Elena's 40th

(elena's cupcake cake)

(our great room)

(nikki, sherry, elena, ashley)

(my awesome tuna dinner)

(me and elle)

(julie and me)

(elle's sister in law Jenn is a wine distributor and she introduced us to 4 different bottles of wine at dinner that night...it was so awesome...one of my fav memories! Thanks Jenn)

(sher)

(me and tomi)

Instead of a girls night out, Elena wanted her closest friends to spend a night away at AMI...our favorite get away. She said absolutely NO presents...So instead I made her an album (see the post below with photos of the album) with photos dating back to when we all met (14 years ago)! I had all the girls (8 others besides Elena) send me pictures of them with Elle and when we all got out to the resort...I had each girl journal a little "something" to her beside their pictures! It was so special...we were all crying thinking about the special friendship we share. We love you Elena.

xoxo

nikki (ashley, sherry, tomi, jenn, julie, carmen, trisha)

Elena's 40th birthday album

I got the idea to create this album for Elena when she told me No presents for her birthday! I wanted to give her something so bad, mainly because of what a giving woman she is. I knew in the end that photographs and memories would mean the most to her, especially since she is so sentimental. I love you.

xoxo

nikki

Disney World...can you say HOT!!!

I think steam was coming off the concrete the day we went to Disney a couple weeks back...but our last day of a 3 day ticket was about to expire. So we loaded up our Odyssey and drove to Orlando for the day. We decided to go to Magic Kingdom, since that made the most sense for the boys...and we decided before we left that we would let the boys tell us what they wanted to do and we would do it and when they had had it, we would go home. With that attititude we had so much fun... we rode "Its a Small World", the carousel (two times), the shooting gallery, the "Country Bear Jamboree", Jungle Cruise, the train...we had a BLAST. I just loved watching the boys take it all in. Even Charlotte was a trooper...she ate, slept and just looked around. We really had a great time that day despite the heat! What a great memory.

xoxo

nikki

Putting life in perspective

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio. "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. 13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks. 16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. 19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. 23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. 24. The most important sex organ is the brain. 25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?' 27. Always choose life. 28. Forgive everyone everything. 29. What other people think of you is none of your business. 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 33. Believe in miracles. 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. 37. Your children get only one childhood. 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. 41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 42. The best is yet to come. 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 44. Yield. 45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Have a great day!
xoxo
nikki

Recovering

On Friday afternoon, I was standing in my kitchen, talking to a friend when I got this sharp pain in my right breast...that would not go away. After an hour or so, it got extreemly hot and red (TMI, I know:)) and I started feeling like I had the flu. I got a fever and the chills along with every muscle in my body aching...it was horrible. I got a hold of the doctors office and they called me in an antibiotic for Mastitis (inflammation and infection of a milk duct)!!! I continued to feel horrible all night till my fever broke...I even had to cancel my class the next day at K2 (s0 sorry ladies:(... I will be repeating it again in July ) I pray that will be the one and only time I have to experience that!! Thanks for the prayers for the few of you that knew...
xoxo
nikki

Good Morning Nanna and Bubbles!

I thought I would share these pictures of Charlotte to start your day with a smile!!

xoxo

nikki

Check this out!!

I was asked to be the featured designer for May/June's bisous bzoo newsletter. Susanne is the designer/owner of one of my favorite lines of paper...PDQ. Check it out here http://www.bisous.biz/newsletter/news_current.htm !!! So excited :)
Here are a few of the LO's I created for her... TFL

dream.design.create.

nikki

A few new LO's of Charlotte

dream.design.create.

xoxo

nikki

Whoops...

I forgot to mention in my post below where my altered frame class is. K2 scrapbook Studio of course, call right now to reserve your spot 941-926-1744.
xoxo
nikki

“Window To My Heart”

Join me for two hours as we embellish the adorable Fancy Pants window “frame”. We will be stamping, sewing, punching, metal work and more to turn this into a beautiful home décor project with a theme that fits YOUR home. Your kit will include Webster’s Pages paper and stickers, metal accents from Tim Holtz and VintaJ, black or white frame (please specify when you sign up for class), Prima flowers and more. You will need to bring 6 photos (I used 3 horiz and 3 vertical and mine were cropped 3 ½ x5) AND what ever color Staz On ink that you want to stamp with. Optional: bring with you any special stamps that work with your theme (I will be bringing ALL my stamps as well…and for those who have taken one of my classes know I have TONS of stamps) You will also need to bring your basic scrapbooking kit (trimmer, glue dots, needle nose pliers

June 13th 10:45-12:45 sharp (as I am still breastfeeding :))

xoxo

dream.design.create.

nikki

Playin with my camera

I was having fun playing around shooting "monocromatic" in the camera rather than changing them in photoshop... TFL

xoxo

nikki

A few photos of Charlotte...

Smiling at Daddy!
How stinkin cute is this outfit??!! She looks so adorable.

