Winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes it pays to be first! At least this time it did! Congrats to Char for winning the My Memories Suite giveaway!

Just send me an email Char, at gingerwilliamsphotography at gmail.com to claim your prize! Congrats and happy digi scrapbooking!

And if you didn't win, but are still interested in picking up a copy of My Memories Suite I have a coupon code for you that will save you $10 off. Just enter code STMMMS22824 at checkout.

And here are a few cards I made awhile back for the Pebbles blog, that have yet to make it over here. They feature the Happy Go Lucky Line.

Thanks for visiting today!

Playing With Toy Soldiers

I clearly remember when I was a kid playing with plastic parachuting army men with my little brother. They were fun then, but they are even more fun now as I get to play with them alongside my own three boys. We recently had a good time with them in the backyard, while I (of course) took photos. This is the resulting layout featuring more of Crate Paper's Toy Box line--which really couldn't have been more perfect for this!

The Journaling Reads: "You boys had so much fun with these parachuting soldiers! We spent a good hour in the back yard tossing them up and trying to catch them as they floated down! I loved watching you boys play with them as it brought back many good memories of being a kid and playing with them with my little brother (Uncle Adam)! It's so fun to see you boys enjoying this childhood classic! May 2011"

And Don't forget about the My Memories Suite Giveaway below! You have until midnight tonight (central time) to post your comments. The winner will be posted tomorrow morning.

Thanks for stopping by!

My Memories Suite and a Giveaway!

 Happy Friday Everyone! Today I've got a special post for you--with a very fun giveaway! A couple of weeks ago I was asked to review a digital scrapbooking software package called My Memories Suite. I had a lot of fun learning and playing with it this past week. I found it fairly easy to learn, most functions were intuitive and easy to figure out. There is a large array of basic patterned papers and embellishments in just about any color you could imagine. It has many capabilities beyond just basic digital scrapbooking, including making digital albums complete with video and sound, DVDS, Calendars, Cards, Etc. I liked how simple it was to add photos and access my personal library of previously purchased digital scrapbooking kits. Adding papers and elements was fast and simple, as was cropping elements and adding them to my projects. 

After a few minutes of playing with this software I easily created this digital scrapbook layout about Spencer and his love of playing with his Daddy's hat and sunglasses.

Little Dude

I used a kit called All Star by Kristin Cronin-Barrow to design it in My Memories Suite. 

You can find out even more about it from their You Tube Channel, or by watching the video below.

So, do you think you might be interested in testing this software out for yourself? I hope so, because My Memories suite has generously provided me with an opportunity to give one of my readers a copy of their fabulous software. For a chance to win it simply head on over to their website... 

...and check out all of their wonderful digital scrapbook kits. They have all kinds of amazing and beautiful kits! Then come back here and leave me a comment telling me which is your favorite! Here is my favorite kit, Boyisy by Lindsay Jane

Simple enough right? If you'd like additional chances to win you can follow My Memories Suite on Facebook, Twitter, or their blog, then leave me an additional comment saying you did so. That's up to 4 entries per person! So hurry on over and check them out because this give away will close on Monday 8/8/11!

Thanks for visiting today!

Our Little Bucket Boy

Well, we are still frying down here in south Texas! I tried to take the boys out to the park for a little while yesterday afternoon, but we only stayed about 20 minutes before retreating back to air conditioned spaces. I should have taken it as a sign when we were they only ones there! I think today we may try the library instead, at least that way we can escape our heat induced house arrest for longer than 20 minutes.

Today I have a Pebbles layout to share with you. It is based on a fabulous sketch by Becky Fleck, and was done for today's post on the Pebbles blog. Be sure and check out the blog to see the sketch and another beautiful layout based on it by fellow Pebbles DT member Natalie Dever.

The journaling reads: "One day I found you Spencer, climbing in and out of this bucket while it was high up on a kitchen chair. You were very proud of yourself for managing to fit inside it and kept climbing in and out! It was very cute to see you find joy in such a simple thing! Summer 2011"

And more trip photos, this time from the 4th of July that we spent with family.

We started the morning with Krispy Cremes and a parade. The boys got their exercise jumping, waving, and yelling for candy to be thrown their way.

Ty even got lucky enough to catch this parachuting army man.

After the parade we headed over to Bahama Bucks for patriotic snow cones (and if you have never been to a Bahama Bucks then you have never really had a true snow cone--theirs are amazing! We go every time we visit my in-laws.)

Yummmmm--Strawberry Cheesecake deliciousness!

The boys also adored getting a chance to meet and hold their newest little cousin, Lilly. When asked if they wanted a little sister they said, "No, but new little girl cousins are fine." I laughed--that works for me! And they are about to get their wish for new cousins--we have three more on the way and at least one will be a girl! Maybe even this week!

And with the drought Texas is having, all fireworks shows were canceled. We made do with some firework imitations. These cousins spent a good hour or more out in the backyard playing with their light-sticks.

Somewhere that day we managed to fit in cake, ice cream and presents for the birthday boy as well! Whew! It was a busy but very good day! (And after reading this I saw how "healthy" we ate too! LOL--good thing it's only once in awhile!)

Thanks for visiting today and be sure to come back tomorrow for a very fun giveaway!!!!!

A Special Day For Blake

My boys are going to be starting off this new school year in a new school--not because we have moved or anything like that, but because the school we used to attend was overcrowded and a new elementary school was needed. 

I have mixed feelings about it. 

We loved the first school--great teachers, great special ed teachers for Ty, a great speech specialist, etc. It was a really great place for Ty and Blake to be. 

However, this new school has a lot of potential. The principal from the former school has moved over here as has one of our favorite special ed teachers. It's also very close to grandma and grandpa's house and the boys are really excited to be attending a brand new school. I've got my fingers crossed that they will get good teachers and that the tiny little playground equipment they installed this week is just a start with (hopefully) bigger and better additions to come before the start of the school year. Like I said--it has a lot of potential. 

One thing I really hope the principal keeps is the choosing of class champions. Both Ty and Blake loved this tradition and each got a turn at being the class champion at the past school. 

Here is my layout about Blake's turn, done with the new Oxford line from Basic Grey

The journaling reads: "All year long Blake, you talked about how much you wanted to be voted Coyote Champion of your kindergarten class. And as each quarter passed and someone else was picked you became discouraged. I told you that there were many nice and well behaved children in your class and that your turn would come at some point but maybe not in kindergarten. You, however, kept trying hard to be helpful, good, and friendly in class and at the end of the very last quarter it paid off! You were chosen as your classes’ Coyote Champion and you were so excited! The note that your teacher sent home said your class picked you because you always do your work and follow the rules. It also said you were a good friend and were respectful to all the other students! We are so very proud of you Blake! Congratulations! --May 2011"

And another set of trip photos from our day at Disneyland

Buzz lighter is always a favorite ride!

The boys loved the Jedi Training Academy! Each got a chance to fight Darth Maul.

 We got to the very front of the line for Pirates of the Caribbean and the ride broke down. I was pretty disappointed as this has been my favorite ride since I was a teenager. Thankfully they got it going again later in the day.

Spencer loved the Winnie the Pooh ride and was fascinated by the Tikki Room.

Mickey Shaped Pretzels

Meeting characters of course!

We were having so much fun that we stayed quite late for the boys. I think it was just before 11pm--which in Texas would have been nearly 1am. Ty still didn't want to leave, but Blake was begging to go and Spencer was falling asleep in our arms. Overall it was a really fabulous day!

Thanks for stopping by!