Verbally Challenged

Some fun photos from yesterday! We ventured on up to art district early in the morning. We went there last year and had an awesome time…it’s like a mini African Safari in the middle of the Arizona desert. So cool! And we’ll probably go back next year. It’s neat seeing the park improve and grow. And Liam really enjoys riding in the unimog and seeing the animals up close AND feeding the giraffes. What a fun time! I highly recommend it if you’re ever near the Phoenix area (or north of it)!

Our unimog…or school bus as Liam calls it.

And I don’t know if every three year old does this but lately Liam has been remembering everything from our vacation last year and saying that it was yesterday. He calls the unimog a school bus and all week he has been saying “remember when we rode the school bus yesterday”…well it was at least 10 months ago on our vacation LAST YEAR! And restaurants, he remembers certain ones as soon as we walk into them and brings up the strangest thing – and yep it happened yesterday (but not really). So we’ve concluded that “yesterday” means anything from birth to today. It’s not really accurate and really hard to figure out what he’s talking about sometimes! Oy.

Have a great day!

I’m ticking and starting to shake. I NEED to create something!!! Am I enjoying vacation time with my family – YOU BET! But would I love to cut and paste a little bit of paper right now – ABSOLUTELY! I think that my problem is being up before my family with time on my hands. I’ve enjoyed the sunrise, surfed the internet, checked my email and there is NOTHING on television worth watching. I’ve read my book and now…I need to create. I’ve been jotting down ideas and sketching while on the trip – it’s starting to not be enough. And last night as we were driving to a super cool art district in downtown Scottsdale (more on this later) when we passed a Recollections (I don’t have one back home) and I HAD to go inside. I literally had to. I’ll be shipping a box of stuff home that I’ve purchased over the past two weeks (no not all scrapbook related) so it’s all good, right?

Now, back to the art district. A friend of ours recommended we visit the art district in downtown Scottsdale. It was a little piece of heaven! A place that we never knew existed! And lucky for us we went on a Thursday night – the only night that they stay open until 9 for the Art Walk! With blocks and blocks of galleries, you can’t help but find a few pieces that you love. Nate and I found one the we adored – an artist whose name I can’t remember right now – I’ll get back to you on this one. We loved one of his really big pieces and two smaller ones. I’m calling home today to have someone measure for the large piece. If it fits the space, I think that we’re buying it. I’ll link the piece here later once I get that name. We’re hoping to visit next week again during the day when more galleries are open.

On another creative note, I’m participating in this really fun event thanks to Nisa! Scroll down a little bit to see Art for Alex. It’s a super good cause – the story just breaks my heart.

Have a great day and create something…for me please?

More photos from sunny Arizona! It is so beautiful here and I can’t tell you how nice it is to have predicable weather. I was online yesterday reading about different things to do and ran across an article that said there are 350 sunny days here in Arizona. I am just amazed by that! Sunny days mean a happy Marla. I seriously think that I’m one of those people who sufferer in the winter months without enough sunlight – I can’t think of the condition right now but that’s me!!! Guess I’ll have to SAFELY soak up as much as I can while I’m here!!!

So I have some photos from Sunday. I didn’t take too many yesterday because we had a really mellow day and just relaxed.

Sunday we hit the pool for a few hours (that’s a lot for the little dude). While I don’t love this photo because of all the shadows I still like seeing him with his new buddy!

We took a walk around the condo and pool area while waiting for lunch.

And we hit a LITTLE amusement park called Enchanted Island in the evening. We met another super nice couple there with a three year old little boy and get this – they live less than five minutes away from us in Pittsburgh! Crazy stuff. We exchanged numbers and will get the boys together to play this summer. I love meeting new people!!! Anyway – Liam had a ball even though he was a little on the tired side.

And then I finally got a photo for Miss Kate Teague’s challenge! The idea was to take a photo of yourself in a reflective surface. I was hoping to come across something a little more unique but we weren’t out much on Sunday. I snapped this one while we were walking around the condo area waiting for lunch by the pool. It’s a huge glass wall with people working out in the gym on the other side – I wonder what they were thinking as I snapped a photo their way! Anyway it’s the fam and I with our swim and cover up gear on! Now you can see how….short…I am!!! Thanks for the challenge Kate!!!

Have a great day!!!

