At A Glance...

Fantastic Day!

2006-08-26T20:14:00.000-06:00

Today was one of those awesome days I know I'll always look back and remember. We have a few family traditions this time of year that Josh and I love. Today we did our annual drive through the Sandia Mountains. We take the chair lift to the top of the mountain and we can see all of Albuquerque from the top. Jaden and Caleb think it's the coolest thing ever! I just love that they still sit on our laps, don't know how many years we have left of that...

We've been spending our days adjusting to Jaden being in Kindergarten. His little brother misses him so much, he's always asking if it's time to go pick up Jaden yet. Poor little dude! For some reason going grocery shopping and going to the mall just isn't doing it for him... Go figure!

Did a layout for fun the other day, I've been dying to use this hambly for a while. I LOVE that stuff, although I'm not sure I get the whole overlay thing... How do you make it stay in place? I used adhesive spray and staples?

I kid you not, the day after I did this layout I put my beloved glasses in a bag w/ my keys and scratched the crap out of them. I would have been inconsolable if I hadn't paid $7 for them at Payless. But I'm still pretty bummed... These are my problems, isn't life grand! LOL...

Finishing off my last post...

2006-08-20T20:09:00.000-06:00

Maybe blogger is feeling more generous towards me today and will actually let me finish posting pics...

I was just showing some of the layouts I did from my last Scrapologie Kit.

I don't usually enjoy working w/ browns but I really ended up loving this kit!

Then of course there are my wishful thinking Scenic Route DT layouts (hey, a girl can dream right...).

You know those blogs that are super intriguing and intense and you just find yourself totally absorbed in? Well I'm just not one of those (at least not today). My life is routine and incredibly predictable and I've gotta say I LOVE it. So I'll say goodnight for now, have a happy week ladies!

SLACKER!

2006-08-19T19:34:00.000-06:00

So I'm pretty sure I win the award for being the biggest blogging slacker... What can I say, I've enjoyed my summer immensely! I've managed to keep PEAing but blogging has fallen by the wayside. But now I'm back (yes Rita, you inspired me!) and can't wait to do some catching up...

Biggest news in my world is that my first born started Kindergarten this week. EEEEEEEEEEEK! Needless to say it was WAY harder on me than it was him. He loves it! I just can't believe my baby is going to school. I feel like it's the beginning of his independence away from me, which breaks my heart. But on the other hand I'm so happy and proud of him. Totally struggle of emotions going on with me this week. *sigh*

My other little guy has turned into a total gobble three year old. Since his brother is gone all day he's resorted to doing silly things to keep himself busy. Example:

I've been keeping fairly busy scrapping. Rankin has been giving me the most amazing kits to work with from scrupulosity. I like her taste in materials better than my own!
Here's a few layouts I did with her Limited Edition Vintage Kit. Can I just say that the chicly-It tool by prove Craft is the coolest thing EVER!!! I use it to rough up the edges of my chipboard. It makes sandpaper feel like it's from the old ages.

Okay, I wanted to post a few more layouts but apparently blocker has decided it's done with me for tonight. ! I'd complain loudly if it was FREE.

Stay tuned for more in the next few days. Hope everyone is well. Sorry I haven't been visiting your blocs! MAE

Fly Fly Away..

2006-05-05T13:09:00.000-06:00

Who knew a Butterfly Pavilion could be such an amazing gift!!!

Jaden got one from his Grammy for his bday and I've got to share it w/ you guys. If anyone is looking for a great gift for a young child this is totally the way to go!

You buy this pop up pavilion, then they mail you these tiny little caterpillars (food included) in cups. You just leave them in the cups and watch them get big and fat until they hang upside down and form cocoons.

Then you hang the cocoons in the pavilion and wait for them to come out as butterflies. The whole process takes a few weeks from beginning to end. Every day my boys would run out and check on their caterpillars/butterflies. A few days ago we woke up to butterflies busting loose from their cocoons. AMAZING!

Can you tell I enjoyed this as much as the boys?

So today we decided to set them free...

It never ceases to amaze me how the circle of life works.

Just a few little tidbits I've learned over the past few weeks: Butterflies can fly 1,000 miles in their lifetime, they can lay up to 500 eggs, they taste w/ their feet, they have 10,000 eyes and they breath through their abdomen!

Okay, I'm done being the science gal. But if you're ever looking for an educational gift, this one RULES!

Peek-A-Boo! I see YOU!

