Exciting things are Happening!!

So...we did it!! Angie and I are the proud owners of The Scrapbook Store, in Greenfield, WI. For those of you that may not know, The Scrapbook Store has been in business since 1996 and has had one owner and 3 different locations (4, if you include the 2nd store in Germantown, WI). Lee Friske, the owner, at least the owner up until last Friday, is retiring. Angie and I just couldn't bear to see the store close, so it will be re-opening by the end of October at a new location, 4466 South 108th Street, Greenfield, WI! We are so excited about this move and change! We will be re-vamping the store (so-to-speak), focusing on krops and special events, while carrying the latest and greatest product. We even have a few new ideas up our sleeves. I will soon be posting a link to our new blog, so you can track the progress along with us!! Stay tuned for more info!!!

On A different note, my friend, Dawn, opened an Etsy shop. She makes beautiful handmade jewelry...check it out... http://www.katzworld.etsy.com/

Hello Again!!

I was recently told that my blog was "boring" because I've been AWOL lately. That is from the blogging world anyway! I've been super-busy with a few projects which has allowed little to no blogging time. One project I can't officially mention yet. I've never been a superstitious person before, but for some reason, I feel the need to wait a bit longer before mentioning it. Some of you that know me, know what I am referring to, and I'm really hoping to announce the big news this week sometime.

The other little project keeping me extremely busy lately has to do with my daycare. Kids come into the daycare and before you know it four or five years pass by and they are off to school. This is a little sad for me, to think that all their little friendships they have made can come to an end after spending more waking hours with each other even over their parents in most cases. So...way back when, I decided to get these cuties back together with their friends at least once a year during our "Backyard Campouts".

Each year the groups that grew up together (usually 6 or 7 in a group), get together at my home and we have tons of games, always different, with a few traditional things thrown in such as water balloon fights, silly string fights, and scavenger hunts. The kids really enjoy this, and I have to say, I love listening to them all reminisce about the past years they've spent together.

I leave it up to the oldest in each group to end the campouts, which go well into their high school years. This year I have one coming to an end and I have to say, it is very bitter-sweet. I know we'll keep in touch in other ways, but the campouts are such a huge part of keeping in touch. This particular group happens to be the only group that is all boys. That's right, 6 guys and 2 girls in one tent (Me and Carole), eating beef jerky and telling spooky stories (my personal favorite is Brett's Bloody Fingers which he tells every year)! The tent has gotten smaller and smaller through the years and maybe even a little smellier as the years past, but I still love it!!!

Here's a picture of the little guys taken 10 years ago:

Here is Brett, Joe, Alec, Nicholas, Brandyn, and Ethan

And here are the big guys now at our "Survivor" campout this past weekend:

Jordan (he joined us about 6 years ago), Brett (he's about 6' and 230 lbs), Alec, Ethan, Joe and Brandyn

The end of an era...tear tear...love all you guys!!