Every outfit Charlotte wears, I want to take a photo (or 10 photos of). I am having so much fun dressing her in all the adorable outfits she received from everyone. She is such a blessed addition to our family. She is now 8 weeks old and is sleeping 11-12 hours a night. She is in the 95 percentile for weight and 97th percentile for height. She is wearing 3-6 month old clothes already! She is by far my easiest baby yet...thank goodness since my house already has two rambunctious boys- LOL.

xoxo

nikki

2nd Annual Fishing Tournament

You know how some people are just "lucky"? Well, Riley is one of those people. No matter what kind of contest it is, he wins. On Saturday they gave out all sorts of great prizes...Brody won a trophy for the first fish caught and he won a new tackle box... but Riley won the grand prize 50 dollar gift certificate to a local fishing store! It was so fun. Riley and Brody had a blast catching fish and then playing in the sand and water. Charlotte and I sat and watched from out beach chair enjoying the weather and taking pictures.

xoxo

nikki

A few misc LO's (including the first one of Charlee)...

Loving these prima papers for my little princess.
My beautiful cousin Kinden...

Riley and his little sister (which he ADORES)!!!

Such fun pictures Kim Bolyard took of me when I was pregnant...

My best friends...love you girls!

TFL.

dream.design.create.

nikki

and flowing...

(inside of card)

This paper line was created for a wedding theme, but I loved it sooo much. I adapted it to fit a picture of me an Riley as well as one of Brody. I did create a "love" card that could be used for an occasion as well. TFL

dream.design.create.

nikki

the creative juices are flowing...

I created these three LO's using October Afternoon papers and stickers, with just a few other misc. embellishments. (Photographs in the first LO's were taken by Kim Bolyard.)

loving these papers!!

TFL.

dream.design.create.

nikki

Early morning visitors

Sean came running in the house this morning to show us some visitors we had in our tree. There were three of them, and it was actually pretty cool to see them up close. Sean told the boys that they were there "to check out their new tree fort"...

xo

nikki

Charlotte Grace

I am blessed to have a friend like Kim (Kim Bolyard Photography) who shot these photos of Charlotte last week as my baby present from her... they are amazing Kim....THANK YOU so much.

xoxo

nikki

PS there are many more...I will post a few at a time.

So precious...

My mom took the day off to spend with me and the kiddos. Before she came down, I asked her to bring some "props" for a photo shoot Kim is doing of Charlotte. I couldn't resist taking a few photos of my own before she comes down on Sunday. Kim's baby gift to me is a newborn photo session of Charlotte!

The bowl is so fun...I love how cute she looks curled up in it. TFL

xoxo

nikki

Yummm

One of my best friends Ashley came over the other day to bring me a sandwich and a piece of cake from my favorite deli EVER. It is a restaurant in Tampa called Wright's Deli and I love it. Well, she brought me a piece of Hummingbird cake and I savored it for 3 days! After it was gone I decided to search the internet for a recipe. I found this one from Paula Deen and knew I couldn't go wrong. I still want to "tweek" this recipe till it is as good at the cake from Wright's but until then, here is the recipe I used... I hope you enjoy it as much as my family is!

Hummingbird Cake

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 mashed bananas

1, 8oz can crushed pineapple

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

4 large eggs

2 cans of cream cheese frosting

optional: 1 cup coconut, 1 cup shredded carrots, 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Mix the ingredients together and pour into a greased/floured bundt pan. Bake at 350 for 55 minutes. Let cool. Cut top half of bundt cake off and frost in between the layers. Place the top layer back on and frost the entire cake with cream cheese frosting. Enjoy!

xoxo

nikki

The first week

Charlotte's little fingers

I love this picture...sound asleep, head back and mouth open...too cute!

Getting adjusted has actually been pretty smooth... I am trying to enjoy the whole process since it will be gone before you know it! These are a few pictures from the first week of Charlotte's life.

TFL

xoxo

nikki

a few more random picts...

Sean and Dr. Shroder with Charlotte.

Mommy wearing her St. Patty's Day hat that Riley made in school that day.

Nanna and Joyia with Charlotte.

Nanna holding her first granddaughter.

xoxo

nikki

two big brothers

The excitement was obvious. Riley was thrilled to meet his little sister. The first thing he wanted to do is hold her. He told her his name was Riley and that he was her big brother...and that he loved her already. He just wanted to keep rubbing her head and smiling at her.

Brody wasn't sure what to think...he couldn't figure out why we kept telling him that Charlotte was no longer in my tummy, but that she was this little baby that I was holding. He kept running over and rubbing my tummy and saying "baby", then looking at her not sure what to think. I am sure it will take a while for him to realize what is happening.

