Monday, June 29, 2009

My First Creation



Well it took me all day, but I did my first digital scrapbook page. I hope now that I'm kind of getting the feel for the program that I might "artsy" side will kick it up a notch so I can do more than one page in one day~ Oh well, it was fun and I'm glad to be figuring it out!

Giving Digital Scrapbooking a Try!

Years ago back when scrapbooking was all about Creative Memories, dye cuts, fancy scissors, punches and stickers I was an avid scrapbooker. I kept up pretty good and actually really enjoyed it. Well, life happened, scrapbooking supplies were put away into storage and I haven't scrapbooked ever since. Needless to say, after years of missing out on the latest scrapbooking trends, my old ways are, well, "old school," and I now have to catch up with the new. So, after looking at lots of different scrapbooks and being educated by my sister, Andrea, I think I'm ready to take it up again. I have been introduced to some new words in my scrapbooking lingo such as Photoshop Elements, embelishment, elements, overlays, brushes, etc... way different from the good ole days! I've decided that rather than doing the traditional manual cutting, sewing, gluing, and taping blah, blah, blah-- you know all the stuff that takes way too much time, I would allow my computer to do the dirty work. I am taking on DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING!! I have learned there are several ways to perform this challenge so for my first project, just to get my feet wet, I went to a website called Smilebox where all I had to do was add pictures--so easy! While I don't plan on this being my method of scrapbooking I thought I'd try different techniques to find what works best for me. Eventually, I hope to move up to expert status and someday become as good as my sister, Andrea Sponenburgh. You really must check out her blog to see the adoreable scrapbooking pages she has done both traditionally and digitally http://andreaspon.com. What an inspiration!

Below I have put together a scrapbook of Ava's birth. I chose this so that when the new baby is born I will put together some scrapbook pages and be able to share a comparisons of their births. I can't wait to see what this little princess is going to look like! Anyway, enjoy for now and I'll be sure to add updates as I learn more and more about the digital scrapbooking world. Andrea, I'll be in touch!!

Click to play this Smilebox scrapbook: Ava's birth
Create your own scrapbook - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Trip to San Diego and Salt Creek Beach

We were able to take a little vacation a couple of weeks ago down to San Diego where we visited the San Diego Zoo, followed by Sea World. What a hit! I have to say I love Sea World! It is so refreshing and clean, and not to mention, Ava had a blast! After all of the park fun we headed up a little bit north to Mission Viejo where we met up with our friends, Ken, Rachael, and Paul Franklin who were out visiting from Maryland. Rachael and I took Paul and Ava to Salt Creek Beach while Shane and Ken played (what else?)--golf. It was such a beautiful day and I just have to post these pictures of sweet Paul! What a beautiful little boy! Ken and Rachael, we had a blast with you--even if it was short lived and we can't wait for you to move out here!!

San Diego Zoo!












Sea World! Ava loved the Shamu show. Everyday she walks around the house yelling "Shamu, Shamu" waving her arms up and down like the whale fin. She loved the whales and talks about it all the time.









Ava got the chance to meet Elmo and Big Bird. She didn't really want to pose with them she just wanted to give Elmo lots of hugs!




Ava and Shane before the 4D Sesame Street show. It was so funny watching Ava during the show as she tried grabbing for everything and falling back when things shot toward her face! True entertainment!!







Salt Creek Beach!
While waiting for Shane and Ken to play golf, Rachael and I took the kids to a local beach and it was absolutely beautiful! The weather couldn't have been more perfect and the kids had a great time!




Paul--Isn't he adoreable!!!


I love this picture of Rachael and Paul--so precious!

Ava Turns 2!!

It seems like she was just born, but our little Ava turned two years old on April 7th. We had a small birthday party in our backyard with Minnie Mouse as the theme. We had our close friends over and had a great time. Thank you to all of our friends who came to join in the celebration. Times like this can be difficult with family living so far away, so your friendship means so much to us. Thank you all for your loving support! We truly treasure your friendship. Ava had a great time!













Ava pushing Cameron Cardoza




Opening presents! Sophie Garcia, Mason Cardoza, Ava and me


Looks like trouble. Ava and the boys: Brandon Cardoza, Ava, Mason Cardoza, and Trent Wanagitis

She refuses to smile because she hates getting her picture taken, Ava eating her birthday lunch.

Tasha Wanagitis and Jayden Mcnew