We;ve been good, but we can't last! Hurry Christmas, hurry fast!!

Finished the front page of our family newsletter, and then I'll print all our news from the year on the back. I had tons of fun with these darling baubles by Irene V. Alexeeva.

It was fun....rushed home from church on Sunday and threw up a length of black fabric over a desk in the kitchen in front of the sliding glass doors and made the kids line up and get their pictures taken before they changed out of their Sunday clothes. Everybody did GREAT except for Sammie...poor thing was discovered to have a fever later on in the day...no wonder she looked so miserable! Then I made Mario come in a get a pictures taken with me....let's just say that the kids were CAKE in comparision, LOL!

I'll update soon with more little nuggets of news!

The Saga Continues......

Yes, I know...it's been a while.

Where to begin? Ah....well, after having a series of health issues, I (hopefully) capped it off by breaking my toe. And before you all think I'm a wimp, ....I wasn't going to go to the doctor...Mario made me. And we found out that it was a pretty bad break and that I'd also done some damage to my foot. I was given the option of surgery, to put a pin in it, or to suffer through a "retraction" which was less invasive???? and wait 6 weeks to see if I was in the 80% of people who were "fixed" or the 20% who had to go on and have the surgery anyway. I, of course, opted for the "wait and see." I'm now just over 2 weeks into my 6 week wait.....I'm tired of being crippled, LOL.

Anyway, although this has eclipsed my life, I actually do have other exciting things happening. In mid-October I opened my second "Dancing Princess Designs" store at one of my favorite places in the cyber world...GoDigitalScrapbooking.com and I LOVE being a part of things there! Anyway, enough about me...

Mario's working hard and enjoying his new company....it seems to have been a GREAT change for him. He's been doing crazy things like moving all of our furniture around, to minimize the chances that I'll kick furniture again, and moving the outside fridge in, and the inside fridge out. Next on the honey do list? Bringing in all the Christmas decorations, setting up the tree, and swapping out the dishwasher!

The kids? Yes, I still have them!

Sammie Sidewinder is definitely the cutest little caboose ever. She's learned to say "please" and will SCREAM it in rapid succession until what she wants is bestowed upon her. She's is picking her nose at this very moment and watching Dora...TOO CUTE (ok, it won't be so cute next year, but for the moment...)


Gabby is little miss VERY TWO. She's contrary and competitive and so much fun...she LOVES puzzles and will chose to play with them over just about anything else. She still loves her Lovey and drags it everywhere we let her. She is my big helper, and every evening when kitchen jobs are assigned, she always pipes up and says "What's my job, mom?"



Then there's the three musketeers. I am THRILLED that Ellie's taken to reading the same way Isa did, and Alanna before her. They are all READERS and spend bunches of time each day reading....if only we had a library....I can't keep them in books!!! Here they are, chowing down on Thanksgiving....and they say BOYS eat a lot!

And then there's Fia....although the "teenage snarl face" is appearing less and less as she matures, you can see I caught it pretty good here. We went as a family and had rootbeer floats one night...the kids had a great time!



Maybe I'll actually do better at blogging regularly in the new year.....and maybe not, LOL!

Hubby Tag

1. Where did you meet? At a dance club. I came home from a very non eventful dinner date and decided since Sophia was spending the night at mom's, that I would go out and do something. I was just heading out the door of the club (I hated going places myself then...now I can't wait to get out the door by myself) when Mario stopped me and asked me to dance.

2. How long did you date before you got married? Do I have to answer this one? Oh, OK. 6 weeks. There...are you happy now? LOL

3. How long have you been married? It will be 9 years in April...time flies.

4. What does he do that surprises you? Holds my hand while we're watching tv or movies.

5.What is your favorite feature of his? His lips. Not that I know the pleasure of their presence nearly enough, but every once in a while when the snoring stops, and I glance over to make sure he's still alive, I remember how much I like them.

6. What is your favorite quality of his? His conquering attitude. When he decides something is going to happen, he works relentlessly to make it happen.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Honey Bunny

8. What is his favorite color? Blue, blue and more blue.

9. What is his favorite food? Rice, french fries, and french bread. Preferably all at the same time. And while you're at it, throw in a side of beef. He has discovered a new food love this summer, though. Big Stick Popsicles.....I can't keep him stocked! LOL

11. What is his favorite sport? Do I have to pick just one? He LOVES football, soccer, and basketball. He enjoys gymnastics, and volleyball, and has even been known to tolerate baseball in a pinch.

12. When and where was your first kiss? In the parking lot of my apartment 1 1/2 weeks after we met.

13. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Watch a movie, probably.

