PL2019 - Week 34

The summer of driving.

Literally, from our road trip in July, to getting Mason behind the wheel as much as possible. 

He has finished his driver training, and we're now waiting somewhat  p a t i e n t l y  for his license test day to arrive. Because we booked it several weeks ago and have weeks to wait. Literally, we're waiting  w e e k s... 

Any way, no big deal, all the more time to practice. 

Here is my layout for week 34: 

• Mason driving. Everywhere. He's become so much more comfortable in the driver seat.
• Last day of Ultimate Frisbee. It was something we decided on last minute, and she had a blast. 
• First hair cut in months. They took off so much hair, and there is still so much left. 
• Bike riding with Brooklyn, with bunny ears on of course. #SoMadelyn
• Camping with Ama, Baba & Uncle Chris. You had so much fun going on quad rides. 
• August birthday celebrations. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used:

Celebrate Kit: https://the-lilypad.com/store/celebrate-kit.html

Celebrate J. Cards: https://the-lilypad.com/store/celebrate-journal-cards.html

Meeting a Princess

Sahlin Studio just released another awesome princess kit, called Project Mouse (Princess) Spirited, click on this link to check it out.

It's been a while since we've been to Disneyland. 8 years, as a matter of fact, but the moment I saw this, I knew I had to create a pocket page for my album. 

You guys... Little Madelyn in these photos slays me... She is now on the cusp of looking at me eye to eye. [She is of course, anticipating the day she's taller than I am, and she's so very close] 

I had so much fun looking through our Disney photos again. It was such a great trip. 

The day at the park, we had spent a long time in line, waiting to meet Princesses. When we got there, we were a bit disappointed to meet Princesses we weren't familiar with. Tatiana of Princess and the Frog, a movie I hadn't and still haven't ever seen. Mulan, again, another princess and movie I was unfamiliar with. Then Belle... 

Meeting Belle was lovely, but we'd had an 'experience' watching Beauty and the Beast. Let's just say, that when we got to the part of the movie that the townspeople were after the beast, Madelyn became hysterical, like SOBBING UNCONTROLLABLY UPSET. So much so, that we had to turn the movie off... So there's that. [She has since seen the movie in it's entirety, and rolls her eyes at me when I remind her of her 'antics'] I just hoped seeing Belle at the happiest place on earth wouldn't trigger that particular memory...

After leaving the princesses, we made our way back towards the castle to meet back up with the boys. 

As we rounded a quiet corner, Ariel was walking right towards us! I couldn't believe it! She stopped and immediately crouched down, to talk with Madelyn, to get to her level. 

Disney hires the most incredible people. I hope they know how much they themselves make dreams come true. For Madelyn and I, this was definitely a highlight of the trip. [Because not long after came Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother] We were in the right place at the right time, lucky us. 

I love that I have these memories to look back at. 

I hope we get the chance to get back to Disneyland soon.

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Princess-Ariel-Kit.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Princess-Ariel-Cards.html

PL2019 - Weeks 32 & 33

I'm enjoying being back into routine again. 

Summer vacation, though wonderful, definitely messes up all my good intentions. 

Thought I did get a number of things finished on my to-do list, so that's not all bad. 

I'm here to share these two weeks of my project life album. 

Week 32: 

• Celebrating Baba's birthday with brunch and cupcakes. [So everyone could make the celebration]
• Got after sorting out books in the basement. It was a very big job. 
• Love the ivy's that hang by my front door. 
• Enjoying sunset, in our front room.
• Barry and I playing a game of cards in the kitchen.  

Week 33:

She still gets excited to hear the ice cream truck. I just love that about her. 

Playing 'where's Libby'.

The hair on this boy. Can't believe how long it is, or how much body it has.

Mad and Ama - a trip down to the new library. 

The last plumbing project on the main floor, has been completed. 

Busy weekend of 3-on-3 tourney with the National Ringette school. 

A cooler day today, and our lawn mower is certainly dressed for it. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

Week 32

Charmed Kit Sampler: https://the-lilypad.com/store/CHARMED-Kit-Sampler.html

Photo Templates Vol. 1: https://the-lilypad.com/store/4x6-Photo-Templates-Vol-1.html

Week 33

Snapshot Photo Templates - https://the-lilypad.com/store/Snapshots-Photo-Templates.html

Everyday Routine Kit: https://the-lilypad.com/store/the-everyday-routine-kit.html

Everyday Routine - J. Cards: https://the-lilypad.com/store/the-everyday-routine-journal-cards.html

Epic Road Trip - Part 3

We decided to drive from Las Vegas to San Francisco in one day. Initially we'd planned to do this in two days, but I stumbled across this place in Vegas, called Tahiti Village Resort and thought it was exactly what we needed for a day of downtime.  I'm not going to lie. The pool and lazy river were major factors in this decision. Because we all know Vegas isn't exactly the kind of place that is super kid friendly...

