a hint of fall (my FAVORITE season) and is so sunny and beautiful.
• The boys are back in school and Carson went without crying at all for the first time!!
• Carson was the "Line Leader" at preschool and was so incredibly proud of it!
• I got some FAB scrapbooking-related news!
• We're grilling out for dinner tonight - YUM!
• Tonight Rockstar Supernova AND House is on and I get to scrap!! Whee!

Yep, it's been a very good day!

~~Rollin' on the River~~

*do do doo doo do do doo doo* (You're singing with me now, aren't you?)

Yep, yesterday we were rollin' on the river - the Ohio River that is. :) Every summer, my family gets invited for a day out on my uncle's houseboat and yesterday was our day. We absolutely love it and the boys look forward to it all year long. We ususally meet up early afternoon, cruise along the river and then dock at one of the islands in between Kentucky and Indiana to cook out, play on the "beach" and explore.
It turned out to be unseasonably chilly this year, but we still were able to do most our usual activities with the exception of playing in the water and we got to do some new things too! Ethan learned how to tie a knot to help secure the boat when we docked, Carson got his first lesson in captaining (boy, am I going to have to watch out for this kid - he loves anything with a steering wheel!), and Turner kept busy with either of the two dogs my uncle had on board as they would let him! ;) We had a wonderful day, an amazing lunch and really enjoyed the fact that it wasn't as hot as normal for a change!












And as usual, it wouldn't be right unless I shared a few pics!! Hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day (except for you, Dawn - NO LABOR FOR YOU!! 'k??!)