14. Do you have any children? 6 girls, one angel.

15. Does he have a hidden talent? He's a great cook.

16. How old is he? 43...but he'll never admit it.

17. Who said "I love you" first? He did.

18. What do you admire most about him? He has tenacity in spades. He's a real go getter.

19.Do you think he will read this? Eventually, but only if I don't ask him to. Because then he might feel like I'm telling him what to do and he HATES that LOL!

Be Still My Soul....

My brother complained to my mom the other day that my blog wasn't fun anymore. (Pierced me to the heart). That it was just full of scrapbooking stuff. (He may have a point). So I have resolved....to find more humor in my life. Believe me it's been rough lately. So...I'm going to attempt to fill you in on the latest doings of the princesses, and maybe along the way, we'll find a few laughs.
First of all, I don't think I've mentioned that Sophia made the Sophomore Volleyball Team at the High School! Yeah Sophia!! She's new to the sport but learning really fast and doing GREAT! She's been busy beyond belief the last two weekends. Last week, her school hosted a Tournament and she had to work from the end of school until 10:30pm on Friday, and then 7am-7pm on Saturday. This week she was IN the tournament. Long hours again Friday and Saturday. Last night after her last game, Christy took us out to dinner. Sophia and Maddie (her friend who was with us) didn't have clothes to change into so they were just in their uniforms. You would not BELIEVE the looks they got from old men at the restaurant and in the parking lot. CREEPY!! That's not gonna happen again. I had a REALLY great action shot in here, but just realized that it showed too much info....oh well.


Gabby the fearless. She and Sammie and I have been walking the other girls to school in the mornings, and then stopping at the park on the way home. Gabby started climbing up this little jungle gym thing, and I sat down on the ground to get some GREAT pics with an interesting POV...my friend Liz always takes such interesting pictures with fantastic POV's. Anyway, this shot was taking just moments before Gabby climbed to the next rung up, and THREW her legs off the side and was hanging there...six feet off the ground. Liz asked me later if I'd snapped a pic before I jumped up to help her...darn. She's a lot of fun. She was just sitting next to me and had lined up all her little people and was counting them. I found a giraffe and stuck it on the end of the line..."MOM, that's not a PEOPLE!!!" Ooops.
Ellie, forever the princess. Climbed up on the rocks and yelled for me to come take a picture...I was stuck there a good long time, while children and cousins alike got their photo taken. Ellie is in kindergarten. It's been fun! Her teacher LOVES her! Apparently, she's very focused and obedient when at school. I had to laugh on the first day.....I was waiting for school to get out to pick her up and saw her come out of the kindergarten door all by herself. A second later the teacher came running out..."Ellie it's not time to leave yet." Ellie responded, "it's ok, my mom's already here." Teacher: "Ellie, you need to come back in!" Ellie: "Look, my mom's right there!" Anyway, I was thrilled to have Ellie be the last one out the door when the class finally left. I have high hopes that she will learn to blend in better with all her royal subjects.


Alanna...she's so funny. She's having to actually WORK for the first time in her whole little life to accomplish something....it's definitely wearing on her! She's started Spanish Immersion and although it is tiring (and they told us to expect that it would be) it is also FANTASTIC FUN! I'm so excited for her to learn! She's growing and still loves to read...I catch her with a book in her hands ALL THE TIME! If I can't find her..she's usually hiding out up on the bunkbed under a blanket reading.

We had fun up the canyon on Friday, even though the skies were VERY threatening and rain was about everywhere except the little spot of ground we were on. Isa had a great time playing with Leesa, Uncle Andrew's special friend (who fit in GREAT with the fam). She's coming into her own and loves school...and is thrilled to report 10 our of 10 each week on her spelling...she's a real "go getter" and I rarely have to remind her to do her homework.


And then there's Sammie. Hard to believe she's been around a whole year, as I glance over my shoulder at her going through my wallet throwing my drivers license and credit cards under the bed. Oh, what a year. Thank HEAVEN it is over. It's been a rough one. We celebrated her birthday in the canyon Friday (as previously mentioned) in a combined "Andrew is visiting with his girlfriend from out of state" and "1st birthday party" bash. It was a great time! The leaves hadn't really turned yet in the little spot we were at, lower in the canyon (for weather reasons), and for that I was a bit disappointed because I wanted to get some fun pictures, but the trees and mountains were still beautiful and there was a peace there. Well, other than the naturally occurring family drama that well....NATURALLY occurs at these events. We really missed Mel, and her brood, too.


If anyone has any extra prayers to offer, I have a friend in South Africa whose only daughter is currently in a coma as a result of an accident. She could sure use 'em.

