I love ShutterFLy.com

This year much like last year I have been busy at work creating our family's Holiday Card.
Shutterfly has come up with some amazing designs that help me save time, and tell our story just the way we want-Creative and Cute.
I hope you fall in love with Shutterfly just like I did. PSST there are a lot of freebies to be had--You'll be hooked in no time.
Here is a link where you can go view my card this year.

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Shutterfly DEAL. Psst. Pass it along

Boy oh boy do I love shutterfly.com. Since 20079 i have coverted from Paper Scrapbooking to DIGITAL. I love how easy thier photobooks are to do and great they come out looking.

I have found also that Shutterfly.com has ramped up their designs for Personalized cards. I have made several for my Mom and sisters. They love getting them n the mail for thier birthday and mothers Day. Check out this link to find your favorite design too. to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

CHristmas time is an awesome time to send holiday greeting and a family pic to frends and family. CLik here to find which design fits your family photo the best.


http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards

Last years 2009 Grandparent gift, a personalized photo calendar, was a huge hit. I think every month when the new picture was displayed I received a call saying thankyou for the great gift. They loved being reminded of their long distant grandchildren. it was so easy too. I think I decided to make the gift last minuet. I made it in one day and they arrived just in time for christmas day. I'm not a procrastinator or anything ;)
Try to make your last minuet gifts here to delight all your Nanas and Papas too


http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/wall-calendars

Hope you are as excited as sharing your scrapbooks and gifts through Shutterfly as I am.

1 Nephi 17

Last night while I was reading the book of Mormon I was comforted by the spirit and reaffirmed my admiration for Nephi. In this chapter he gives a great pep talk having faith in the Lord. Beleiving that He will prepare the way we should go even when the way seems dark and unknown. I loved how he taught his doubting brothers this principle by reminding them of how the Lord lead previous prophets-mainly Moses and the Egyptians to refine them and striten them with his rod.

vs 30 "and nothwithstanding they being led, the Lord their God, their Redeemer, going before them, leading them by day and giving light unto them by night and doing all theings for them which were expedient for man to receive, they .....hardened their hearts and blinded their minds against moses and the true and living God."...He is true to his word. vs31 According to his word He DID destroy them and according to his word he DID lead them" He did everything according to his word.
vs35 The Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God...vs40 He loveth those who will have him to be thier God"

Just as he lead the Egyptians he will lead ME according to his word.

"And I will be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led."

Where is my promised Land?

vs38 He leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth.."

I supposed it is anywhere where I feel safe and supported by other righteous people the Lord has also lead here.

Lydia cracks us all up

Lydia is so funny--and she knows it. She can make herself laugh. I think her own laugh makes her laugh. and seeing us all laughing only Encourages her even more to be silly.
Tonight a dinner she didn't eat any dinner, but she did learn how to crawl in and out of her highchair all by herself. She used the foot rest as a step and up she went. Getting down was a little bit a challenge at first but with a few times as practice she was a pro. I am amazed that when she is focused on trying something she can hurt herself in the process and not even cry. tough cookie

Joy ful Journey

I love it when Austin Says you're Beautiful MOm. It is amazing how a sweet and simple compliment can brighten up my world. I love Austin TOO

Lydia Says Mammma

It is so cute when Lydia calls me Mammma. She knows just how to get my attention. SHe calls my name and then comes to pat me on the leg-saying "Come mom I need your Help"

Lydia's new game

Everyday i am caught off guard at how smart Lydia is. SHe is constantly watching and trying to emulate how we do everything. Sometimes she is able to copy on the first try. I am surprised how if she watches my lips when I say a word she is able to say her version of the word much more clearly. "baby" she now says each sylable more distinct. Bay-bee

I don't know what it is about me but i love to bite. Lydia and I play a game where I try to bite her fingers (gently) when she puts them close to my mouth. Well tonight she started getting tricky. She started putting her finger on the outside of my lips where it is harder to grab her finger and now she is able to yank her fingers away fast enough so that I can not catch them in my teeth. Litttle sneaker.
It sure makes her laugh when she thinks she has beat me at our little game.

A Pretty Chocolate Cupcake

I have a decorating tool that is so fun to use. It makes regular cupcakes and cookies look like I bought them at the store bakery.

Over the summer I got hooked on watching a TLC show called "Cake Boss" I am truly amazed at what these artists can create. Maybe you'll be hooked too. http://http//tlc.discovery.com/search/results.html?focus=video&query=cake+boss&search.x=24&search.y=5

I really thought that the cake we chose the make for Lydia's birthday, the cupcake kingdom, would turn out looking like like the Cake Boss made it. Even just watching the show I learned some skills and inside scoop to the cake decorating world. I have to admit i was quite proud of myself-tackling such a large cake project with very little experience in cake decorating.

Lydia's First In-and-Out Day

It's amazing that a piece of meat between two buns tastes way better than a piece of hamburger on your highchair tray.

We discovered that Lydia loves hamburgers. Really what kid doesn't. She had a great time when we took her to In and Out burger with us.

Kudos To Jeannette

I have to take a second to pat myself on the back. During the last few years I have been very dependant on going to the Gym in order to fit daily exercise in. Since moving to Surprise the gym loved going to (LIFETIME) is just a bit too far for a daily trip. So I've decided to save gas and time by exercising each morning after the kids are off to the school bus.



Woo HOO We are 6 weeks in to my plan and so far I have been able to keep my commitment. YEAH!!!. I buckle Lydia into the jogger stroller, plug into my mp3 player, load up with water and baby treats and away we go. I actually look forward to our explorations now.



So far my running route consists of weaving in and out of our neighbor hood streets exploring. Sometimes I venture out into other neighborhoods, but so far this has kept me satisfied. I'm like a human GPS- for my subdivision. I know those streets like the back of my hand. Now when new friends move into the ward and tell me their address I know exactly where it is, how to get there and can even picture the style of house they probably live it. I'm such a snoop.



It is still REALLY hot here in the mornings--at least 85 degrees when I head out with the sun beating down on us-That is partly why I am so proud of myself for being so consistent, the neighbors think I'm crazy I'm sure- since it's like a ghost town here in the summer. No one goes outside. I'm hoping that by the time the weather is PERFECT here and snowing everywhere else, I will have a great habit established that I can stick to.

Your extra encouragement is always welcome :)

Pool Fun

I am Very sure that the saftey instructions on the box the pool came in specifically said that this was NOT safe, but we have fun doing it anyways. Knock on wood..no one has been hurt yet.

I hope you are sending prayers of safety on our behalf. :)

Riley's Flip off the ladder Austin front flip off the ladder