Backpacks...............

This is how we organize the kids back packs in the foyer.
I got little wooden letters and painted them to match our colors. I actually had to buy two packs of letters to get all the A's!
Rob found these 3 prong hooks at Home Depot. They work great because you can hang your other items on the other two hooks. (Jackets, hats, umbrellas, lunch bags, etc.)

This system works really well for us. The kids put their bags here after they get home- and I clean them out from the day. After their homework is complete- they put it or anything else that needs to be returned into their bags. The next morning it is all ready to go and grab on the way out the door!

Twilight Tuesday Inspiration Challenge #11.........

The theme this week is:
"A Very Cullen Christmas"
Picked by the talented TTIC Design Team Member: Rebecca


I made two cards for this week. They are both pretty similar.
Here is the first one:



I went out and got myself a pack of transparency paper- after seeing all the fun things Tonya was making with them! It is great stuff to add to your collection. I have been busy making all sorts of fun stuff that I will be posting soon! And in case you did not notice......Tonya went and got all PERSONAL on us! Make sure you check out her new site!
The fun little labels are PDF's you can download and print out here and here at Mel's wonderful blog. Make sure you spend some time when you go there. You are gonna need it! She has some great templates and tutorials there for you!
Here is what the rest of the design team did. Make sure you go check out their weekly projects too!

• Beth {Stampin Insanity}
• Dani {County Your Beautiful Blessings}
• Jen {Deconstructing Jen}
• Julie {Stars Fall Creations}
• Margie {Oh, Bumble is Margie}
• Rebecca {Bella Carta}
• Tonya {Stamp Happens}

And remember if you want to play along with us- here is the link. There are some new rules and prize giveaway info. So make sure you check it out!

One Of My First Scrapbook Layouts..........

I thought this would make you all laugh...............
One of my first scrapbook layouts.
Notice how sticker HAPPY I was............
And NO journaling....still need to go back and do that!
I have learned my lesson since then. I always journal my pages now!

Friday Favorite Five..............

Okay I thought it would be fun to show you all the cars I have owned. Most of you that I know will remember some of these. Holli- I think you remember all of them!
Keep in mind these are not pics of my original cars- just ones that I found that look like them. (Colors are accurate.)

My FIRST car. I paid 900.00 dollars for it. A Mustang Mach 1. This car barely ran- but I loved it! The thing I remember most about this car is the way it smelled! Oh yeah, and the HEAVY doors. If I was leaning into the car and the door came back and hit me in the butt- it would literally send me FLYING into the car!

My next car was a Honda Prelude. My first stick shift. I LOVED this car! I would roll all the windows down and open the sun-roof. It was as close to a convertible as I could get at 18!

Next came my Sahara Jeep Wrangler. I think this one was my favorite! Have I said that yet??? Except that I lived in Washington- so every time I took the hard top it would rain! I remember driving home to Vancouver from Seattle in the rain. Lisa- you know that is a LONG drive- then add the rain! Got my first and only speeding ticket in this one! Good times! The good times Jeep was about to blow up- seriously. So I traded it in for :
A 1996 Pontiac Grand Am. A few of my friends had this car. (Holli and Tiff) I had driven both their cars and liked how they drove. It was practical, a little sporty, and cheap. Let me clarify .......this car was ALWAYS breaking down! Rob and I dumped I don't even know how much money into this stupid car. Before it even hit 80,000 miles mind you. NEVER again will I get a Pontiac.Rob brought his Chevy Tahoe with him to the marriage. I liked this truck. He took the above car to commute, and I drove the truck. It was a tank- but I liked it!

Then we went and had lots of babies- and had to get a minivan! Yep- it happens to the best of us. This van was wonderful for having three in car seats and infant seats. Only problem was it had two transmissions that failed on us! And we bought it brand new. However- even still we really liked Chrystler.
So we went to test drive the new Aspen............and this is what we came home with. I love this truck! All the features are awesome- and make driving more fun and practical for our family.The Pontiac finally died- or maybe we got tired of dumping all our money into it. Rob got a new commuter...... Volvo s60. This is a wonderful 2nd car for us.

Okay- that is my car life. I could go on and on with more car stories and drama.......
It is funny how cars come into our lives- how they are sometimes so hard to let go. (My first car!!!!) The memories they hold (trips, babies, etc.)

What was your favorite car?

Advent..........

Just wanted to share how we do Christmas advent. I don't have our large calendar up yet. I will post another picture once I have that up and together. These are our advent goody bags. I go to Wishing Well and purchase little trinkets for the kids. I wrap them in a white lunch bag (notice how I ran out- and had to go to the ugly brown bag!) I then put them in a decorative goody sack, label it with date and kids initial. That way they always know who's turn it is!
Last year I got REALLY creative- and hand stamped all the bags. This year I wanted to save time- and remembered them TEARING open my hand stamped bags!
I put them around the mirror above the fire. The Advent calender goes on the mantel - in front of the mirror.
The kids REALLY enjoy this. It is a fun and cheap way for them to get a little goody every night before Christmas!

Twilight Tuesday Inspiration Challenge #10.............

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

You are thoughtful and care very deeply for your family. A loving home is of great

importance to you and you always try to make people feel welcome. Although you have a great capacity to love, you also have a great capacity to hurt, so at times you can be

sensitive. You're firm when you need to be, but people trust your judgment and

appreciate the kind way you always handle things.

My Esme project. I re-used this Prima jar that had flowers. Soaked the labels off and ran it through the dishwasher. (Not the lid.) I then covered it with paper & embellished it.
Of course Esme would include some chocolate for whoever is to get this adorable little jar!

This is an exciting week. The TTIC design team has grown to include the following lovely and talented ladies. Make sure you go check out their weekly projects too!

• Beth {Stampin Insanity}
• Dani {County Your Beautiful Blessings}
• Jen {Deconstructing Jen}
• Julie {Stars Fall Creations}
• Margie {Oh, Bumble is Margie}
• Rebecca {Bella Carta}
• Tonya {Stamp Happens}

And remember if you want to play along with us- here is the link. There are some new rules and prize giveaway info. So make sure you check it out!

Another Refreshed................

Make sure you go check out the Green Tangerines blog here if you have not already!