Life has been hard lately. Don't know if that's the natural result (opposition) of accomplishing goals or what. Mario started a new job in July (turned out to be a great move), and I opened my store for Dancing Princess Designs at DigitalScrapGarden the first of September, I've actually had a few sales! But there's a lot of stress and not as much support as I'd hoped for (to some people it's still just a "hobby"). So what do I do? I don't know. I guess take a little advice from my friend "Dory" (Finding Nemo). I "just keep swimmin, just keep swimmin', just keep swimmin', swimmin', swimmin'"....well you know the rest.

Rollin', rollin', rollin'......

Lots going on as always. This LO was made with my Week Four Kit "Springtime Serenade". You can get the kit for free by clicking on the preview and VOTING!! I made the LO for the Quote Challenge over at DigitalScrapGarden. All images are clickable for credit/product info.






This LO was also made for a challenge.Muma over at GoDigitalScrapbooking issued a challenge to do an "Art Journal" page. I do a lot of my journaling in letter form, so even though it maybe doesn't follow "traditional" journaling, it's what works for me.








We had a fabulous time over at our family Pioneer Day celebration. This layout details the traditional "Eat a Cricket" ceremony...and YES, Gabby did actually eat it.











This LO was made for another challenge at DigitalScrapGarden...Mojo asked us to make a LO about where we live. I used my friend, Liz's fantastic French Countryside Kit.








I finally got around to scrapping Alanna's first day of Kindergarten. I tell you what, I don't know that it got any easier the second and now third time around.








This is one of my favorites, probably because it's so different from my usual LO's. This was a fun, fun kit to work with. I made it for Veronica's Quote Challenge at GoDigitalScrapbooking.







And last but not least is this LO showing off our garden produce. We're not "serious gardeners" but it's been fun to see things growing. The kids love it and they plants are Mario's babies. More later I'm sure, and if you would, GO VOTE for my Week Four Kit "Springtime Serenade." Thanks!!

Great Balls of Fire!!

Boy have things been busy. I feel like I can hardly keep up some days...

Check out Dancing Princess Designs (link on the sidebar) to see my Week Three Entry for the DigitalScrapGarden The Garden's Got Talent Contest. We had a fun teal/grey palette to work with and a theme of "Days of Winter." So don't forget to check out "Winter Rhapsody" (Sophia came up with the name...AWESOME, eh?) and VOTE for Week Three starting Sunday August 10th. The layout at the top is made with Winter Rhapsody.

Here are my recent layouts: (all clickable for product info)



The kids had a great time at our family Pioneer Day celebration....they really enjoyed the water party as you can see above....Sophia switched back and forth between "hunter" and "hunted" once the water balloons came out.


This one of the girls (2 years ago) that I made using my Autumn's Whisper (Week Two Entry).


I'm finally getting around to scrapping some older photos. This is Ellie doing the toilet thing. I used a new release by One Memory At A Time for this and the next one.


Alanna's ear piercing experience on her birthday, December 21, 2006.


I have a challenge posted at GoDigitalScrapbooking that asks for participants to make a layout about "Who I am." I figured I'd better do a layout for my own challenge and used a kit I made called Wedgewood (featured in a post on DancingPrincessDesigns last week).


Do Not Disturb features Isa making chalk masterpieces 3 years ago. This shot was CLASSIC Isa, and I finally got around to doing something with it.


My Week 1 assignment at GoDigitalScrapbooking was their awesome collab kit "Nature's Breath." I had taken this photo of Mario last week, and thought it would be the perfect showcase for the theme I was going for. Ain't he cute?

Gabby's "Lovey" deserved a special LO....hopefully she won't still have it when she gets married and will someday appreciate her unique relationship with this little stuffed kitty that Ellie gave her for Christmas 2 years ago.

And last but not least, Sammie. Poor girl's been sick with a cold, but she still had a smile Sunday when I pulled out the camera. She's a great girl!! (This kit is another new release by One Memory At A Time....that girl is a machine...she cranks out so many AWESOME kits one after the other. If you're into digital...check her out!!)

Truthfully, they are all great girls. And did I mention I can't WAIT for school to start?

More soon!

On you mark, get set, GOOOOOO!

OK, ya'll, Week Two of the "Garden's Got Talent" contest has begun, and I need your votes!!! I REALLY need your votes to continue on in the competition!!! So if you love me at all, or even like me a little bit.....or just want a free kit....RUN, do not walk, over to the Garden and VOTE for my Autumn's Whisper Kit (preview is a couple of posts down), and you, YES YOU, can download the kit for FREEEEEEEE!!! Thanks everybody for your support! You are GREAT!!!

Thanks, and see you soon!!