OK kids – take away all sorts of responsibility to the animals, housekeeping, garden, editors and guess what – I have time for a blog! LOL AND I have time to play with photos and journal and get ideas down onto paper…I could get used to this. It’s really pretty nice. Actually what is REALLY nice is getting up at six am (did I just say that). It’s about an hour before my boys due to the time change. I can sit and enjoy the morning sun, read a little bit and just enjoy a clear head. Now if I woke up this early at home, I’d be running around feeding all of the animals and then finishing up some type of scrap project that was sitting on my desk. Do I enjoy scrapping, you bet. Do I think that maybe sometimes I should step back and take on some quiet time, absolutely. If anything, this vacation is reminding me that I don’t have to fill every minute with something. It’s nice to take a moment to yourself and just enjoy. Crazy stuff.

On another note – I purchased a new lens before we left. I’ve wanted a better zoom for a long time! So I got this:

Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D AF-ED

It’s an AMAZING lens! Well worth the wait and the money if you ask me (although it is a bit heavy). But the auto focus seems to be really good and the wide aperture makes it even better! I’ve been doing a lot of business photo shoots for Nate’s company so that’s helping me justify the cost a bit!

I was able to use it at the zoo yesterday. I could get so close! AND it’s great for the three year old who runs way too far ahead and THINKS he’s way away from the camera! Ha ha. Here is a sampling of what I got!

I LOVE that they have a little splash park in the zoo for the kiddos to cool off!!!

We did a little shopping after Liam’s nap and stopped off at a local play area on the way home. Liam likes to feed the ducks and check out the fountain. Last night folks are camped out just to watch the fountain…not sure I get that one! They had blankets and coolers – Nate and I thought there was going to be a little concert or fireworks or something. Nope, just people waiting to watch the fountain. Interesting.

So Liam did a little playing, we went for ice cream and headed home. It was a full day…but an awesome one!

Enjoy yours!

Still alive and kicking although the heat had threatened to take me down! I won’t lie, it’s hot here! Usually in the 100’s during the day but honestly, I LOVE IT! The skies are blue and it’s just beautiful. AND it’s a dry heat, no humidity that I’m used to. I really do love it here.

Yesterday was awesome. We went to the pool and hung out for a bit – LOADED up with sunscreen. Liam was in full gear with a hat, swim shirt, shorts, swim shoes…poor guy. He looked darned cute though and he’s safe! That’s the more important part I guess. I just did a layout about the swim gear before I left (he was like this last year too) – I don’t have it with me though. Ah well. I can always add it later.

We also went to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. They have a little mile long train ride that you can do, a carrousel and really cool covered playground. We stopped there to play after Liam’s nap and then went to shop afterwards. Fun stuff!!!

Who knows what’s on the schedule for today. Perhaps a cute little amusement park in the city that’s only open on weekends. I don’t know if we’re up for driving too much distance yet – we’ll see.

More from me later!

Oh, and if there is anyone from Arizona reading who I haven’t driven away with boredom yet (or one who knows the Phoenix and surrounding area) – I’m open to hear any suggestions you may have for things to do! We had a little list from last year but it’s always great to find something new!!!

We have arrived in beautiful Arizona. The sun is shining, the skies are blue – NO RAIN! I love it. I was up at five am here today (three hour time different so that’s really sleeping in for me if you go to PA time) – I sat on the patio and watched the sun come up – the temperature was perfect! I watched a hummingbird feed and birds play off in the distance – it’s just lovely. It’s definitely a place that I could call home.

Our flight went REALLY well. I say this a lot and I’ll say it again, three is a good age – almost a magical age. Liam was fantastic in the airport. He sat and waited for the plane eating a lollipop (a VERY special treat for him) and played his Leap book. We didn’t have to chase him this year – BIG difference from last year! On the plane we didn’t bring the car seat – not sure how that would go. He did AWESOME! He played his Leap book until take off, watched some DVD’s as ate snacks for the entire four hours. There was only one minor crying episode, but that’s because he poked himself in the eye with his straw. Poor guy.

Once we arrived in Phoenix we hit the grocery store and Target (ahhhh Target) to get some essentials and kept Liam on Arizona time. It was a LONG day for the little dude. Especially since he didn’t have his normal 2-3 hour nap…the dude naps NOWHERE outside of the crib. He never has…no stroller, no car…ONLY bed. But when he’s in bed…he’s good. So he was up late if you go by Pennsylvania standards.