I really look forward to seeing how both Riley and Brody will adapt to being big brothers to Charlotte. I am sure they will take good care of her.

xoxo

nikki

introducing Charlotte Grace

Sean, Nikki, Riley and Brody want to welcome Charlotte to our family:

Charlotte "Charlee" Grace Cleary

March 16, 2009

9:53am

8lb 2 oz

20 1/2 inches long

xoxo

nikki

Labor and Delivery...

Sean took this right after we arrived at the hospital. I was so tired...no sleep for over 24 hours at this point.
My mom took this picture in between contractions...this was at approx 8:45am

On Sunday night, March 15th at 11pm I went into labor. (I was scheduled to be induced the next morning at 6am.) I was able to stay at home and labor until 6am and when I went in, I obviously did not need to be induced... I was 5 cm and 80% effaced. The dr ordered my epidural and then broke my water. I went to 8 cm really fast and then from 8 to 10cm within 15 minutes. I started pushing around 9:45 and Charlotte Grace was born at 9:53am on March 16th.

March 16, 2009 at 9:53am

8lb 2 oz.

20 1/2 inches long

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers for me and Charlotte.

xoxo

nikki

The countdown in on...

...i go to the dr tomorrow for my "final" checkup. As of last week I was 1 cm dilated and so he wants to check one more time to make sure we are continuing in the right direction. He scheduled me for an induction on Monday the 16th (since he will be out of town on my due date- the 20th) and I am praying that date won't change. I am hoping to post a few picts from the other day...Kim took some pictures of me and I am so excited to see them!!
xoxo
nikki

Baby Girl mini album

I created this using the new Maya Road's acrylic mini album, Jenni Bowlin pearl flowers and rhinestone buttons, Lil Davis chipboard words, and the Basic Grey 6x6 porcelain paper pad as well as their ADORABLE aviary stamps set!! I left room for some pictures of the new baby as well as I found out 3x3 page protectors fit the rings, so I added one in between every page to allow more room for pictures!

dream.design.create.

nikki

Digi crop...

We decided to start the year out right at K2 and offer a free digital LO when you came to crop at the second crop of the month. We wanted to show our local scrapbookers how you don't have to be all digital...you can by a hybrid scrapbooker as well. So if you like your computer, but still like to get your hands dirty...then this is for you!!

(this is the digital LO I created from this kit here and this template here.)

(here is the LO, after I added my photos, paint on the edges, cut out the face and pop dotted it up, added my title, buttons and distress stickles!)

Hope to see you at the crop on the 27th...where you can get your own digi LO and doo dad it up the way you want! :)
dream.design.create.
nikki

a sweet photo

...to start my week off right!
xoxo
nikki

Baby Shower

The table of yummy goodiness...

homemade scones, butter, jam and Devonshire cream

homemade biscotti drizzled in white and milk chocolate

chocolate cake drizzled in white and dark chocolate, filled with hershey hugs...so cute

pepperint bark, cresent cookies, and almond butter cookies

me and riley...i love this pict (thanks Ash for snapping this one)

my girls

the tea cups

my sis in law, lori

sherry, elena, tomi and ashley

thanks mom...these are super comfy!!

A HUGE thanks to everyone who came to my shower and shared this special day with me. We had such delicious food and lots of fun. My favorite part of the day was spending time with each of my friends. I love you all...

xoxo

nikki

Baby Shower Prep Night...

Elena putting the finishing touches on the cake she made.
Ashley stuffing the goodie bags.

Sherry making the Devonshire cream for the scones.

My bestest buddies came over last night to finish baking and set up for my baby shower tomorrow. It was so much fun... Love you guys and thanks so much for doing this for me!!

xoxo

nikki

A few self photos...

I took these this afternoon....6 weeks to go.

xoxo

nikki

Lunchbox Love Notes

I wanted to make something cute, yet practical...so here is a quick project you can make in an afternoon.

Supplies: scalloped square die cut, patterned paper (I used a 6x6 Basic Grey paper pad), a thin sheet of foam, die cut flowers, Prima bling, Making Memories and American Craft letters, a journaling stamp.

Instructions: Cut 2 pieces of foam for front and back covers. Cut out as many scalloped squares you want. Stamp on back of each piece. Embellish cover and ring as shown! TFL

dream.design.create.

nikki

LO Bootcamp is back!!!

(here is a sneak peak of 3 of the 20 LO's we will create during our LO Bootcamp!!)

Join me one more time before I go on maternity leave for an all day LO bootcamp!! I created 20 new sketches along with 20 new LO's with a October Afternoon paper line that is exclusive to this class! You will be scrappin over 50 photos...and the best news is, the class only costs $50.00!!! The workshop is on Saturday February 21st from 10am till 5pm!! When you sign up for the class, I am requiring you leave your e-mail addy so I can send you all the sketches beforehand so you will have your pictures chosen before you come. I will also give you a list of other supplies you will need to make this the most productive day!! Seating is extreemly limited, so if this sounds like a good way to start off your year...then sign up TODAY!! Here is the phone number for K2 941-926-1744.
dream.design.create.

nikki