2006-05-04T15:11:00.000-06:00

Oh yeah, so this is what blogging is like... I have been seriously out of it. Do you ever feel like you spend way to much time on the computer and something's gotta give? That's how I've been feeling lately. I've had some serious Spring Fever. You should see all the plants I've been planting in the last couple weeks. Flowers galore! Hmmmmm... That sounds like a great thing to blog about, I'll have to remember to take some pics. So for all of you who I've been neglecting I'm sorry. I plan on visiting all my favorites blogs TODAY!

I've been doing some serious "assignment" scrapping. LOL... Ranjini's kit this month at Scrapologie was scrumptious as always. Here's a little of what I did with her beautiful supplies.

As far as I'm concerned Ranjini can do no wrong. She has the best taste ever and treats her DT like queens. I'm humbled by the talent in our group!

I've also been doing some Provo Craft projects, which I'm happy to say they allow us to post...

I've just discovered the Freestyle blog (uhm, thanks Gen -what took you so long to clue me in!?!?!), and I'm so inspired by these women. They make me want to break out the paints, paper bags, yarn, jute, glitter, you name it, and get totally FUNKY w/ my scrapping. What they do has forever changed scrapping in my eyes. They've turned it into an art form. Thank you ladies, you are AMAZING!

Just Another Day...

2006-04-18T11:13:00.000-06:00

Nothing new and exciting to report from the Keener Casa. The days are just flying by with the running around of everyday life. I have to remind myself to stop and appreciate it b/c it's going by sooooooo FAST!

I've been doing a little scrapping. Trying to get myself out of my funk. I just got my May kit from Scrapologie and omg, it's fantastic! If that can't get my creative juices flowin' I don't know what will.

Here's a couple of LO's I did just for fun (yes, I said JUST for fun!).

I want to give a HUGE congrats to Erica who's this months guest Garden Girl. She inspires me so much, I'm happy to see her talented being recognized everywhere! Yay Erica!

Happy Easter Everyone!

2006-04-16T17:29:00.000-06:00

Here's wishing everyone a wonderful day surrounded by family, friends, good food and Easter Eggs!

Crazy, Goofy, Insane, Proud Parents!

2006-04-14T08:39:00.000-06:00

Now I understand those parents I used to think were insane. As Jaden rode his bike without the training wheels for the first time this week I was behind him jumping up and down, clapping, giggling and screaming all at the same time. I'm so proud of him!

Pure COMEDY!

2006-04-09T19:23:00.000-06:00

What do you get when you take 24 little boys (ages 4-6), dress them up in baseball uniforms, give them gloves, bats, balls and throw them all on a grassy area w/ bases?

Hilarity Ensues!

I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard. They're just so darn cute and do the silliest things...

Here's Jaden running away and screaming when another little boy tried to tag him out.

I love this stage because it's all about fun for them. We don't even keep score. Everyone gets to bat and advance one base regardless. They're totally learning the basics w/ out any pressure to perform.
If only life could always be this way! Ha! Ha!

Jaden still runs so goofy, I giggle just looking at this picture (him holding that big ole helmet on his little head!)...

It's amazing what kids pick up from other kids. By the end of the first game he was hitting his bat against the ground before taking a swing. Just like in the big leagues (obviously something he saw the older kids doing).

And what is his little brother Caleb doing while Jaden is pursuing his t-ball career?

Kissing Uncle Sean's dog on the sidelines of course. What else would a 3 year old be doing?!?!

When I find myself getting frustrated with Jaden for messing around out there I try to remind myself to enjoy this. When else in his life is Jaden going to be giving me the thumbs-up and "I love you" hand signals from across a crowded field? Ahhhh, I do love this time! Once again, if anyone has a pause button, please pass it my way!

Happy Birthday Baby!

2006-04-03T09:58:00.000-06:00

It's been five years since this little man came into my life and forever changed everything...

How I love my sweet Jaden!

He had a pirate themed birthday bash, and it was so CUTE! Check out this amazing cake his grammy made him. I've been telling her she seriously needs to go into the cake making business. She always makes my boys the coolest cakes EVER!

So if anyone has a pause button so I can slow down time I would really love it... I just can't believe it's been five years. Everyone has always told me "it goes by so fast" but I had no idea how true that was. I just want to hold onto every second with my boys.

Five... I still can't believe my tiny little baby is FIVE! eek!

Hope everyone is having a happy Monday!

TGIF

2006-03-31T07:23:00.000-07:00

Yay, it's Friday! This weekend is going to be so insanely busy for us at the Keener casa. Between t-ball, soccer and Jaden's big pirate birthday bash this weekend is going to be jam packed. But fun!

If anyone is looking for me, I'll be the chick running around looking frazzled...

Ranjini brought out the new April Urban Couture kit at Scrapologie. She is the absolute BEST at kits. Everytime I get one I ohhhhh and ahhhh. Here's what I did with it:

Okay everyone, go have a fun weekend!

