For you, bro... (and a RAK, too!)

I have always looked up to and admired my brother. Ok, well, maybe not *always* ;-) I mean, afterall, there were many years during our childhood when we fought and couldn't really stand each other, lol. But, my big bro is 5 1/2 years older then me, so when he moved out of the house for college, I was only 12. And at that point, once he was no longer my partner in crime against the parental units, I realized how much I missed having him around. And we continued to get closer as we got older. Finally, when I was in college, I reached true "cool enough" status when he started letting me come to his parties and crash his tailgate parties at his alma mater (which was my college, too!). My brother is a kind-hearted, funny, sports-addicted, awesome guy, and i'm so proud of the person he is and all his successes and accomplishments in life! I truly hope that my children will nurture the sibling bond like my brother and I have! And I'm also thankful that he gave me one darned cool sister-in-law and the cutest and coolest niece and nephew ever!

(Don't forget you can click on the photos to see them larger)

I made this layout using all Fancy Pants products, and I used one of the pages from the On A Whimsy notebook to frame my photos. I stitched a paper ruffle along the outside of the notebook page, and I used a page from the Delight notebook (I loooooove those FP notebooks!), cut in half, underneath my photo mat. Oh, and to make those circles on the background pp, I stamped paint on an empty toilet paper roll - it was so much fun :-)

Journaling reads: I pulled your hair when I was little, and you still stuck by me all these years! You've always been my protector, my support, and most importantly, my friend. Despite the "fighting years" when "all I did was talk on the phone" (your words, not mine!), I have the fondest memories of growing up with you. I knew then, and I still know now, that if I needed anything, you'd be there. I hope you know how much that has always meant to me, and I really hope you know that i'm always here for you, as well. Thanks for being an amazing big brother... thanks for always being there!

Finally, if you have read this far, lol, you get rewarded by a chance to win this new Stamping issue by Scrapbook Trends which is on newstands now. There is lots of great inspiration inside! Just leave me a comment on this thread, and i'll pick a name on Sunday.

Hope everyone is having a great week!