This was the longest driving leg of the trip. A full day in the car, with limited stops. 

We decided to get an early start [much to the alarm of the kids] we were on the road by 5 am, which was an amazing feat, especially for us. We should have received a reward of some kind.  

And I'm so glad we did... We drove on a 6 lane, one direction freeway for over an hour... By 6 am, the morning rush hour was in full force, by that time, we were finally getting away from the congestion. I'm sure if we'd waited until later to leave, that same drive would have taken us twice as long, crawling along with the morning traffic.  

We watched the temperature climb higher and higher as we got closer to Vegas. I'm not going to lie, I was alarmed... The ole girl [our vehicle] isn't used to temps in the high 40's. Neither is this ole girl for that matter... When you touch the window of the car and nearly burn your fingers.... Well, you know it's hot. There was a light cloud cover, so the temp only got up to 45 degrees Celsius, that's me being sarcastic. I have never been more thankful for cloud cover.  

On paper, the 7 Magic Mountains, wasn't far out of Vegas. But after driving for 8 1/2 hours, in 40+ degree heat, we didn't want to take a chance and stop. Luckily we got a photo on the way by. One photo. Because immediately after I took this picture, a train drove in front of the rocks. 

We arrived in Las Vegas at 2:30. The drive ended up taking less time than we anticipated. It was the only drive that did. All other drives, took longer than expected. We were thrilled to be able to check in early and be greeted with this view out our window.

We wasted no time getting in some well deserved R'nR.

Best margarita ever.

We did end up going down to the strip on our second night.

We woke up our second morning in Vegas to light rain and a thunder storm. We headed east towards the Hoover Dam. It took us about 45 minutes to get there. It was overcast, but it was H O T. 38 degrees Celsius, and super humid. We found a great parking spot, and checked out the dam.  I had done some research regarding dam tours, but we were all so stink'in hot. Our clothes were all sticking to us. We had a look around and headed back to the car air conditioning... No one really interested in hanging around.

We arrived that afternoon in Flagstaff. We found the neatest little pub for dinner. They had games to play while you were waiting for your meal. They also were having a trivia night when we got there. It got busier and busier with people showing up to play. Very cool vibe in Flagstaff. A place I'd definitley like to spend a bit more time in.

The next day was the Grand Canyon tour we'd booked.

It was pretty amazing.

The fact that there are very few places with guard rails, made me extremely nervous. My kids made fun of me a lot because of that. But that's why someone falling over the edge is called an 'accident'. No one goes there with the intent to plunge to their death. Well, mostly no one. Perhaps some do. 

It was beautiful. Photos don't do it justice. It's breathtaking and awesome. 

September Template Freebie - Bryce Canyon

As the first of the month rolls around, so too, does the template freebie from Sahlin Studio. [To download the layout for yourself, follow this link] This is what it looks like. 

I'm always so excited to download the newest template, it makes telling my story, and capturing my pictures, so easy.  

My plan is to make a photo book of our vacation. I foresee adding photos from our trip, along with the occasional layout. 

I don't plan on adding much text, along with the photos. I think it will be just the basic facts. Of course, my mind may change... 

Here is one such layout that I will be adding to my photo book. I love how it turned out. 

The following Sahlin Studio product was used: 

Summer Stories Kit: https://the-lilypad.com/store/SS-Summer-Stories-Kit.html

PL2019 - Week 31

This weeks layout was super quick and easy. I selected a journal card, some paper a few elements to put this weeks page together. 

I'm a firm believer in pictures telling the story. I only added words over top of two of the photos. 

Less is more sometimes. 

I can't believe as I'm posting this layout, week 31, my kids are officially back to school.

Grades 12 and 9... 

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't the least bit melancholy about that... Especially after seeing this photo yesterday...  

This is a screenshot of one of my older layouts. I have the original of course, but can't find the digital version, so a screenshot it is. 

And I still love it as much now, six years later... What? Six. Years. Later. How? 

Where oh where did that little dude go? It honestly seems like it was just yesterday. 

Apple Orchard is this months featured product. It is 40% off through September. It's great for back to to school layouts.  Check out Apple Orchard by following this link. 

Sniff. It's okay, I'm pulling myself back together.  

On to week 31: 

• Getting started on the second puzzle of the summer. 
• Those headphones on that girl. It's all I see day and night. 
• Morning vs afternoon.  
• Libby, simply living her best life. 
• Madelyn helping Grandma sweep the patio. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

Charmed Kit Smapler: https://the-lilypad.com/store/CHARMED-Kit-Sampler.html

Photo Templates Vol. 1: https://the-lilypad.com/store/4x6-Photo-Templates-Vol-1.html

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