Don't Forget to Laugh and Play

Hello, friends!  After a very busy week, I was able to squeak in a little time to make one card.  I had to play along at CASology after such a busy week...the theme this week is RELAX!

I am also entering this in the current Simon Says Stamp! "Anything Goes" Challenge ... they are featuring Hero Arts stamps this week!





Finally, I am entering this in the new contest at A Blog Named Hero to use any kind of embossing (in my case, I dry embossed the background).




I embossed the card base using a Cuttlebug Seeing Spots folder, then popped up one of the I Care Frame Messages from Hero Arts.  I paper-pieced the sun on gingham yellow paper and added white pen and black enamel dots in the eyes for a little extra touch. 
I think this sentiment is all about relaxing!

(This next bit is not card-related, feel free to skip if you aren't interested!)

So, why so busy this week?  My DH was off and we enjoyed some family time before school starts up next week.  We went out to dinner.  We went to the beach for a day and an evening at the boardwalk.  We finished painting the girls' bedroom (one wall "Iced Purple" and the rest "Cottage White," then I stenciled a multi-colored circle pattern around all four walls to tie it together...the "Grape Soda" rug is in, too!  After much drama, tears, individual counseling, and compromising, it is DONE!  Thank God!)

On Wednesday, we went for a day trip to New York to visit Ellis Island, Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty. 

Ellis Island, the very building where many of our family ancestors arrived from countries including Italy, Germany and Ireland.  How amazing to stand on the same floors and walk the same "Stairs of Separation" and sit on the same benches as our very own immigrant ancestors.  Amazing.

Lady Liberty...so majestic on such a beautiful, sunny day. Unfortunately it is under construction so we couldn't go inside it this time. 

Here is the view of the New York cityscape (remind you of any Hero Arts stamps?).  It was a difficult site to see for me, since the last time I saw it in person there stood the twin towers of the World Trade Center in the middle of it all.  The new 1 World Trade Center currently being constructed is already the tallest building in New York (see THIS article for more information about the new tower).  Can you pick it out in the picture?  It is the tallest building on the left.  That does inspire renewed hope.    

Here are my sweeties in front of the Statue of Liberty. 

We really enjoyed our day trip as we wind up a wonderful summer together. 

Before we left, my youngest son also asked to strike a particular pose but I didn't understand why...then my DH explained the reference.  Ha!

Sorry for the "extras," I just enjoyed our day so much I wanted to share it with you. 

Now we need to shift gears are get ready for the start of school (and my return to work) next week.  But we should all remember: don't forget to laugh and play sometimes, too!

Thanks for stopping by!
Judy