adventureland!

sorry for my absence!  been trying to get some quality time in with the kiddos before our summer is completely gone.  yesterday we took the boys on a day-cation to adventureland in altoona.  they were sooooo excited to go. believe it or not, we've never been there with them & this year we are trying to stay close to home with dan's mom being so ill.  we sort of went on a whim... we had the tickets, but weren't sure when we were going to go. my parents were available for lydie sitting early this week & the weather was looking good for monday, so luckily we were able to pack up quick & go!  it was really fun taking just the boys, they don't often get time just with us & they were both very appreciative of getting away for a fun day!

here are some pics off my phone i took with a sorta fun app i have on there called photo fx... these ones are taken with the fx toy camera... 

what's  better than a super ginormous $6 icee after a hard day at the park?

evan counting his moo-laa on the way

just getting off the raging river... they weren't too happy. 45 min wait for a 2-3 ride at the end of the day. oh well :(

i've got some more pics on my little point n shoot that i have to find the cord to get the pics off onto my computer... i'll post more later ;)

all in all it was a great, tiring, fun summer trip.  we need to find a roller coaster companion to go with the boys next time... they love 'em & dan & i were just trying not to puke!  i think we all agreed that the new water park was the best part & can't wait to go back next year :)

oh... & miss Lyd?  she had a fab time with g&g K.  they went to visit aunt betty, got milkshakes, got some school supplies, watched  tom&jerry, & played & played!

summer + cousins

over the last two weeks our niece Erin has been staying with my parents.  they started off her stay with camping at Coralville lake & were so great as to let the boys switch on & off throughout these few weeks to stay with them as well.  we took a day to go up & spend some time too... of course the day we chose had a heat index of like 110 degrees, so we tried to pack some things into the morning.  we did the playground thing {like the only thing lydia really was interested in} & then took them down to the spillway to watch the water. they had sooo much fun & got SOAKED!  luckily my great mom had her camera so i could catch some shots of them all together.

thanks mom & dad... as Evan said the other day... you are really great grandparents & we're lucky to have you!  oh & Erin... the kids had so much fun spending time with you too!  they miss you already :) 

what's better than summer days + great cousins to enjoy them with?

color cues 7.15.10

image from zupas.com via pinterest

color inspiration really is everywhere!  I was immediately drawn to this yummy looking jello concoction... not just because it looked yummy, but I was into the colors, the striped rainbow-like pattern & how it just looked summery & happy!  Today just seemed perfect to put together something cool & refreshing.... it's HOT hot HOT here so we're enjoying the AC.  I was reminded of some photos I had taken at the beginning of summer when the kids first got out the slip n slide, new suits & water guns...

I recreated the rainbow stripe look with patterned papers from my digital paper lines available in the pink trike shop.  I've taken from the lines sunny, evan, collin & oh happy day {boyish}.  It's my thing to do lots of different patterns together, but not so much my thing to have lots of pictures on one layout, but I love how this one turned out!  Remember... color inspiration doesn't always have to be literal... it's much more fun to add you're own stamp to it!

layout by {me}

have a cool day :)

{robyn}

bubbles

It's been a lovely weekend here & we've enjoyed it by grilling, hangin' on the porch, going to the pool & just playing!  One of miss L's fave things is bubble blowing {rather someone else blowing the bubbles while she chases them down to pop them}.  I love that I was able to capture this pic of Collin being such a sweet.... ahem... cool brother by blowing some bubbles for his lil' sis {I think he secretly loves to hear her giggles}.  

The online shop is coming right along & if everything goes right I'll have it OPEN by mid-week!  SO excited :)

layout my {me}... all digital papers & embellishments: pink trike design {coming soon!!!}

{robyn}

where oh where have i been?

well... since the boys got out of school, they've been on a steady stream of UNsteady bedtimes... baseball games... video games... fun days with grandma... they're little sis has joined in on all the fun too {which was the cause for that picture. fell asleep with her face in her ice cream cone!  too funny.} Lydia is loving having Collin & Evan home with her! She just plays right along side them or they'll think of something fun to play with her like hotel or shopping mall :) As any mother I love the days or even hours when they are all playing happily together! Now, if it would stop raining long enough for them to get some outside play time without coming back a muddy mess...  

For the last few weeks I've been on an exciting journey as well!  I'll share details soon... but I've been doing lots of thinking, researching & playing! I've also been taking this summer e course by the oh so fabulous Kelly Rae Roberts!!!

 

If you don't know about this amazing artist you should really go check out kelly's website. Her book is on my list to read too... she is truly an inspiring individual :)

Oh & I saw sneaks of the LOADS of new goodies being released for Reminisce this summer... oooooh you're gonna LOVE it all!!!  We've all been busy little designers these last several months!  Keep checking over at the Reminisce blog for new releases!