Layout: "Lesson Learned"

This is the story of Gabriel's experience with the dysfunctional judicial system we have here in the US. Really, a twelve year old CHILD goes through the court system for ONE incident because he had enough with some mouthy bully in school. He pushed the kid down and got 3 punches in. Besides a small bump on the back of his head where he hit the floor, the kid was not injured. My son got suspended for 7 days, sent to the alternative school for the rest of the school year, dragged through court, served 25 hours of community service and remains on indefinite probation. While "professionals" at the school and the judge also bullied him and downright LIED. While REAL criminals walk free, a CHILD who made a CHILDISH choice was punished severely. No wonder the world is what it is - a scary place.

Digital Kit: "Busted" by Kristin Aagard Designs

Layout: "Putt Putt"

Miniature golf with our little ones. (All of the teens said they were going, but opted out at the last minute ... grrr...)

Digital Kit: "Putt Putt" by Chelle's Creations.

Layout: "Little Horses"

My mom took the boys and my niece to "The Land of Little Horses" in Gettysburg for a fun day trip.

Digital Kit: "Barnyard Buddies" by Kay Miller Designs.

Layout: "Christmas 2011"

Finally finishing up my Christmas layouts with the family one. This Christmas was extra special as we splurged and bought the older kids some big surprises - xBoxes with Kinect for Christian and Gabriel and iPod Touches for Abigail and Caleb. I wanted to do something surprising for them since it won't be long before they are all grown up.

Digital Kit: "Merry Christmas" by Kristin Aagard Designs.

Layout: "Evolution"

I rarely have photos of me, so I thought it would be fun to do a little gallery of my hairstyles from the past 16 months. After nearly 40 years (gulp - am I really that old?), I still haven't figured out quite what to do with it.

Digital Kit: "Hair Day" by Kristin Aagard Designs

Layout: "Typical Day"

This is a layout of a "typical day" (is there really such a thing?) from September 2011.

Digital Kit: Unknown.

Layout: "Track Star"

I was so proud of Caleb when he joined the track team this year. He may not have actually been a "star" by winning the meets, but he was a star in my eyes for persevering, never giving up and never complaining.

Digital Kit: "iGive" by Suzy Q Scraps.

Layout: "Create"

Abigail and Gabriel helped Duane build a deck for the pool. Now we're just waiting for the weather to say warm enough to swim.

Digital Kit: "Construction Zone" by Kristin Aagard Designs.

Layout: "Pride"

Thurman surprised us when he wanted his training wheels removed, then he surprised us even more when he learned to ride all by himself after just a few hours!

Digital Kit: "Parks and Recreation" by Kristin Aagard Designs.

Layout: "Official Teenager"

I now have four official teenagers living in my house. Pray for me!

Digital Kit: "Birthday Wishes" by Kristin Aagard.

Layout: "Fractured"

No, it's not deja vu. Christian wrecked yet again on his bike. That's bike as in bicycle. Thank God it was nothing motorized.

Digital Kit: "Fix Me Up, Doc" by Kristin Aagard Designs.

Layout: "Hippity Hoppity"

Digital Kit: "Hippity Hoppity" by Kristin Aagard Designs.

Layout: "Gobble Gobble"

I don't normally do Thanksgiving layouts (because I'm usually too busy to remember to take photos). I did remember to take some pics this time. I needed an excuse to get this adorable kit!

Digital Kit: "Gobble Gobble" by Kristin Aagard Designs.

 

Layout: "Gingerbread Haunted House"

I loved watching Gabriel and Abigail work together to make this Halloween-themed gingerbread house. They no sooner got it together and let me take a few photos before they dismantled it and began snacking! The layout was fun - I used a gingerbread-themed kit and added some "devilish" accents to the cute little gingerbread men!

Digital Kits: "Gingeriffic" by Just So Scrappy. Devil accents from "Jailbird" by Kristin Aagard Designs.

Layout: "Rub a Dub Dub"

I don't know exactly how or why this started, but the boys love having Grandma wash them up - in the sink!

Digital Kit: "Squeaky Clean" by Lyndsay Riches Designs & Ziggles Designs.

PS - Kim: Two words - grow up. (Go stalk someone else.)