Happy Halloween

Alaina loves HALLOWEEN!

She loves ALL Holidays (as you can tell if you ever read her blog)

She loves coming up with amazing and unique costumes

This year she decided to be someone living out of their briefcase

I wish I knew how to get better pictures of all the little details that she put into this

Click on the pictures to see them bigger

Then try to figure out all the fun items she included

Who ever comments with the most accurate list gets a prize!

(tbd)

Sami even tolerates getting dressed up for Halloween

She sits in the living room with us while we pass out candy to all the trick-or-treaters who stop by

I enjoy decorating for fall.

Alaina likes to kick it up a notch and decorate for Halloween.

This year we didn't get pumpkins

(I was sick, Rob was too busy)

Instead of Jack-o-Lantern's

Alaina put out hanging lanterns along the walkway

She added bats and cobwebs to the wreath on the front door

(excuse the sideways picture, somehow Blogger rotated it and I don't feel like messing with it tonight)

Cute pumpkins and Cobwebs add to the ambience

Yes, that IS a Haunted Castle hanging in my house with a large Snake guarding the stairs

Why do you ask?

This little guy used to hold candy for trick-or-treaters 

Alaina decided he needed to be a little more Rock & Roll

Dead Roses are the final crowning touch to the

Decor of the Day

We got many compliments on our house

and passed them all on to Alaina

when she got home from trick-or-treating with her friends

I wonder what our house will look like next year when a certain someone isn't here to decorate for us?

A New Hobby for ME

I've wanted to try digital scrapbooking for a long time.  I had myself convinced that I needed to purchase Just The Right Software - and had no idea what that was. 

I'd read reviews online, I'd ask the young moms in the ward what they were using. 

I never felt like I had the extra $$$ needed to buy the "recommended" software so I never moved forward.

This morning I was browsing around DigitalScrapbookPlace and discovered (in the tutorials) that I can use Microsoft Digital ImagePro (which, unfortunately, has been discontinued) for digital scrapbooking! 

Hallelujah! 

I don't have to spend $50 (or more) on software because I've been using ImagePro for years and years.  It's my go to Photo Editor and I know how to use it
and
I love it.

I got a free download (love, love, love Gifts!) for registering with Digital Scrapbook Place which included background paper and fun elements.

I am pleased to present my very first digital layout. 

in case you can't read the text it says ...

After a cool and rainy summer, it was nice to have some warm days as Alaina kicked off her senior year.  She has always loved being able to take advantage of opportunities to read outside.

Photo Fun

Our Artist

as art

Our TechGuy

in technology

Try your own at PhotoFunia

Happy Birthday

Eighteen years ago today, we welcomed Alaina Luise into our family, our home and our hearts. We have been charmed with her since day one and will continue to be throughout eternity. How glad I am that we have eternity with our family.

Alaina, there are so many things that I love about you.  I love your personality, your wit, your imagination and creativity, your intelligence, your sensitivity, your loyalty, the unflappable way you control your destiny, your love of language, your style, your confidence, your positive attitude, your spirit, your faith.

Alaina has always had an affinity for animals.  Even as an infant she preferred stuffed animals to dolls.

Alaina embraces her innate creativity and finds multiple ways to express it.

When she was young she surprised us with her ability to use and understand words that were way beyond the normal vocabulary for children her age.  She made up stories and poems and freely shared them.  She also made up unanswerable questions and INSISTED on answers.

She always preferred making up songs and arrangements to practicing the piano. 

She laughs with unabashed delight when something tickles her fancy.

Alaina relishes traditions and holidays and plans for them with GUSTO. 

Alaina OWNS her Uniqueness and Style and is more comfortable in her skin than almost anyone I know.

Family is, and always has been an integral part of Alaina's life.  She treats close friends like family too. 

Alaina, You Rule!

I Love You

Validation

Do you have an extra 15 minutes in your day to spare?

What if I promised that you'd have a big smile on your face at the end of the 15 minutes?

Try it.

You'll like it. 

Then,
pass it on.