My Favourite Husband

If you haven't met my husband, you really should. 

You really, really should.

He's amazing. 

Best one I've had so far!

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Birthday Gift for Oma

We were very lucky this year to get to celebrate Oma's birthday with her. 

Usually we don't get to see my mom on her birthday because we live so far away and January is an odd time to travel. Plus we usually would have just gotten back from somewhere over Christmas, sometimes from visiting my parents. 

But this year my beautiful daughter was born in January and since Oma HAD to come meet her (obvi!!), it meant we got to share in celebrating her January birthday too! 

I knew we wanted to have something homemade for her birthday, and that we wanted the gift to represent her first grand daughter too. 

I came up with the idea to make a scrapbook page and frame it for her with pictures of Ellie from her visit. I made the page ahead of time, but we had to be sneaky and go print pictures to add while Oma was here, but without Oma knowing! 

Then, I also wanted to frame some little Ellie footprints. We stamped them so that they looked like hearts. My husband made both the frames in his garage before Oma arrived for her visit and we had everything ready to go when her birthday rolled around. 

The footprints were done when she was just 5 days old! 

We anticipated needing a few sessions to get them all done, but Ellie just let us stamp while she was wide awake! 

We used a water soluble paint to that it was safe for her little toes and washed off easily. 

Here were our finished products up close: 

This is one proud grand parent :) 

Happy [belated] birthday to the very bestest mama and Oma ever! 

We love you VERY much!!! 

{xoxo}

27 Years Young

This weekend flew by in a whirlwind!

So much birthday excitement :) 

I was overwhelmed by the number of people that called, texted, messaged, sent cards, etc. 

Although I love you all, the most special call came from my Opa and Oma. 

93 (almost 94) years young and he still remembers to call on my birthday! 

It's hard being so far from many family and friends on days like this where you want to celebrate with loved ones, but I felt the love all the way from Ontario anyway :)

Especially from my Dad who was actually able to make the trip here at the last minute! 

Here are some snippets from the birthday meals, games, and treats that we shared this weekend:

Bling that topped my homemade birthday cake!

Homemade ice cream cake from Mom!

Pretty sure Joop was just as happy to have Dad around as I was!

Wooden shoes!! Beautifully Dutch gift for baby V :)

Mr. A wrapped and labeled a beautiful gift. He even took pictures of it ahead of time! He knows me sooo well :)

Playing with my birthday gift! Not the game... the camera lens! New macro lens from my husband!

Carrot cake for another birthday dinner with Dad :) (also, more macro lens fun...)

Adorable baby gifts! Who doesn't want an owl rattle!

New boots from Dad :) Apparently I'm gonna need comfy slip on boots in the coming months!

Beautiful birthday weather.

All dressed up :) 

We actually got all spiffed up twice this weekend! Once to go out for a surprise dinner and play from Mr. A and then again for a friends' wedding.

Thanks for all the birthday love - I had an amazing weekend!
Feeling very blessed :) 

{xoxo}

My Weekend Via Instagram

This weekend went by in a flash! 

I haven't had a minute to soak it all in yet... 

My Dad came to GP for a quick visit, I started some fall crafts, I watched two good friends get married, I enjoyed the warm weather outside, I had delicious meals out, and I turned 27! 

Pretty sure 27's gonna be a good year :)

Thank you to everyone for your birthday wishes, messages, texts and cards! 

More birthday pics to come :) 

{xoxo}

More Scrapbooking Cards

Here are some more cards I've made lately - for your viewing pleasure! 

The occasions are pretty self-explanatory :)

 

{celebrate}

Themed Birthday for a Grown Man?

Are grown-ups to old for themed birthday parties?!? 

I don't think so! 

I already had an idea about the gifts that I was buying my husband for his birthday this year, so I decided to make a theme of it. Same type of present from me, same from the family, same theme on the card, and same theme in the wrapping :) If I had been a bit more ambitious and a bit less busy, I would have baked a matching cake or dessert... but I didn't! Next time maybe... maybe. 

But here it is... his grown-up TOOL THEMED BIRTHDAY! 

Fun!!! 

I got the link for the fun tool-themed tags here. 

And here is the happy birthday boy opening his presents!

For all those who care, he woke me up an hour early and asked for his present.. like a little boy on Christmas morning! 

And yet another tool! (below)

Although this tool is a very special gift from the whole family. 

I had looked EVERYWHERE for a scroll saw in Grande Prairie. Everywhere.
I stopped by at Russel's mom and dad's place and said, "Dad, there are no scroll saws in this town!"
He said, "What? Where did you look? I'll find you one!" and proceeded to pick up the phone.
He called his contacts and sure enough, I had pictures of saws in my email inbox the next day.
I showed them to Dad and there was clearly one that he thought was better... but it was a bit out of my budget range, so I said I would have to think about it.
But he wanted Russel to have the best tool so he came up with a plan and called me the next day.
He said, "We're all gonna help you buy it! I'll call everyone and ask if they want to pitch in."
And he did.
Unfortunately Dad passed away on April 7th, before Russel's birthday on the 14th, so he never got to see Russel open his new saw, but Russel will always know that it was from Dad. 

This tool will be well used and well loved :) 

And a special happy birthday from the puppies too! 

Happy Birthday to the LOVE of my LIFE !!! 

{xoxo}

Rainbow Cake

Hello friends! 

Last week my niece and nephew were here, and we wanted something fun to do... 

... so I found something UH-mazing to bake together :) 

The pictures are self-explanatory I think... 

Enjoy! 

{yumm}