Family Fun with the Flip...

I had some errands to run last night and several things to mark off my TO DO list...so I set out to meet Shane after work with the intentions of only being gone for a short time and then back home to tackle Mt. Washmore.  However, my plans didn't happen exactly as I had planned....but I am not complaining.  We spent some quality time as a family and we all had a blast being together and just having some fun!

So you are probably asking yourself....what is tis post about?  This is boring....or where does the family fun with the flip come into play?  So here you go...

After our little excursion to the mall and to Hobby Lobby....we decided to grab a bite to eat.   While we were there sitting around the table eating and talking....Parker started being silly!  Imagine that?  So I pulled out this little number  and started capturing our family fun and Parker's silliness.

I was a little skeptical about how the quality of the videos would be and didn't know for sure if it was worth the money.  So I decided I would try it out and let my "Techy" husband take a look and get his opinion and if it didn't work well or the quality was poor...I had every intention to return it to the store.

Let me just say that THE FLIP will not be going back to the store.  It has a new permanent home in my bag!  I wanted something that had great quality video and sound and was light weight and easy to carry....so that I didn't have to carry around our honking big video camera when were were out doing stuff.  This little camera works great is about the size of a cell phone.  So far I have loved everything about it!  Go to the above linked website to find out more info about THE FLIP! 

Here is the thing I like the most....since I have had it ..... I have taken about 25 videos of things going on with us and the kids.  All of these memories that I have captured would not have been recorded without The Flip!  I never carry our big video camera around, but with this I can just reach in my bag pull it out and start recording!  I can't say enough about how much I love this camera!

Here is another thing...this device is a plug and play sort of thing.  It is a built in USB and you literally just plug it into your desktop/laptop and it does all the work for you!

So in my last post I told you I was trying to figure out how the best way to show video in my blog...well, I think I have it nailed down now.   Here is a clip from last night...enjoy! 
Oh, and just ignore my dorky sounding voice and all the silly noises from the girls.....:)  And one last thing...on this upload of the video...it looks a little grainy...but I think that has to do with uploading it to You Tube...because on my laptop straight from the camera...it is crystal clear.

Just a test....

I am trying to figure out the best way to load video clips to my blog.  I have a friend who sent this to me on Mother's Day and I think it is hilarious....so I thought I would share it with you all...and it certainly describes some of what I have been saying around here for the last couple of days.... :)    I am going to be messing around with some settings and trying to put clips on the blog over the next few days....so give me some feedback about how they are showing up in your browser.  I am having a little trouble getting mine to look right.  I think I just about have it nailed down.....the banner is a little off center....but I can fix that pretty simply if that is all that is off...
Enjoy! 

Thursday Thirteen

I read several different blogs and I have seen something similar to this done each week.  I thought to myself what an easy way to highlight some things that are going on with our family and share a few pictures.   So, here it goes....the first installation of Thursday Thirteen!  These are very random...but you get the idea.

 

1. I finally got a picture of Kennedy with her banjo!  Her Gram and Pap had this made for her the last time we were up there!  And she gets teased about it all the time....but a girl can't go to Alabama without a banjo on her knee.....can she?  (I will post more about the banjo at a later date....very cute story)
2. Mallory is officially out of school!  Yesterday was award's day and I am so proud of her!  She received A Honor roll award for maintaining an "A" average in every subject all year long!  Go Mallory!
3. Shane and Gaga (his dad) are out installing a new water heater as I type this.  Ours sprung a leak and it was finally time to upgrade.
4. I have 27 items listed on my "To Do List"....oh and sure....I am gonna to get them all accomplished by bedtime tonight.  :)
5. My brother is getting married next Saturday and I can hardly believe that he is finally going to tie the knot! 
6. Our soccer season (for two kiddos) is over until fall and Kennedy's dance recital will be June 13th and then we will take a break from that also until fall.
7. We are going to Poughkeepsie, NY in less than a month and we are so excited about it....now I just hope that I can get everything accomplished by time to leave. 
8. Finally have my hummingbird feeders hanging and my flowers all done out front.  LOVE this time of the year!  I will try to remember to take a picture and share.  The flowers are beautiful right now.
9. Kennedy will start kindergarten in a little over two months!  Wow!  Where has the time gone?
10. We are going to visit with family next week and I can't wait!  My parents and my sister are flying in for the wedding and that is going to be a lot of fun!  Britt (my sister) has never even seen my two younger kiddos and my parents have not seen Parker since he was about 6 months old.....so it should be a BLAST!  Plus we will get to spend time with my Gram and Pap! 
11. Kennedy got a shiner under her eye a few days ago and it is starting to heal....but boy does she look like she got in a fight!  (she didn't get in a fight, but ran into the back of one of her little buddies)   I felt so bad for her when it happened, but she has been pretty tough about it all.
12. Shane had to "blow away" my laptop a few days ago and start from scratch to repair some things....so I have been doing a little make-over and re-installing some software.....and editing my blog a little.  Have added a few new things.
13. Parker should be about ready to get up from his nap....however, I am trying to savor the quiet for a little while longer.

Have a great day everyone!

And the winners are...

Ok...so I know I am late on the prize giveaway's for this post...

