I think I'm ready to get back in the swing of things. The events of the last two weeks still weighs heavy on our hearts, but we're starting to volunteer and see the people of our beautiful state work together to put things back where they belong. I have endless pages of pictures to share from the weeks before the storm and I thought I'd start with these. After Sophie ate her smash cake and the gifts were all unwrapped, she and her friends hit the swing set. It was a little breezy, but it was nothing a few sweaters and some giggles couldn't fix. Daddy & Sophie Alston & Ave Reese Bella, Ella & Sophie This little bit loves to swing so much more than her sister did at this age. We would try and try again, but Ella screamed every single time. Sophie, however, stands at ...
ella
Somebunny
Somebunny wants to wish you a very Happy Easter ...
Sneaky: A Redux
First of all, thank you so much for all of the wonderful comments on the first sneak peek of our family photos this week. After I hemmed and hawed for three days, Kamin emailed me a few more pictures. Not exactly "more" pictures, just different ones. See? Before After Before After I told you she was the BEST. Unfortunately, I still need to make a decision! ...
Sneaky
On Saturday, we met K bright and early for a family photoshoot. It was very grey outside, so we were glad for bright blue eyes and pretty green grass. I have had an idea in mind for this shoot for months - I knew I either wanted pics of us waist deep in rye grass or lying on a blanket in a pile. Random right? When K sent me these sneaks this morning I knew I couldn't make a decision. I need help, people! 1. Conceptually, this is what I had in mind. I love that it isn't "too" posed and I LOVE the grass. What I don't love? My face. 2. Again, love this and everyone in it. But me. Why am I so weird looking here? I don't think that even looks like me. 3. Then the sun started peaking out, my necklace broke {Ella is playing with the beads here} and the girls got happy. I love this ...
Guess Who?
Guess who took her first spin on the boat today? SD has been soaking up his last week of "freedom" before starting his new job on Monday. He's had some time to do things around the house, spent a day with his two best girls and spent quite a bit of time on the water. Ella had been begging to go fishing with him and today was the day. I packed her a sack lunch, she was very particular about her outfit and I had to get her up early and help her get dressed and ready for her big day. You might ask, how did it go? Not very good; the pictures are a bit misleading. Daddy said her major complaints were that the "boat was moving too much", "it might tip over", "we might sink" and "I can't see the shore". My personal favorite story from the day? She needed to potty and wasn't thrilled about ...
Blue Skies and a Birthday Boy
Last Saturday afternoon, we spent some time outside enjoying a gorgeous day with beautiful blue skies. We were celebrating this boy's first birthday. Lake is one month older than Soph, almost to the day. Ryan & I get to enjoy each other's company while our littles play together. It is awfully convenient that our kids are all the same age. It makes you wonder if God knew what he was up to or something?! He wasn't sure what to think about everyone looking at him and singing to him and he wasn't having ANYTHING to do with his birthday cake (although, I hear he dug right in later in the day). That didn't keep him from opening his gifts and playing puzzle with Sophie, though. This little farm puzzle was from us and has nice chunky handles to move the pieces around. These two ...
Graduation
Guess who graduated into big girl seats this morning? I've been meaning to get Ella a booster seat for several weeks and she finally reminded me enough times that I stopped on my way home last night to pick up the big surprise. You would have thought I brought ice cream or something. I was going to wait until Soph's birthday to move her into the Britax, but I figured if I had to unlatch and untether and relatch and retether, I may as well do it all at once. Can you say happy girls? This might have been the easiest morning buckle-up in my parenting history. She looks so tiny to me in this big ole seat Two happy girls, ready for school! Ella screaming about how happy she is and how much she loves her new seat And just in case anybody needs to know, Sophie is in an appropriate ...
Valentine’s Day is Over??
I forgot to share what my little bitties got for Valentine's Day. Better late than never, right? It isn't a huge day around our house, but I do like to help my girls make something special for their friends and I always buy them a sweet little treat to open at breakfast or dinner, depending on when the holiday falls. This year, SD and I kind of got our wires crossed and he ended up with V-Day plans that didn't include me. It was kind of funny after I got over having my feelings hurt. From now on I'll know that when I say "no Valentine's" to indicate no gifts, it can easily be interpreted as "no Valentines" as in let's not celebrate at all. They should write a manual on how men and women speak different languages! Instead, we had yummy crock-pot chicken tacos that I put on that ...