Just along the ROAD

While traveling back home from Graduation in Abilene, we had 8 hours in the car to see the countryside of Texas and New Mexico... Let's just say that the charming little towns in Texas are a huge highlight.  WE love the quaint little main streets and homes!  ONE fascinating building has been one of our very favorites for all 4 years of traveling back and forth is this abandoned building...

must have been an old church - would love to know the story

of course, my Model is always ready for a photoshoot

love the peely paint

love this shot

Even got my sweetie to pose 

This was our trip back home and it was a perfect day for a photoshoot and a break from the long car ride.

I just love the little remnants of a bird nest and the screen! 

A FEW More from the CASA LUNA

Graduation weekend was so fun- and my last post was mostly about the ceremony!  But we had lots of fun also at the Casa Luna- the little adorable house that Jocelyn lived in her Junior and Senior year with her 4 girlfriends!  This house was a huge blessing- the cutest place with 5 bedrooms/2baths.  The girls had it decorated sooo cute and it was right across the street from Campus... It was absolutely perfect!
Today I wanted to share a few more pix from the house.

Thanks to the Casa Moms we had quite a delicious Party! 

I loved this pic of my kids and their Aunt Rhonda

The friends and family enjoyed sitting around the girls cute living room

In the Kitchen- the girls each had their own chalkboard to leave messages and notes to each other

Who wouldn't love a little Brick house with all those pretty vines climbing?? It was absolutely adorable

These MOMS did a ton to make the party a success! 

Graduation From ACU

Another digital collage by Smilebox

This weekend was NOT just Mother's Day, but also an incredibly special day in the life of the Girl who made me a MOM!  Jocelyn graduated from Abilene Christian University in Abilene and we all traveled to help celebrate..

It was such an awesome weekend and I did have so many photos that I made a collage to share with friends, plus I wanted to add some more here on the blog! 

We enjoyed a Fun Party at the Casa Luna Friday night!  The girls who lived together the last 2 years were absolutely precious and they will all miss this sisterhood in the most awesome house! 

Randy is in the bottom Right of the photo-- the 2nd man from the right... He is Hooding  Jocelyn.. The tradition at ACU is to have a parent or loved one put on the graduates Hood.. 

President Schubert shaking Jocelyn's hand

So Proud of my kids

We were thrilled to have Randy's parents and sisters come to Texas for the Graduation

This is the family Jocelyn will become a part of in August when she and Christian get married!  

It was a fantastic weekend -- everyone had a great time!! 

Celebrating......

This is a weekend for Moms everywhere to celebrate the Fact they are a MOM!   MY weekend is EXTRA special since I am going to be celebrating the YOUNG Lady who Made me a MOM!   We are so excited to be headed to see our College daughter GRADUATE from College!!!   (Yes, I am that OLD!)

We are so blessed to be going to see all these lovely young women get their college diploma!!  (except of course, my youngest -- the shortie in the picture).
These beauties have been such a blessing to my daugther Jocelyn (the blondie) by being awesome friends and housemates!  We can't wait to be there for their awesome day and celebrate their accomplishments!!
Congrats to the Ladies of Casa Luna!!

Get YOUR Copy

Just saw the online release of the June (yes people it is going to be JUNE soon)!  I am excited to have another project in the Cricut Magazine!  Go buy your copy  - it's beautiful on every page!!  You will find MY contribution -- a Party Centerpiece!

That Cover makes me Happy!

Yes- It's my favorite!  A CROWN!

A BEAUTIFUL MESS

I used paint samples to make the invitation.
All the info is on the back.  

This past weekend, we hosted Jensen's 14th Birthday Party!  We planned an Art Adventure for the girls and they made Mixed Media Initials for their rooms..

Here's some of the details.... 

Our paint sample envelopes held the utensils and napkins

this was my favorite decoration!  Thank YOU Pinterest!  I stuck a plastic table cloth inside a paint can and hung it on a tall stand...It was paint spilling all over the table.

Lots of fun goodies to create with

Favor Cans full of trinkets 

The back Patio was our studio

lots of wonderful creativity going on

Every party needs some SWEETS!

 After our creating time- we had a wonderful COLOR fight in the back yard... It was hilarious-- and what a BEAUTIFUL MESS!

It was an awesome day- the Birthday girl was smiling from EAR to EAR! 

Ground Breaking News!!

 This just IN.... WE finally have "Ground Breaking News" happening in Iowa!  The new home we are building for my parents has begun!! Randy and I got to see the  basement being dug last week when we arrived.. God's timing is amazing!  (even though I would have loved it to be alot earlier!)
We are able to see them get the forms up for pouring the basement walls before we returned home.. The short visit there was very productive- as we even started some packing and purging...
50 years in the same house is a long time and lots of closets to clean but we are so excited for them to be in a handicapped accessible home that will make things lots easier for mom and dad!! Stay tuned as we continue to document this and MOVE!!

We arrived and went straight to the lot to shoot our pix of an empty lot.. The flags were there all ready to start to dig.

Today is the BIG day-- Groundbreaking ceremony included praying over this special time...

forms for the basement walls


Feeling very blessed to have been able to go back to Iowa, but now....

Our first day back home was Jensen's track meet

She's zooming right along!!! 

Jensen has done a great job in track

Excuse me, Please, Ladies first!!!!  

Yesterday was Jensen's 14th birthday and since she had a track meet, we only got to take her out for dinner, but stay tuned for more breaking news on the BIG birthday Party... The prep is happening today getting ready for an 

ARTIST celebration tomorrow!