Inspiration...

2006-03-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

It's everywhere I tell ya! I've just been sitting back and absorbing it lately. Scrapbooking has seriously turned into an art form these days, and I love that! Here's a LO I did after I saw the new BHG. Patricia Anderson did a LO using swirly borders and it totally inspired me.

I seriously don't know what I would do in the morning without 2Peas and Scrapologie to visit. It's like my cup of coffee. I can't get on with my day until after I've visited them. Is that what we call an addiction?

Gotta share this little story... Jaden (who's totally a mommy's boy) was going around the house today singing "jaden and mommy are the best, Caleb and daddy are the worst". All I can say is it's hard to punish him when I can't stop giggling.

And I'll leave you with these pics that just crack me up. I've said it before and I'll say it again... Boys are WEIRD!

Well Whaddya Know!?!?

2006-03-24T16:50:00.000-07:00

There's a first time for everything, and this is mine...

I'm a published girl! Sniff, sniff... I know lots of you girls are used to being published on a monthly basis but not me... Finally one of the mags gave me some love! Legacy RULES! I also noticed Cindy, Danielle (holy freaking digi woman!), Keisha and Cheryl were in this issue too. To think my little ole LO is in a magazine with these talented ladies blows me away. I am a happy girl today!

Note to self... Do not post pictures of myself without make up on the internet ever again!

Just A Few More...

2006-03-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

Getting tired of seeing HOF LO's yet? Here are just a few more. After this I'll stop, I promise!

On a different note, all this chilly windy weather in New Mexico is starting to depress me. Where is my warm pretty spring days? I thought that was the benefit of living in the desert. And all this wind is cranking up my allergies BIG TIME. I actually went to bed at 7PM last night. 7PM! Two whole hours before my kids. After 12 hours of sleep I feel much better though. Who wouldn't!

Ok, enough complaining... On a happier note I've got this fabulous picture of my buddy Gen that I'm gonna scrap today. Can't wait to see how it comes out. Hope it's as artsy and groovy as she is!

Goofballs...

2006-03-20T20:12:00.000-07:00

These kids are Whacko!

I can't imagine where they get it from...

So I didn't win HOF... Didn't even make the Honorable Mention list... But I know a lot of amazing talented ladies who did! Gen, Suzanne, Wendy, Laura, Nisa, Becky, Greta, Hanni... WOW girls, a huge congrats to you all! I can't wait to show off the magazine and tell people I know you all. You're my celebrities! You guys rock!!!!

So slowly but surely I'll be emptying out my HOF folder and posting my little heart out. This is the one I posted today:

Got this amazing quote from Gen, it totally reminds me of her! Hope all of you are having happy Mondays...

Who Knew...

2006-03-13T14:55:00.000-07:00

It can actually snow in New Mexico?!?! GET OUT!
It's true... Sunday morning we woke up to the boys running through the house yelling "snow snow snow". They were in their snow suites and out the door by 7:30 AM. I can't even REMEMBER what it's like to have that much energy!

Here's a LO I did the other day using a picture of my mom w/ Caleb. I love this picture of them together! I've honestly never seen my parents happier than with their grandkids.
I hope everyone is having a fabulous Monday (if that's possible)!

Hmmmmm...

2006-03-06T17:18:00.000-07:00

Have you seen all the HOF hub-bub going on in the Pub? Okay, I so didn't mean for that to rhyme... It's weird how the hype gets so built up. Then you have these weird posts and you're thinking "are they trying to tell us that they won?". I don't get it. I've never been much of a pub dweller and I think I'll probably stay out of there until after HOF is announced. It's just too crazy!

Here's a LO I did last night while watching the Oscars.

This is actually Caleb's knees on a good day. That kid is ROUGH! lol... The new Scenic Route papers are fun.

Do you ever start a LO and realize you don't have enough vowels to complete the title? Ughhh!!! That's what happened to me here. I had to dig around to found some e's. Then I ended up using a black sharpie to turn an F into an E. Hey, it worked!

I also want to send my love out to Gabby and Erika. You're in my heart and my thoughts. Take care of yourselves. You know we all love and support you!

Swirls Oh My!

2006-03-02T19:48:00.000-07:00

Okay, I officially bow down to Hanni, Suzanne, Rhonna and all those other fabulous scrappers who make swirls look so easy to do. Cuz I learned last night that they are in fact NOT! LOL...
My brain just doesn't work in a swirly sorta fasion, but this LO was way beyond the point of no return by the time I figured that out. So here it is anyway! Love this pic of me and my little man... And I've got to point out how much I love Kelly Purkey's fonts at Scrap Supply. I tried to make my writing look like her Love Letters font. Not nearly as cute as Kelly's, but she totally has inspired me to try out different handwriting techniques!