(Yes, you have seen this before....sorry, but I NEED votes, which means that I'm doubling up on the blogs, trying to gather all the support I can...thanks for humoring me!)

Week Two Submission.....Autumn's Whisper

Well, I finished my kit for Week Two of the DigitalScrapGarden competition....voting will start on August 3rd, so remember to go vote! Don't be shy...leave me feedback! The picture is clickable and will take you to vote! Thanks for looking....


OH, and download links to get this kit for free will be available once voting starts!

I need every vote I can get!!!

If you've already visited my Dancing Princess Designs blog, thanks for bearing with me. (And look at it as a reminder to go vote, if you haven't already). For everyone else....

Ok so, FUNNY story. Yesterday I came across this cute little site called Digital Scrap Garden and as I'm wandering through I find this Designer Contest announcement....the only problem is that they'd just started voting on their first round. Well, since the closing date for the first round hadn't come yet, I emailed and asked if they were still accepting participants. They said sure, and so for the next 4 HOURS I worked feverishly to put something together with the color palette provided for round one of the competition. My husband and kids were AWESOME and took over the household while I sequestered myself in my "thinking/doing" space. I finished and am pretty happy with what I was able to LITERALLY throw together. The thing is I NEED YOUR VOTES TO WIN! If you love me (thanks, family who don't give two hoots about digiscrapping), or if you like what I've designed, please PLEASE go and vote for my kit. There will be four rounds, so check back each week, and I'll post the preview of my kit, and the link to go vote (certainly if you like another kit more than mine, FOLLOW your heart...I just won't ever speak to you again LOL). The preview is clickable, and the voting on round one ENDS FRIDAY AUG 1st! My Kit is on the page as j_camargo6 and looks like this....


Thanks for reading my blog and remember....VOTE FOR JENN!!!
P.S. I've posted the link for the kit at Digital Scrap Garden and you can get it for FREE! Just click on the picture above and it will take you there!

Life is CRAZY!!

It's amazing how fast life passes....but that doesn't seem to lessen the insanity of it. We've been doing lots of new things...Mario started a new job last week on Monday. It will be a good thing, but it's always hard starting something new. He's still downtown, so commuting. The kids are having a summer. Unfortunately, we haven't done much, because Mario hasn't been able to take time off, and I'm not about to try to take them anywhere on my own. Well, in my defense, I'm trying to get my courage up to take them to the petting zoo next week.

Sophia competed her two volleyball camps and is looking forward to tryouts, the second week of August. She had a great time at girls camp and is having fun with her friends in the neighborhood.

Alanna vasilates between being excited about Spanish Immersion and fear that it will be too hard. She's growing tall and learning alot....she reads voraciously and if I can't find her...I can count on her being tucked away somewhere reading two or three books.

Isabelle switched roommates....she's now downstairs with Alanna...I'm not sure if this is a good thing yet or not. The intent was that she would hopefully rub off with her neat freak ways on Alanna. Instead there has been an exhibition of roller derby queen behavior. On both of their parts. Not sure how I'm going to deal with that yet.

Elizabeth now shares a room with Gabby. Again, the jury is out on whether or not it was a good move. She is so excited to start Kindergarten in a few weeks. She's reading some and doing some fun math. It will be fun to see how she takes to school.

Gabby is growing and talking like a maniac. She's also fiercely independent. Insists on putting her own seatbelt on, putting her own shoes on, doing everything for herself. Saturday, she wanted a popsicle, and Mario told her no. A while later we went looking for her because she'd disappeared and found her in the kitchen eating a popsicle, cut open at both ends and dripping. The scissors were sitting on the counter (where she had put them after retreaving them from the box ON TOP of the fridge. She'd even put the chair back after using it to climb up there. The girl is TROUBLE with a capitol T!!

Sammie's growing like crazy. She is crawling, and cruising along the furniture, and she's thinking about walking here soon. She flirts and plays with people everywhere we go. She's a fun girl. A smarty too.

(The following images are clickable for credit information)
Here are some of the LO's I've made since my last post:


This one was for a "Swap" with an online friend...she scrapped my photos and I did hers.

Independence Day!

It was a beautiful 4th! We missed most of our traditional balloon launch (my favorite part of the day, sniff) and then enjoyed a pleasant breakfast with family. It was lovely weather in the morning, and was a beautiful day overall!

This one is a desktop LO I did for the GDS Decorate your Desktop Challenge.

And I love this photo. This was taken at the Balloon Launch July 4th Morning. Gabby's so cute, isn't she!

Anyway, be sure to check out my Dancing Princess Designs link to the right>>>>>!

Here's a few other things I've been up to......

Have a great day!