CKC Fort Lauderdale!

Im back from an awesome and probably the longest vacation taken- Helen and I went to CKC (Creating Keepsakes Convention) in Fort Lauderdale. It was a 2-fer trip I like to call it, maybe a 3-fer...meaning...1. To get away, get refreshed, and take classes 2. Really get away 3. Take my son on vacation to visit his relatives.

When the opportunity came up for Helen and I to take a trip, I picked the other side of the country!!! But it was great- It was Helens 1st time in Florida- Becasue of the long flight, and lack of choices for flights, we actually got to be Florida tourists, before and after the convention---Heres how it went...

Luckily we had Joan, Masons Grandma (My EX's Mother) take us to Hollywood beach the 1st day! (ignore dates on pics- my camera wasnt set!)

The next day we hit Everglades Air Boat Tours... to see alligators..yes real ones...I had done this tour 7 years ago, but it was just as thrilling to have an alligator swim up to your boat...mason wasnt too thrilled, his Cousin Christian was with him and did enjoy it ....ohhh also-- my camera WASNT on zoom....thats how close you are to the gator!

Then, as Florida weather is, it started to rain...not a sprinkle here or a sprinkle there, but think about how much water comes out of a shower head...yes! it was pouring, but it was warm rain, and beautiful....well the boat started dripping- Helen was on the edge and got SOAKED!

We got off the boat and made a run for the gift shop- we were drenched...mason really liked the rain..not the THUNDER..Never in my life have i heard such loud thunder! Did you notice the before and after pics, no rain vs. rain..thats how fast it comes!


Later that night, we went to a restaurant called the Rustic Inn, Mason and Helen wanted to try Gator and Frogs Legs... I had a kids meal burger!!! (ok i tried tha Gator!) Mason also had Crab, and they give you mallots and bibs!

We stayed at Shirleys Condo, (masons Great-Gram) and there were these HUGE slugs that come out at night!!!!

On to the convention, We took 13 classes and 3 crops-




Thursday Night Crop- We made and entire 6x6 album


Friday Classes-(reviews to come)

One, Two, Three..4x6:

Fun and Fast Tips for Journaling:



Always and Forever




Playful Pages




Not Your everyday Clipboard




Scheming Around




Stretch your Supplies




Focus on Family and Friends





Saturday Classes

Home Tour


One Day at a Time




Clearly Visable




Pushing Limits




4 Album enhancing Techniques

Our Favorite teachers by far were Megan Hoeppner from Simple Scrapbooks





And Emily Of Creating Keepsakes

The last night after the last crop, we got the giggles...we had been plotting for the days that we were at the convention center, to take some fun photos with the carpet..... Ill let the pictures tell the story....






Oh and then Helen Felt like she might want to leave her family and move to Florida and get a job at the Convention Center...here is her audition....(See, we had the giggles!)


It was back to the Dania Beach the next day...I played in the sand with the boys, feeling like a kid again, just enjoying! When it the last time I did that???? I dont know! Here was my favorite view lying on the beach...


And here was Helens favorite view when we went swimming at Shirleys Condo (Hahaha - Ill explain this pic more later!!!)

Back to the airport , on the plane, did i mention i HATE FLYING!!! And back home !!!