Stampin' & Scrappin' with Tina

More Samples and Arizona highlites!

Ok, so right now we are all up in Sedona staying with Marc and Atar.  I don't know if I am ever happier than when all my kids are together!  Of course, I keep a lot of Advil around....  a total necessity in these situations!

Here are a few photos- if you aren't interested in them just keep scrolling down to see the latest SU! samples I am posting from my swap!

Now you surely know that the first photo will be of me and that baby, Ali....

 

But thank goodness for my stamping!!  So here are some cards that remind me life isn't about just immature kids.........

 

I think these cards are the most appropriate considering that 'wild animal' theme!!

Her First Swim

Papa (aka Jim) had only one goal this vacation..........  to take that baby swimming.  The first day we tried there were lightning storms and I put the kibosh on being in the pool.  He did get his wish on the second day and took her swimming.  200 photos and an hour long video later we have officially chronicled Ali's first swim.

I would  love to say she enjoyed every minute but as you can see, she really didn't want any part of it at first......

But Papa persuaded her  it wasn't  so bad by showing her how to blow bubbles in the water.....

And, of course, he won her over and they had such a great time together that she eventually fell asleep in his arms right there in the water.....  so very sweet.....

All together again....

She is just amazing..........

We are all in Arizona now and celebrated the 4th of July together at a park in Prescott ...  it was the first time the entire family has been together since last May at Marc and Atar's wedding.  It was also the first  time we have seen our son, Dane, since he returned from Afghanistan.  And, it was the first time we have seen our precious and amazing granddaughter, Ali, in 3 months. She is not a baby anymore but a real toddler and into everything!

Here are a few photos of our day at the park......

Her mama, Dulce, put me in charge and it happened to be while it was raining and hailing!  As any good Nonna would do, I let her play in the puddles!

I have a lot more to share with you but since I want to get out of my room and take her swimming today I am just going to post this last photo of all of us together.....  the greatest blessing in my life is watching how my kids have grown up and truly love each other and love to be together.....  I could not have asked for more than that!!

Where Have I Been???

I have been busy with very happy and exciting FAMILY news!!

Our son, Dane, who has been in Korea for the past 3 yrs and who we haven't seen in over 2 yrs has come home!!  AND- he brought his too-cute-for-words wife, Dulce, who is expecting our first grandchild!!  I have devoted every second I can to being with them and helping her get settled here.  Dane leaves to return to Korea on 4/12- Dulce will be living with us for the next 7 months!

And on top of all that, our oldest son, Marc, is getting married on June 2!  So picture this....  Dane returns to the States on May 28-- Dulce is due with their child on May 30-- and then Marc and Atar's wedding is June 2!!  Will that be an exciting weekend or what!!!

Anyway, I have some pictures of our latest family pastime- Karaoke!!  We have had so much fun together that I don't think I have stopped smiling for weeks....  But all this still doesn't mean I haven't been stamping!  I made all the wedding invitations for Marc and Atar as well as the baby shower favors for Dane and Dulce (the shower is TOMORROW for 60 people.... do you think I should start cooking???)

Here is Dane and Dulce beating the rest of us at Karaoke- She insists that he cheats at it.... but together they are as cute a couple as I have ever seen in my life!

The BEST news of all!!

Anyone that knows me is aware of the #1 event I have been (not-so-patiently) waiting for....  well, I am finally on that track!!!  Our darling daughter in law, Dulce, and our son, Dane, are going to have a BABY!!!  I cannot stop smiling I am so excited!! 

You might remember that they are in Korea, which means we don't get to see them very much- well, if you think that as a scrapbooker I would miss the opportunity to have pictures of that precious belly as it grows........  think again!!  They got a webcam and we got a webcam and now we can actually see one another every day!  How cool is that!  Our other sons, Marc and Scott, each got one too- I see lots of silly moments ahead for this family!!

Here is a 2 page spread I did about my son, Dane.  I love that technology has allowed us to capture moments together even when we are so far apart....  all the photos and journaling on these pages were done over the internet!  Dane had gotten his first tattoo and sent the photo over instant messenger.  I then printed out our entire conversation and used that for my journaling!  Why not try it for someone long distance to you??

More stuff to Scrap...

Saturday we had a great party here to celebrate the engagement of our oldest son, Marc, and his sweetie, Atar. These 2 are such a great couple and from a parents perspective I surely couldn't ask for more than to truly know that these two will have a long and lasting marriage- they each compliment the other and are so tender and compassionate towards one another (unless Marc is tickling her- that's a whole different story!)

We also had a chance to blend our families- we truly love all of Atar's family and their friends- how lucky are we!

Here is a photo of our family- there's my dad, Mary, Jim, me, Scott,  Chelsea, Atar & Marc.  I will scrapbook the whole party at my next crop in September...  and then put them here for all to see!

I have a Daughter In Law!

I am so very happy to announce that our son, Dane,  got married today!  We got a call this morning that they had just left the US Embassy in Korea and are officially married!  He sounded so happy and we are thrilled for them both!!  Of course the real hope is that I will eventually become a doting grandmother...........  so this is a step in the right direction!!!

Here is a photo of the happy couple!!  It feels so wierd to think I have a child old enough to be married!!!!