Autumn Blessings

Last weekend was just perfect. I spent it with my family...working and playing outside in the beautiful Kansas weather. Here's Eric in the Bobcat, moving some rock around near a rock retaining wall we're building. Guess what? I got to drive the Bobcat too. I am so cool now. Really cool. And just when he thought he was done for the day, I had him move just one more little rock for me. I thought this one would make a nice bench near the garden. When that pretty maple gets gihugicly tall, we can sit under the shade while we watch our garden grow.

That gate in the above photo leads to our Bridge of Terabithia (love that movie). Behind the tree line is magical world all for the girls. There's a creek, a tree house, a tire swing, a fire pit and all kinds of little stick forts built for hiding and paint ball (one of Eric's big adventures in life).

I love this photo of the girls. Without knowing, they each put on the same outfit this day. It totally reminded me of when I'd dress the girls alike when they were little. It was just so much easier to shop that way because the girls were only 15 months apart. It warms my heart that they both picked the same outfit to wear...kinda like that stuff that twins do without knowing.

It was getting a little hot by the afternoon so the girls and I headed to the creek. The girls love when there is running water....that means it's time to get muddy! Here's Jordan doing the *I think I'll push my big sister over* action shot.

And the muddy part came soon enough. There's something about kids and mud. They just can't resist to squish their toes into that smushy stuff!

And this shot of Jordan holding a worm over her mouth. Gross Jordan. Don't do that Jordan.

I prefer this peaceful shot of the cold, clear water trickling over our tootsies. Oh, was it surprisingly cold.....but oh so refreshing! It was so fun to splash around with my girls. Eric told me how happy he was that I take so many photos......that way we can remember all the fun times we had once our girls are grown up and moved on.....or moved nearby hopefully.

Such a beautiful day full of nothing special.......but everything that is special to me. I am truly blessed.

I had such a fun weekend...it inspired me to make this card featuring Papertrey's Autumn Abundance....pretty leaves, acorns, Fall colors....just like our leaves trickling down the creek....Autumn is just around the corner. I paired my pretty pitcher of leaves up with the sentiment that reads *Autumn Blessings*....such a perfect pairing for my card.

My image was colored with Copic markers in lots of Fall-like colors....oranges, reds, browns, and yellows. I finished off my main image with a Dark Chocolate cardstock mat, and a tied Vintage Button. Card base is Kraft with Autumn Abundance patterned paper and a little snippet of brown from the Green Tea Leaves patterned paper collection. My card is finished off with a pretty Orange Zest ribbon.

I hope you are inspired to spend some good, quality time with your family. Nothing special...just being together...feeling blessed to be with the ones your with. Have a great weekend everyone.

It's Nell Hill today with my sister and my niece.......craft show tomorrow.......and now I just found out that my friend Carmen is coming over to scrapbook on Monday! Boy, life just doesn't get any better than this. Friends and family......it's what it's all about. Who needs work?

Uh, Eric needs work.....cuz I'm gonna drop some good chump change this weekend, guaranteed! Snort!!