November 2016 A Harvest of Memories Scraps

November is a very difficult month to endure due to painful memories. We honor my Mother in-law's birthday on November 11th and will never forget the loss of her on that dreadful day of November 19th, 2013. We watched my husband's mother slowly deteriorate from cancer, she died from a tragic fall, and a month later we nearly lost little brother from horrible health issues. November was when little brother became very sick and had to hospitalized weeks later. I am truly grateful for my testimony that families are forever. We will be reunited again with our loved ones who passed on someday. I am also truly thankful to God for answering our pleas in healing my son from his many difficult medical issues he encountered the first few years of his life. He is absolutely amazing and brings us so much joy in our lives! I'm counting my blessings! We have so much to be grateful for! 

In Loving Memory, 2013

Our Family: Life is Beautiful, 2013 

Credits: I used a huge collaboration kit (papers and elements) called"That's Life" from many popular scrapbook artists. "That's Life" was a Digi Scrap Parade freebie.  The templates are by Cindy Schneider from Sweet Shoppe Designs. I used the following fonts: FO-giggles, Lucida Handwriting, and print clearly. 

All Family Thanksgiving, 2015

 
Credits: The layout is by Penny Miscellany, Autumn Day papers, journal card, pie, flowers, and buttons are by Elif Sahin from Sahin Designs, yellow leaf, pine cone, mushroom, pine needles are by Kristin Cronin Barrow from Sweet Shoppe Designs, and acorns are by L Grier.  I used the grumble font. 

Masquerade Daddy Daughter Harvest Ball

Masquerade Daddy Daughter Harvest Ball

Last year I helped accomplish a magical Daddy Daughter Date. It was a formal dinner, which we all dressed up in our Sunday best. I loved wearing my jeweled black dress and green mask! Each girl made a mask during Activity Days week prior to the evening. They also helped us make invitations, name cards, and napkin rings. Our goal was for it to sparkle that night by using lots of glitter, white lights, shimmery ribbons, and gems! We decorated the place in restaurant style each girl got their own table with their Father. We had servers (Young Women and Men from our ward) take their orders and serve them their food. We had a photographer take photos at a backdrop and provided some fun props. We asked a couple Young Women and Young men who were on the Ballroom team perform a couple routines for some entertainment. We then did three rotations of activities such as writing a letter to our missionaries, minute to win it games, and learn a waltz from the ballroom dancers. At the end, we did a group waltz dance all together. It was a fun night, which I hope the girls will never forget! 
The Invitations
We used 12X12 glitter scrapbook papers and embellished the invite with feathers, gems, ribbons, and black mask dye cuts (from silhouette machine). 

Close Up on the Invites
Credits: The Frames and graphics are from The Graphic's Fairy, the dancing couple from here and black paper is by Zoe Pearn and grey paper is by Shabby Princess. I used the following fonts: Francine Hmk, Old English Text MT, and Bergamot Ornaments.

The Table Setting
We cut some burlap fabric in squares, made name cards, napkin rings, masks (template here), menu, pumpkin party favor (filled with candy), spray painted pine cones, black lacy paper over glass container for tea light, and candelabras (silhouette machine which we spray painted them).

Another Table Setting

The Menu
We asked six Young Women and Men in our ward to be servers. They were dressed in black and white. Credits: Graphics and frames are from The Graphics Fairy, papers are by Zoe Pearn and I used Imperator, Goudy Old Style, Bergamot Ornaments, Old English Text MT, and Francine Hmk for the fonts.

The Place Mat (Activities to do while eating) 
Credits: I found misc games from doing a Google search Tick Tac Toe, Pumpkin Maze, and Dot Game. I typed out some ice breakers questions for them to talk about during dinner. The silhouette dance couple is from here. The oval frames and silhouette of girl are by Allison Kimbell Designs. The other Graphics are by The Graphic's Fairy. I got the silhouette dancing couple from here and the man silhouette here.

Photo Booth and Props
We used white lights over a white curtain and layered it with gold and cream material, bought a few pumpkins (put gold and cream ribbons on the stem) and balloons. I found the Photo Booth Props templates from here -----> Keepsakes Photo Props 

Banners and Pumpkins
As you can see we went with the color theme of black, orange, purple, gold, cream, and silver. When I planted my garden last year, I made sure we did pumpkins! I painted the pumpkins black, purple, white, etc. I used some glitter, ribbons, and masks to embellish them.  I was happy to decorate my front door with the colorful pumpkins after the event! I used gold and silver spray paint to make the pine cones (great for Christmas decorations, ha). As for the banner, I used the Goose Bumps kit from Shabby Princess, orange paper and alphas was from Zoe Pearn's Something Wicked Kit, and then I tied colorful ribbons on the banner.