So today we’re not planning too much. I’m watching my little dude on a video monitor since he’s in a new big bed in a room all by himself. Again, he’s awesome. He just goes with the flow – probably because Nate and I are mellow and I’m a huge dork who tries to make everything exciting for him. And I’m waiting for my boys to wake up so that we can get this day started. I love family vacations – there is just nothing like them.

And pictures…I plan on taking LOTS of pictures this trip and you can bet I’ll be adding them here!

Have a great day!

First off, love these.

They smell heavenly! They got top heavy and were resting on the ground after four days of rain. That must have driven the ants away because there were very few bugs when I brought them in – HUGE plus for me since I’m not a creepy crawler fan! Ick! Anyway – We’re leaving for vacation in three days so I’m enjoying my lovely peonies until I go…off of the ground! They make me happy.

Then I’m out playing with Liam today and notice this.

Our cherry tree FULL of cherries…but they’re still green. My point, they’ll be perfect to eat in another week…we’ll be in Arizona. Nice. We ALWAYS miss the cherry tree!!! We’ll catch the last day or two if we’re lucky. Bah!

And then there is this.

My blueberry bushes FULL of blueberries. They’re just starting to change from green to the grayish blue color. They’ll be perfect for eating in another week. Again…I’ll not be here. Nice. Perhaps we need to re-think our vacation month. Humph.

On another note, Liam and I had some awesome playtime in the yard today after my marathon pre-vacation cleaning session. Love me some photos!

And then tonight we all went downtown to the Pittsburgh Arts Festival to take in the sights – this means the art AND the crazy people. Too funny. We hung out by the fountain for a bit and Nate snapped some photos since I’m usually the one behind the camera! We’re working on that!

And I of course couldn’t resist snapping a few myself.

Finally – I had a productive weekend – scrapping for ME! So selfish right? I forget sometimes how nice it is to use whatever photo I want, any theme, any paper…so freeing! Here they are.

That’s it! More vacation prep tomorrow! Have a great night!

So check this out – today my dad turns….40…yep 40. That means he had me when he was 9 – sounds right eh?
And can I just say that he’s the best dad ever! Don’t fight me on this one people, I’m not budging! He has done just about everything right growing up and I have the most awesome memories. And before you asked if I’ve scrapbooked them – I sure have!

Here is one layout that I did for the Hall of Fame contest in 2005 (I was an honorable mention that year). It was for the assignment where you had to do a page on a person you admire. I picked my dad and highlighted some of the things that he has done over the years that are pretty special to me.

Here is the journaling in case you can’t read it – and you’re interested!
“Somehow you knew! Maybe your mom taught you about this stuff, or you read it in a book or you’re just the smartest guy in the world (probably the latter) – but you knew. When it comes to parenting, it’s not about how much money you spend or how many toys you buy – it’s about the little things…sometimes really stupid things…that really matter and lay the foundation for great memories.

For example, every parent probably teaches their child to say sorry after an argument. But do they go to their bedroom 15 minutes after the argument and make sure that everything is OK and nobody has hurt feelings? Do they give hugs and smiles before continuing on with their day? Dad always did and it made a difference!

Parents often tell their children that they are proud of them, right? But you went above and beyond by writing three simple sentences in a letter expressing your pride and sending it to me in college. Do you know that I still have that letter and reading it still makes me teary?

Admittedly, going out to dinner is pretty standard stuff. Dad, you didn’t just take the family out, you took me out! Just the two of us, we’d go to Pizza Hut, we’d talk and boy would I feel special. That was the best pizza ever!

You know, I could go on and on about these little things. About the small vacations in cheap motels that I looked forward to all year, or the club sandwiches that you’d make during Christmas that I still want you to make today, or the silly songs that you’d sing just to make me laugh, or playing guitar so that I could dance around the room like a goof. These are just a few of the many little reasons why I love you so much!”

And then I did this layout back in February. It’s a old photo of my dad and I playing the guitar. My dad would always sing to my sister and I growing up and we’d dance and act like dorks – really great stuff. And dude – check out my outfit!!! That tube top rocks!

So today, I celebrate my dad! Love you dad!