Thursday, January 31, 2008

July is Finished....

Okay, I'm so far behind, but I try not to focus on that. I decided in June, just to start with this year and then when I got caught up, I would go back and do the previous years. So to celebrate that I have finished July's pictures, I thought I would show them off. Most of my layouts are copies from magazine's with my own little twist. Alrighty now, on to August 2007!

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The Kliff and Beverly Bramwell Family

All of my siblings got together for the day. It was really fun since we haven't all been together for a long time. We had a blast in the snow out in my parent's field. Audrey pulled us around on the tubes. When Dad tried driving, my brother Mark ended up getting pulled up next to the truck and slamming into the side of it. I thought he was going to go under the tire. It was so scary, but he was fine. We sure love to make memories when we are together. :) Then we headed out for a nice steak lunch (no kids, yeah!) and then back to the house for games and more pictures.
Pictured: Kliff and Beverly Bramwell, Audrey Bramwell, Mark Bramwell, Megan Smith, Angie Wycherly, Desiree Bramwell, Alexandrea Bramwell

Friday, January 18, 2008

Sharing is Caring :)

I just had to share this link. If you are like me, I'm always looking for cool freebies. Whether you scrapbook or not, these fonts might come in handy whenever you are looking for a "handwritten" look. http://www.kevinandamanda.com/scrapbook/fonts/

Also, some of you have asked about digital scrapbooking and though I am far from an "expert" I will share what I know.

1. I use Adobe Photoshop Elements. It is fun once you learn it. I was confused at first and ordered an online tutorial from http://www.scrapgirls.com/ which got me started. There are also many forums where you can ask questions

2. There are tons of freebies online. I've just started collecting site and adding them to my bookmarks.

3. If you ever want me to show you how the basics work ie. layers, come on over and get ready to be addicted.



This is a page I did of Brooklyn a couple months ago and it is one of my favorites. I know I scraplifted it from somewhere, but I can't remember where- so sorry for not giving credit where credit is due.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Brooklyn

I just finished this page of Brooklyn's first birthday and thought I would share. I thought it turned out pretty cute. I can't believe how much she has changed in just a few months.


P.S. For the previous post, those of you that want to check out the flylady site...www.flylady.net

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

I'm a blogging machine...

Okay, I know this is my 3rd post, but I'm trying to get caught up. And since I got tagged, I thought I better finish it off tonight. (thanks Makinzee and Angie-she tagged me months ago)


The RULES:

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.

B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.

C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog....


My Six:


1. I Flit around. No, not flirt, but flit. I go in spurts on things that I am really interested in. I'll be really into something, say food storage, and then I'm on to making hair bows or bracelets. I don't know why I do this, maybe it goes back to my parents finally letting me quit piano lessons. But, hopefully it makes me interesting since I've done lots of things.


2. I LOVE digital scrapbooking. It is fast and clean and easy once you get the hang of it. I love finding freebies online. I love experimenting with things and being able to "undo" it when it doesn't work out. I love that when I need to stop, I don't have a desk full of scraps and tools that I need to clean up. Sometimes I miss the texture and the feeling of traditional scrapbooking. But, I know I can always go back to it if I feel like it. Usually making my YW handouts cures me of that feeling though.


3. I'm a flybaby. If you've never been to the Flylady's website, you've got to try it. It is a way to get your house clean and organized just by starting with a clean and shiny sink. She sends you little reminders for each day of things to do. My countertops got totally scrubbed yesterday, and the day before, the dining room floorboards got washed. It is amazing how just spending 15 minutes a day on something makes a difference in your day. Maybe this is my latest "flit", but hopefully I'll stick with it.


4. I love being a mom. Okay, ya'll already know that, but I really do love it. Whether it is pulling the kids around in the sled in the driveway or just watching them play, I love it. I'm so thankful for a husband that supports me and wants me home with the children. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have extra spending money if I had a teaching job, but then I get real and think about how much I love life the way it is.


5. I am a true Jedi. Okay, I'll be honest. I've never really been into Star Wars, and until recently hadn't even seen all the movies, but I love the Lego Star Wars video game. Brayden got the second one for his birthday and we play it together all the time. There are so many hidden things to find. It is such a rush when you find that last "battery pack." I think there is another name for them, but that is what we call them. Plus, I love it when my little boy says, "Mom, cover me!" as the Storm troopers come in shooting.


6. I love adventure. I love doing scary things that challenge me. I'm not really physically gifted, but if there is a rush in doing something, I'll usually do it. For example, we were white water rafting and the guide stopped at this cliff and asked if anyone wanted to jump. I was all there. Billy wanted to jump from the lower ledge, but when his wife jumped from the top one, he had to also. I'd love to be on the Amazing Race, but I think I would be one of those people that you think is really mean because I get frustrated so easily.


Okay, that's it So... Jamie, Sara S., Tess, Terri Anne, Anna, Sara N.... You're it!

Brooklyn is Nursery Age!





"Hip Hip Hooray" as they would say on Super Why (If you haven't seen this show on PBS, it is super cute) Brooklyn is officially nursery age and has gone to nursery twice now. That is not counting the 2 minute she spent in nursery in my parent's ward. Apparently, they don't do crying kids there. However, in our ward, she ran to the door excited to go in, got shy and cried for a bit when Billy left her there. However, when I picked her up she acted like she had a blast. Hopefully this will continue. What was Sunday School like without her? Wonderful. Billy however will miss her a bit during Elder's Quorum. He might just have to listen to the lesson.


Brooklyn had her shots today and did really well. She is over 50% for height and is 20% for weight. Tall and skinny- what a lucky girl. Just kidding. It seems like she has thinned out a bit with all the running around trying to keep up with her brother. I was surprised because she eats chili like there is no tomorrow! Here are a few pics of my darling girl. Check out her pony sweater- is that so me or what?
Check out her "Karate Kid" move!

Star Wars Birthday Party!

Okay, so the one bad thing, okay maybe there are lots of bad things, about having a Christmas time birthday is that all your friends and even you are usually out of town or busy on your birthday. So, we decided to do a party the beginning of January. It was such a hit! Just imagine, 14 kids in Jedi robes with foam lightsabers (thanks Billy) playing pin the ship on the death star, wacking Gen. Greivous pinata head around, Star wars character "cake" walk.... It was crazy fun. Brayden had such a blast, and Billy and I loved to watch him playing with all his friends. Happy Birthday bud!

Brayden Turns 5

Watch out Gen. Grievous!
Star Wars Character Walk






I can't believe I have a five year old! I guess that means I'm getting up there. Although, I've been married almost 10 years so I could have a 9 year old. Wow! I can't believe he is 5 already. How is it that it seems like he was just a baby, but at the same time, I can't remember life without my crazy kid. He is such a blast and so like me in many ways. We both can switch emotions from happy to sad/mad/or whatever or vice versa in less than 2 seconds. We love to cuddle, we love to be around other people and get kind of hyper when we are. We both love our alone time to do our own thing. We both are easily amused by things. Its fun to see what traits our children inherit from us. One thing is for sure though, he is his own person. There is no one quite like him- which I love!



This is him "helping" me decorate his "Death Star" birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Son!