I was tagged by the fabulous miss Sara, so here we go!

What scrapbook lines/products, etc. do you dislike?
I do not enjoy "cute" stuff. No premade die cuts or jolee's stuff. But I've found that I can pretty much funk anything up with enough ink!

What is the hardest thing you have ever had to scrap?
A heritage album I did for my in-laws with REALLY old pics. I was so afraid to ruin them. And heritage paper and colors are so not me!

What technique do you use more than anything else?
If I had a penny for every time I reached for the ink I'd be rich. Seriously. I use ink on EVERYTHING I do. My table is covering w/ ink spots!!!

What is the smallest scrap of paper you save?
I've learned that once I use paper I rarely use it again, unless I REALLY love it. So I don't generally keep scraps anymore unless they're just fantastic. Kaleidoscope and Chester I would keep teeny tiny scrapes!

Have you ever had any scrapbook related injuries?
Oh man, have I ever! When I was doing the heritage album for my in-laws my then 1 year old son spilled ink everywhere, on the floor and on the pics. So in my freaking out mode I somehow managed to kneel down on some cutter bee scissors that slid into the side of my knee all the way to the bone. So then not only did I have ink everywhere but also blood. Ugh, it was HORRIBLE! It's been 2 years and I still can't laugh about it yet!

Give us your best storage or organizational idea.
This is definitely my ribbon storage. Got the idea from my MIL who got it from a Martha Stewart mag or something. It's cheap rain gutters from Home Depot spray painted copper, cut into 3' long and hung on my wall. Then I simply place my ribbon in and can see everything. How I love this!!!!

When you received your first publication/DT notification, who did you tell?
I definitely told my husband first, kinda like "see, I told you I'm not wasting all these hours!!!". lol... Then I told my scrapping buddies and family.

After answering the questions, tag four of your buddies.
Missy, April, Gen and Peg

Loving this Kate Teague Paper!

2006-02-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

The new kit at Scrapologie this month features the A2Z Essentials by Kate Teague. Can I just say how much I LOVED this paper?!?! It was so fun to use. I love it when certain papers just seem to make a LO come together all on their own. Here's what I did w/ them:

Ranjini does the best kits I've ever seen! So easy to get inspired...

One day I would love to design paper and embellishments like this. I just have no idea how to get started. I guess I'll just keep lurking around this scrapping biz and hope I figure it out! lol...

Do the Zoo...

2006-02-26T18:42:00.000-07:00

We had the best day at the zoo. It was so beautiful out, blue skies and mid-60's weather. So we took the boys to the zoo to run off some of that wild little boy energy that they seem to have an overabundance of.

It makes me so happy that we can finally go to the zoo now without a stroller or diapers...

YAY for the little joys!

I love lazy happy weekends like this. I know these are the times I'll remember as some of the happiest of my life. Now I'm off to watch some good Sunday night television! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend...

Color Me Silly!

2006-02-24T19:04:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I love this new paper by Basic Grey...

Just looking at it makes me happy! All those bright fun colors and combined in a way that goes together so well. The makers of Basic Grey are genius! Do they have a Design Team? and if they do why the heck am I not begging them to let me be on it!

Body Movin'!

2006-02-22T20:29:00.000-07:00

What's with little boys and the absolute inability to stand still for longer than 2 seconds?

These kids never stop! I look at them and wish I had just an ounce of their energy. Their little minds are like sponges, taking in absolutely EVERYTHING!

So here's a funny story... I took the boys to see Curious George last week. I was buying the tickets, and kids under 3 are free. So I tell the cashier that my kids are 2 and 4 (Caleb just turned 3 a few weeks ago) and my 4 year old totally called me out!!! In front of the cashier he said, "Caleb's not 2 mommy, he's 3 now!". I was so embarassed!!! Bad mommy, trying to sneak the kid into the theater. UGH! I definitely learned that lesson the hard way...

Here's a picture of my THREE year old! lol... He's such a monkey. Climbs up everything. We went to the mall today and I found him hanging underneath a clothing rack!!!

Okay, so this blog is definitely not going to be a good reference for me for mommy of the year... But look how sweet these little guys are!

Oh Yeah, I have a BLOG!

2006-02-20T13:47:00.001-07:00

Most people only blog once every ten days, right... Hee hee hee. I guess I'm just waiting for something exciting to happen to write about so I don't bore you guys to death w/ stories about my kids and shopping at Walmart. Yes, that's my life and I've gotta admit i LOVE it!

