Summer memories part 1

 Is it really August already?  It seems as though it were just yesterday that we had the whole Summer ahead of us.  But here we are in the "dog days" of Summer.....

Drew's mommy will be headed back to school next week so I will have my little "weekday" buddy once again.

I do love the Autumn season and I look forward to all it has to bring.  But Summer also holds special memories as well.  I thought I would share a few of this Summer's memories before it passes us by. 

A few weeks ago Kate, Emma and I had a sleepover at my Mom's house.  Even though I don't babysit them any longer, they are still such a special part of my life.  I love the time I spend with them.  They are growing up so fast. 

When we have our sleepovers, I always let the girls choose a project.  This time it was doll making. 

We did a little sewing.......

Ate a lot of ice-cream.....

And had tons of fun.....

I am so blessed by these girls.

The next Summer memory is  so very special as well.  My Mom, sister, and I hosted a memorial picnic in honor of my Dad.  It was held over Memorial Day weekend and we had the perfect day.  Family and my Dad's closest friends were invited to share in the day.  We made all of my Dad's favorite foods, played his favorite music, made posters of all our favorite photos and asked everyone to come ready to share their favorite pictures and memories.  One of the most special things about this day is that it allowed us to reconnect with my cousins that we had lost contact with for the past 30 years.  What a wonderful reunion we had.  My Dad would have been so happy.

(me, my Mom, my cousin Peggy, and my sister Andrea)

 (my cousin Bobby, cousin Peggy, me, my sister Andrea)

When I first began writing this post I thought I had just a few Summer memories to share.  As I continued writing I found that I have more memories than I thought to share with you all.  I decided to make this a two part post.  Before I close part one of "Summer memories" I will share just one more.  It is one that I am very excited about and one that I have been keeping a secret for some time now.  Cricut Magazine has once again honored me by publishing two of my projects.  I had to wait to tell you until the magazine hit the newsstand. 

I knew that the magazine would hit the newsstand in August but imagine my surprise when I opened this email to find my shadowbox had also been featured in the Cricut on-line newsletter Click on the red link above to check it out :) 
Stay tuned for part two---I have lots more to share :)