More Pumpkins

Entertainment and Games 
We divided the guests into three groups and did three rotations. I made a map to show them where to go. We did Minute to Win it games, Learn a Waltz, and Missionary Letters to our current missionaries serving from our ward. Credits: Papers are by Zoe Pearn and Shabby Princess, graphics and frames are by The Graphics Fairy, compass is by Kate Hatfield from The Lily Pad, and the waltz dance couple silhouette is from here.

The Overview of Lights, Table, Chair Setting, and Disco Ball 
What a wonderful privilege to be apart of this magical night! I have the best church calling ever! 

Free Family Fall Fun

As a family, we strive to savor each season by doing fun activities together.

First, we went on a small family hike near Grovecreek trail.

Next, we played at Hee Haw Farms!   The girls absolutely loved the slides while little brother enjoyed playing in the corn pit.  We all enjoyed the hayride and petting the barnyard animals!

One Sunday afternoon we went for a drive up Alpine Loop, had a picnic, and enjoyed seeing the beautiful colorful leaves.

Lastly, for Halloween 2014, little sis was a Spanish dancer, little brother was Cookie Monster, big sis was "A" from Pretty Little Liars, John was El Macho from Despicable Me II and I was a cowgirl.

Family of Five Plus Dog Photo Shoot

Since we are now a family of five and have an almost two year old bichon frise poodle mix dog, we felt it was time to get some updated family photographs. Our oldest daughter has a friend who is aspiring to be photographer someday so we gave her the opportunity to take our pictures. We decided on a navy blue, white, grey, and teal color pallet for our photo shoot. We picked a perfect spot to do the photo shoot at Kiwanis Park near Battle Creek Trail head in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

 It was a lovely autumn afternoon! The leaves were absolutely gorgeous with the sun shining above us! I love glow of the sun light that is seen in some of these photographs!

The pictures turned out great even though little brother was not very photogenic that day and became grumpy at the end while Jagger (our dog) would sometimes not look at the photographer while she took the photographs.

Boo'tiful and Spooky Layouts

You're Boo-tiful, 2004

Credits: The template is by Christy Vanderwall. The alpha, papers, elements are by Shabby Miss Jenn. The paper over lay, felt pumpkin and owl are by Gina Cabrera. The candy corn is by Jacque Larsen. As for the flowers, they are by Dani Mogstad. I used the following fonts: love ya like a sister and Kristen ITC.

Spooky Halloween, 2008

 Credits: The template is by Ashley Kennedy. I used the "Scared Silly" Kit by Dani Mogstad and Jacque Larsen. The spooky alpha is by Dani Mogstad. The m&m's are by Gunhild Storeide I used jokerman for my font.

Falltastic Golden Memories

October is finally here and we recently raked our first pile of leaves! The weather is cool outdoors and a splash of fall colorful leaves are seen on the trees! Everyone in our the household is craving something that contains the pumpkin ingredient such as roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin shakes, pumpkin spice donuts, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and pumpkin better than what cake!  On a cool fall night, we have sipped some warm hot chocolate or apple cider and ate a bowl full of homemade crock-pot stew! We love to take car rides up the canyon, frolic in the leaves, and watch golden sunsets. We absolutely love the autumn season!

Our little sunshine is five months old!

Milestones:  Little brother is now eating cereal twice a day (oatmeal for breakfast and rice cereal for dinner) in addition to breast milk from a bottle 5-6 times a day. He loves to play with his many baby toys, giggle at his silly Daddy, continues to strengthen his neck muscles while doing tummy time, can sit up on his own briefly then falls over, loves to listen to Mom and big sisters sing, and coo back at us when we talk to him. 

The Golden Days of Fall Layouts

Fall is finally fall here! The air is cool and the leaves are changing! I love this time of the year!

We are Family, 2000

Credits: The layout is by me. I used the "Barefoot" kit by Shabby Princess and P.S. I love you font.

Celebrating Fall, 2009

Credits: The template is by Michelle Filho. I used "Bountiful" kit and "Autumn Melody" kit by Shabby Princess. The leaves are by Dani Mogstad. I used love ya like a sister font.

October 2012 Fun Fall Memories

1.  During conference weekend (October 5-7, 2012), we went up to Layton to stay with our nephew and niece.  We went on a lovely hike up Fernwood Trail Head near their home to see the brilliant fall leaves. 

2.  On Tuesday October 16, 2012, the girls went to the ward neighbourhood carnival hosted by the young men and young women at the church.  My husband was in charge of a bean bag toss game while my oldest daughter did some other fun games for the children.  My youngest daughter enjoyed face painting, prizes, treats, and got to take home a small pumpkin.

3. As a weekend family outing, we went to check out the new Scheels in Sandy, Utah on October 27, 2012. The girls enjoyed trying fudge, riding the Ferris Wheel, and looking at the fish.  Afterwards we ate at Astro Burger for dinner. 

