As I sit here pumping out rainbow themed images today I am reminded of the Apple logo. The rainbow colored apple. Then of course I’m typing on my apple wireless keyboard and using my magic mouse that are talking to my MacPro tower and I realize the impact Steve Jobs and his vision have had on my life. Everyday I use one of many of his inventions. I answer calls, text, post to google+ and more from my iPhone. I send and receive my e-mail at my mac e-mail address. I watch movies and listen to music downloaded from iTunes. I play that music and watch those movies on my Apple TV or one of the many iPods in our home. My children do their homework on a Mac Laptop wirelessly from an Apple airport. I learned to love computers on an Apple IIe in high school.

There is not a single company that is more engrained into my life. Yes I’m an apple junkie, but only because I love the products, not because I fall for the advertising. I Love how they make my life easier. They make it possible for me to work more efficiently and spend more time with my family. They make it easier to connect with family and friends throughout the day. And yes they do it with style.

Thank you Steve Jobs for your vision, leadership and drive. I hope that the employees and board of Apple will continue what you have started.

I’m going to do what I can to implement one little Apple saying into my life and work. But there are many of Steve’s words that ring true in my head. Some of his quotes are listed below.

Think Different.

“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”

“You can’t just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they’ll want something new.”

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

“Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles.”

“It comes from saying no to 1,000 things to make sure we don’t get on the wrong track or try to do too much.”

“That’s been one of my mantras — focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”

“[Y]ou can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. … Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”

“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

So here is the handsome Kaleb and lovely Callie before heading out the door to the dance. Aren’t they cute.

CA

Here are the images close up that are on the treats.

This one is for the family, but I don’t have it done yet.

A huge thank you to Leah at Envision Wedding Studio who was kind enough to once again lend her talents and design so much for his party!

With a bit of class and style in design by the fabulous Leah of Envision Wedding Studio we added a bit of humor. Hope you like it.
CA

Here is my baby. Getting all grown up.
CA

We don’t normally exchange gifts, but this year we gave Ayden a skateboard. He loves to go to the skatepark with his brother and we thought it fitting that he had his own.

A half-pipe cake with graffiti was prepared by Hagmans Bakery. I love how the decal on the window cast a shadow right on Ayden.

At the end of the night we busted a skateboard pinata.

And some of the fun details for you all to see.
Ayden’s invitation was designed by Leah at Envision Wedding Studio.

Giant Lollipops for favors with name tags by Envision also.

Wall and window decals matched the invitations and were printed by Outlaw Graphics. Decals are a great way to dress up an empty wall.

Carrying through the skateboard theme with these little favors.

We have this wall of frames. These frames are great because it’s easy to change out the images. For the party I put all of Ayden’s last birthday party pictures in the frames and wrote the year on them with chalk.

The whole room.

The half-pipe cake by Hagmans Bakery.

Balloons from Party Depot in Brookings.

Napkins in matching colors also from the Party Depot.

]]> http://www.acellisblog.com/2010/01/aydens-7th-birthday-party/feed/ 0 http://www.acellisblog.com/2009/12/snowed-in-with-the-ellis-family/ http://www.acellisblog.com/2009/12/snowed-in-with-the-ellis-family/#comments Sun, 27 Dec 2009 05:01:00 +0000 Cory Ann http://www.acellis.com/blogprep/?p=1313 We have been getting a lot of the cool white stuff around these parts. Thought I’d share some of the family fun in the snow and snowed in.
CA

I woke up early on the 25th and managed to get a picture of our street before the plows came through and dirtied it up. I love how the trees cover the street. It’s beautiful in the spring and fall also.

Ayden likes to decorate the cookies. His third favorite thing about sugar cookies behind licking the beater and eating them of course.

Look at his concentration

The end result

Guinness wanted to get dressed up too. Our Reindog. He is such a good boy and puts up with so much.

On the 25th most of the area woke up to a bunch of snow and a huge change in plans. My dear husband went out and plowed the entire block. Kaleb even shoveled a neighbors drive. I like this image because you can see Ayden watching his dad help a neighbor. Setting a good example.

Guinness and I spent some time inside. He wasn’t too happy about that. While he is a momma’s boy he would much rather be outside running around.

He thinks he’s an ostrich.

Kaleb tried it too.

And then both of the boys buried Guinness after he stuck his head in the snow.

All of my boys.

Kaleb has been working on this snow fort for about a week now.

The Tom and Jerry’s Mix

Andy and I with Ayden.

Before we left the house.

Waiting in line to go in.

One last look before heading off to class.

Kaleb flinching as Guinness storms by.

Guinness playing with Ayden he looks like he’s in pain but Guinness misses him each time.

Here’s my boy o and Guinness keeping watch.

Yes this is probably what is going through Ayden’s head when I make him sit still for pictures. It’s a tough job, but someone needs to be my light tester.
CA