So, since I am still in celebration of returning to blogging and since you all were so kind to leave a comment and a link to your favorite crafty thing....

YOU ALL WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If your name appears in the list below, send me your snail mail address and I will get your little goodies in the mail this week!  Just click on the little link below my picture to email me.

Briana

Jamie

Kim

Amy C.

Renee

Telah

Brianna

 

Have a great day everyone!

What is your problem?!?!!?!?!?!?!?

Man!  I can't believe that I have allowed myself to go lax on this blog again and yes....I ask myself frequently....WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?  Could it be that I am a wife and mother that doesn't seem to be able to juggle too many balls in the air at the same time?  Could it be that it is the end of the soccer season and the school year and there is something going on everyday around here?  Could it be that I have been struggling over some very tough decisions and torn about what is the right thing to do?   It could be!  :)

Anyhow, whatever my problem is or has been....I need to take care of it and get with the program.  I will admit that I am a procrastinator and that I tend to crawl into my safe place when there is stress and a lot going on.....there I said it!  :)

So, will I promise that my journaling and recording important memories here is back?  I said earlier that I intend to keep up with this blog and I did mean it....and I will.  I may not be SUPERBLOGGER and post everyday or even every other day.....but I will keep it current! 

And whether you know it or not....to all my blogging friends....it means a lot to read your comments and know that y'all still haven't given up totally on me!  Oh and btw, KIM.....Happy 4th of July!  :)

See Ya! 

Happy Birthday My Little Man!

Yes, that is right!  We have celebrated two birthdays in our home this week!  Today is Parker's 2nd birthday....and although I am a little late getting this post on my blog....I still wanted to take the time to wish him a Happy Birthday!  Of course, by the way he acted today....I am really pretty sure that he had no clue what in the world all the celebrating and singing of Happy Birthday was about....but oh well!  It was fun to see the look on his face when his sisters would start singing to him.

So on this post I will spare any sappiness....since I gather from some of my readers that they couldn't take the sappy songs I posted on the birthday post for Monday.  :)

Let me just say this...I really cannot believe that my last little baby is TWO!  When I think about it.......I keep thinking.....wasn't it just a little while ago when I was bringing him home from the hospital for the first time?

So in honor of Parker's birthday....I thought I would share a couple of pictures with you.

From this:

To this:

Happy Birthday Parker!  I love you sooooo much!

We are going to party a little bit this weekend in honor of the birthdays so I will have more fun photos to share with you later on!

Notice to ALL Lurkers and extending the RAK...

Because of the small number of entries....Hint:  scroll down and read the BOO! post if you are interested in winning a super little surprise in your snail mail box....

And to make this fair to everyone....including you lurkers who are not scrappers.....I have decided to extend the deadline for entries and modify it just a little bit....you do not have to send me a link to your favorite scrapbook page only....if you are crafty in anyway or if there is some new awesome home decor item, or any new little gadget that has made your life easier....share away!  Like I said before, I will pick one winner from a hat filled with all the names of people who leave comments and then one winner for what the judges deem to be the "coolest" item left for us to read about or see! 

I am going to extend the deadline until Saturday, May 10th.  Winners will be drawn on Mother's Day!  Woo Hoo!

So get crackin' and leave me some comments so that I will have more than just three people from which to pick a name!  :)

Happy 8th Birthday Mallory!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!  I love you so much!

I can hardly believe that Mallory is turning eight today!  I know that people say this a lot....but where does the time go? 

I sat yesterday and watched this precious girl....just thinking to myself....you can not be about to turn eight!  I looked over last night, and immediately I noticed something different about Mallory.  She looked so grown up......she had changed....it seemed like over night.  I smiled at her and she smiled back.  I am sure she was wondering.....why are you staring at me Mama? 

I was having such mixed emotions.....look at her, she is beautiful, she is sweet, she is fun, she is smart, she is so full of life.....but then my brain would switch gears to.....she is growing way too fast, how can I slow this down, does she know how much I love her, do I make the most of every moment that God has given me as her mother, am I teaching her the right things and the right ways?  So many things running through my head.....

I never believed how quickly time would pass until I became an adult with my own children.  I am sure that Mallory doesn't realize how the time passes...... she is unaware that she is changing and maturing .....and growing up way too fast!  So many times she has said to me....Mama, I can't wait until I am 16! ..... or Mama, when am I going to be old enough to ____________? (you fill in the blank with your own experiences)

When she says things like that I just want to pick her up and hold her and tell her not to wish her life away and that the time will come soon when she will be able to do those things that she is only wishing for right now. 

I want to tell her to enjoy her youth and be happy and content with your life now.  Remember that God has blessed you so much!  Take your time and savor every minute you are given!  Oh, there is so much more I want to tell her.....but before I can say it all.....she is off and running to the next thing on her mind. 

Lately, I have been hearing two songs on the radio a lot....I know why they are so popular and why people really listen to the words of the songs.  If you get a chance today....click on these links and take a few minutes to listen to the songs.  Even though I get emotional when I hear them.....I still listen and try to take in the words.  They help me....they remind me.....they encourage me.....to make the most of every moment with my children! 

You're Gonna Miss This:

http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--58666527

Don't Blink:

http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dp4ySSg4QG8g

Have a great day and remember to savor each minute you are given!