5.  On October 30, 2012, Little sister and I went to Hee Haw Farms with the Nelson family while John and big sis went to scouts and young women activity. Big sis rode on a pony, pet the farm animals, went down the slides, rode a swing, and went on a Hay Ride.  We had a lot of fun despite the stinky farm animal smells!

6.  On Halloween little sister dressed up as a cheer leader while big sis was a pediatrician.

 Happy Halloween!

Fall Leaves and Floral Wreath

Since I loved making my own cheap spring wreath this year, I decided to make a fall one too.  I went thrift shopping and to Walmart for the supplies.  I bet you could find a lot of this stuff from the dollar store too! I spent a total of $8.44, which is not bad considering most craft stores try to sell decorated wreaths around $20.00 and up.

Fall Leaves and Floral Wreath

Supplies

wreath ($2.00 from a thrift store)

colored leaves, berries, acorns, pumpkins, etc ($1.50 from a thrift store)

 pine cones ($3.00 from Walmart )

orange and yellow sunflowers (.97 each from Walmart)

Glue gun and glue sticks

pliers to cut the flowers

Instructions 

Arrange your supplies how you like to design it. First, I glued on the leaves and flowers.  Then I started layering the other embellishments (pine cones, acorns, pumpkins, berries, etc). It took about two hours to hot glue it all together.  

Fall Family Fun Layouts

Fall is my most favorite season! I love seeing the beautiful leaves change into autumn colors and there are so many fun activities going on too. Some of my most favorite fall memoires are driving up the canyon, hiking in the mountains, going to a pumpkin patch, getting lost in a corn maze, going to a haunted house, and going to a state fair.

Fall is in the Air, 1999

Credits: The layout is by me. The tree, leaves, strings, felt circles, butterfly are by Natalie Braxton. Papers, brown stitching, tag with safety pin, and ribbons are by Shabby Princess. "Fall" word art and brown bolt are by Shabby Miss Jenn. For my fonts, I used love ya like a sister and Susi's Hand. 

The Colors of Fall, 2006

Credits: I used "Shabbylicious Fall" kit and elements from "Cherry Wood Farm" kit by Shabby Miss Jenn! The brown brand is from Shabby Princess and frame from Digi Scrap. For my fonts, I used Love you like a sister and PS I love you.
Iron County Fair, 2007

 Page Two

Credits: The layouts are by me. The papers and elements are from the County Fair kit by Dani Mogstad.  I did this layout a long time ago and forgot who made the frames, stitches, pigs, buttons, and flowers.  The font is unknown.
Hiking Squaw Peak, 2008

 Credits: The layout is by me. The papers and some elements are from "Softly Falling" kit by Dani Mogstad. The other elements and some papers are from "French Country Side" by Shabby Princess. For my font, I used love ya like a sister.

Fall Canyon Drive, 2011

 Page Two

   Credits:  The layouts are by me! The papers, elements, word art, and doodles, are from the following kits "Autumn Medley", "Bountiful ", "Hopscotch", and "Plentiful" by Shabby Princess. For my font, I used mareen's print.

Fall Family Photographs

On November 4,2011, our sweet talented friend Mindi Youngblood took our family photos in Lehi, Utah.  Even though it was cloudy and cold, we had a lot of fun doing our photo shoot! I decided to do a navy blue and mustard yellow theme! We are stepping out of our comfort zones by wearing the color mustard but it was sure fun shopping for our clothes and accessories!  For our photo shoot backgrounds, Mindi picked an industrial area that offered many textured backgrounds such as an old red brick building, rusty metal warehouse, a red wooden building, tall yellow grass, cobblestone wall, fall leaves, and railroad tracks.  It was a perfect place to snap photographs!  In fact, there were a few other photographers shooting pictures at the same area. 

Free Family Established 1997

John wore Faded Glory jeans, Old Navy mustard yellow and navy blue stripped long sleeved shirt, and Dr Martens shoes.

 I wore David Kahn jeans (thrift), Old Navy mustard yellow tank top, Old Navy ruffled navy blue blouse, jewelry set by Chaps from Kohls, and mustard yellow Soda shoes from Forever Young.

My oldest daughter wore skinny jeans from American Eagle, Old Navy ruffled mustard yellow camisole, Old Navy long sleeved navy blue tee shirt, feather drop earrings (SO), and Navy blue Toms.

 My youngest daughter wore Old Navy skinny jeans, Mudd mustard yellow shirt, Old Navy blue and white stripped long sleeved shirt, Sketchers twinkle toes shoes, and navy blue flower hair accessory by Claire's.

 Thank you very much, Mindi!!!  We absolutely love them!!!