Does anyone remember playing with Tinker Toys? Well they're plastic now instead of wood (and much more colorful), but the same basics apply. And my kids LOVE them. They play with them all the time and make some really amazing stuff! Gotta love little boys...

I've been doing a ton of scrapping, but can't post them until the new kit at scrapologie is up. It's the coolest kit this month, soooo easy to scrap!

Okay, now I'm off again to go catch up on all my blogging buddies! Very short post, but sometimes I feel like I'm ALWAYS on the computer! lol...

But before I go, here's a LO I did for the Provo Craft booth at CHA. How I love me some Christina Cole paper, can't wait until her new stuff comes out!!!

LAZY Blogger!

2006-02-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

I've been so bad about keeping up w/ blogs this week! I have no excuse other than watching a lot of TV and getting a lot of LO's done. lol... After posting this though, I'm gonna go catch up on all my buddy's blogs!!!!

Here's what I've been doing all week:

Okay, bloglines here I come!!!!!

Memories of Vegas!

2006-02-02T13:50:00.000-07:00

WOW! I had the best time... I got to meet so many wonderful women who I truly call friends! I don't even know where to start. I arrived on Saturday and met up with Missy, Gabby and April (my Luxor roomies!). We did a lot of screaming and hugging and these girls are everything I knew they would be and more. Then on Sunday the four of us went cruising around Vegas, totally doing the tourist thing.
I laughed so much with these girls over the last 5 days! I can't imagine having better traveling companions... Then later that night we met up with Gen, Meghan and Kristi and had such a fun dinner. I've been wanting to meet this girls for so long!
Then on Monday we did the CHA thing! I met tons of women I've gotten to know online. It was so surreal actually getting to see them.
Here's a pic of me, Becky and Missy...
We're all in our eagerbeaver circle journal group together.

I also got to meet Alicia, who's my contact for the Provo Craft DT. She was so friendly and TALL! lol...
And guess who got to meet Heidi Swapp!!!! April, Missy and Gab played it really cool but I was all star struck, saying "omg, we love you so much" like a huge dork. I couldn't help myself!
We also ran into Cynthia, who is the cutest little thing!!! She's so funny, I was totally excited when I saw her.
Here's Meg, Kristi and Missy during our lunch break. How CUTE are they!
After lunch we ran into Kirsten and Nisa (also from the eagerbeaver CJ group). Needless to say, more screaming and hugging...
At the Fontwerks booth we ran into Laura (another eagerbeaver!), she's so tall and pretty! This was an awesome booth, everyone was totally friendly and their products ROCK!
Can someone please tell me why the heck I didn't get a pic of Jamie and Wendi????!!!! They are so very cute and fun and I have no pic to prove it! Boooo-hooooo!
Here's us with Amber, who seriously looks like a beautiful freaking model in person!!!! Such a sweet girl w/ tons of talent and looks to boot. NO FAIR! lol...
Here's the monorail ride home... oh man, we were POOPED! The girl with the most pain award definitely goes to Missy though. She wore new shoes which pretty much left her w/ no skin on the backs of her heels. -And being the little stud muffin she is, she didn't even complain or really tell us until we got back to the hotel!!!!!
Later that night we all went out w/ the Reality Scrapbook team. There was a huge turn out, including me, Missy, April, Gabby, Gen, Meg, Kristi, Kitty, Kirsten, Nisa, Cindy, Heather, Alexis and of course Laura and Tara who were so incredible to us all. Thank you Laura and Tara for making this all possible!!!
I just have to include this picture of me and Cindy, b/c this girl is a HOOT!!!!!!! Her laughter is totally infectious and I just loved her, we all did!

Here are just a couple more pics from that night I couldn't resist including! Look April, I used the diffuse glow on us!!! Whoooo hooooo!

I'd never had a mojito until this night, and I've gotta say I'm now officially hooked. Prickly Pear Mojito.... YUMMY!

I can't possibly leave out this pic of the fabulous miss Nisa w/ me and Missy. This girl can take pics like no one's business!!!! and she's so freaking cute w/ those glasses and red hair... Kirsten was likewise a cutie! So tiny and cute. Why can't these girls all live closer!!!!
After dinner we walked over to the Bellagio and watched the water show. Vegas is amazing at night!!!
Missy, me and Gen... What can I say girls? Other than you know how important you are to me and you guys were even more special than I could have ever imagined. I'm lucky to call you friends.
This was such an amazing trip for me... I will never forget meeting these girls and I have no doubt that we'll have to get together again, hopefully soon.

I love you guys!!!!!