Smile at People (To Dos for Chris)

This is page 17 of the graduation book for Chris.

"When it was time for you to start High School, you agreed to go with us to the school on a weekend for a photo shoot. You even brought your friend Hannah with you." 2008

Digital Elements (Echo Park Jessica Sprague) (Cottage Arts Scrap Edges 8)

Help Others (To Dos for Chris)

This is page 16 of the graduation album for Chris. When you read this you'll realize he should be the one writing the "to do" list for me. He was only 14 years old when he performed this very adult act.

"Your decision to join the search for the autistic boy lost in the Dolly Sods wilderness was an unselfish one. You truly wanted to help find Jacob Allen, brother of your friend Micah. You & Adam Raese joined 300 others, mostly adults for two full days of searching in thick underbrush. Everyone who joined in the search was a hero. You're pictured here at home shortly after receiving the text from Micah 'found him!' 2007"

Dad's Marine Album (2006)

James W. Reeves Sr. was a US Marine in World War II. He received a Purple Heart when wounded in action in the Battle of Iwo Jima. This is the album I made for him in 2006.

Sharp Studes (Layout made in 2004)

Today is a big day for race fans, the day of the Indianapolis 500. When I was young my Mom and Dad went to the race, their one big adventure of the year. Pictured here is my Mom, in the early 1960s by their car, a Studebaker. My Dad sold those, and the ad behind the photos is one of his. Note the sticker price on the "deluxe" sedan....less than $2000.

What memories!

Make All Your Friends Feel Special (To Dos for Chris)

Graduation was yesterday and Chris moves into his apartment Wednesday. This is page 15 of the "To Do" album I'm finishing for him.

This is Chris on his 13th birthday at the Mountainlair bowling alley. He and friends, both boys and girls, enjoy each others company. Chris made them feel good. 2006

Digital Elements (Scrapbook Etc. Journaling Cards) (Cottage Arts Scrap Edges 8)

Have a Quiet 1/2 Hour by Yourself to Relax (To Dos)

This is page 14 of the graduation book for Chris.

"Chris relaxes on the Sky Valley dock on a summer evening in 2006."

Deep Creek Lake

Digital Element (Cottage Arts "Scrap Edges 8)

Remember a Special Occasion (To Dos for Chris)

This is page 13 of the graduation book for Chris:

"Chris always loved Halloween. We'd decorate the yard and had a party and always carved a pumpkin." 2006

Digital Element (Digital Scrapbook Place "Eviscerated Fears" Grunged Circle)

Here are 2 more pictures from that night-closeups of Chris' curly hair and curly toes. . . just loved these!

Always Leave Loved Ones with Kind Words

This is page 12 of the book I'm making for Chris.

"Chris & Greg were Ma Ma Gay's only grandchildren. She was so proud of them and loved it when we visited. After Chris wrote his name in the dust on her TV, she would not let anyone clean it." 2005

Digital Elements (Echo Park Jessica Sprague Journaling Block) (Cottage Arts Scrap Edges 8)

Look for the Stars (To Dos for Chris)

This is Page 11 of my graduation book for Chris.

"When it's dark, look for the stars" is one of Robert Schuller's "Power Thoughts".

This photo was made in 2005. "After an exciting summer day in DC, we wait for dinner in a Georgetown restaurant."

Digital Elements (Hero Arts "Seventh Heaven") (Cottage Arts Scrap Edges 8)

Respect Your Country (To Dos for Chris from Mom)

Page 10 of my graduation album for Chris features a picture taken on West Virginia's 140th birthday. Here he is describing the hills of West Virginia. 2003

Digital Elements (Echo Park Journaling Block by Jessica Sprague) (Cottage Arts Scrap Edges 8)

Laugh Every Chance You Get (To Dos for Chris from Mom)

Chris graduates in 1 week, so I'm back to work on the book I'm making for him.

He was 9 and Greg was 15 when we toured Moundsville Prison. This was a family trip we all enjoyed. When Bob took their mug shot, they both played the role of captured cons. 2002

Digital Elements (Scrapbook Etc. Journaling Cards) (Cottage Arts "Scrap Edges 8")

In View

I loved these pictures of Michelle because she looked so happy. I asked Greg if these were posed and he said not at first, but then he asked her to do it again. I couldn't wait to scrap them. Greg called these "Random Minnesota" photos he shot while looking for wedding sites. May, 2011

Digital Elements (Cottage Arts "Foto Frames 1" and "Scrap Frames 9")

West Virginia Born

My friends Mayra & Jairo are moving from West Virgina to Chicago this weekend. It has been a pleasure knowing this sweet couple. We met a few years ago when I was asked to present a program to the WVU Cooking Club. Jairo was "President" of the club. Mayra & Jairo were both students in the Engineering School on the Evansdale Campus, yet frequented our cafeteria on the HSC Campus after that. Last summer they welcomed their first child, Sophia, and I had the pleasure to meet Mayra's Mom who made the trip from her Chilean home. Jairo receives his PhD this weekend and has a good job waiting for him in Illinois. But I'm sad to see them go.

For the baby shower one year ago, I gave the couple an 8 X 8 scrapbook with papers cut to fit. Here is the layout I made for them after the shower:

The top photo was one I took of the family when Sophia was 1 month old.

Photos Summer 2010

Overlooking Home

Cooper's Rock State Forest is 10 miles east of Morgantown. During the Depression between 1936 and 1942, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built many structures in the forest often using durable American Chestnut wood from the trees. Bands of rockcliffs line the Cheat River Gorge on the horizon overlooking home. Easter 2011

Digital Elements (Digital Scrapbooking Place Robyn Gough "Nature's Touch")

Record Your Heritage (To Dos for Chris from Mom)

This is page 8 of the graduation book for Chris.

"Your Dad & I both enjoyed taking your photo as these are some of the best memories we'll ever have. Prickett's Fort & Ohio River. 1999"

The Bo Bunny Mama-razzi word paper says it well: "We may get old and forget but the pictures will always be here for proof."

Digital elements (Joanne Brisebois "Old Movie Frames") (Scrapbooks Etc. Journaling Block)

Remember the Seed in the Paper Cup (To Dos for Chris from Mom)

This is page 7 of the book I'm making for Chris as he graduates high school. He is in Kindergarten posing by a poster made by his teacher, Mrs. Davis. She says: "Remember the seed in the little paper cup: First the root goes down, then the plant goes up."

Journaling: "Your kindergarten teacher Mrs. Davis, like many others, helped you form those solid roots and blossom. Your parents nourish you and friends bring rain and sunshine. 1998"

Mrs. Davis was a senior citizen then, so talented and loving. I recall the school principal, Mr. King, commenting how he didn't know where she got all her energy. It was clear, she loved children. This is a little tribute to Mary Davis who passed away in 2010.

Mary McIntosh Davis received her education degree from WVU in 1953, then studied art under a world renown print maker in New York City. She taught kindergarten in Morgantown beginning in 1967. She was the first teacher from Monongalia County to be awarded a Fulbright which took her to Scotland. She was inducted into the Association of Childhood Education International Hall of Excellence in 1992. Following her retirement, she helped develop the Morgantown Fun Factory. Chris was lucky to have her in class.