These Little Moments...

Our time spent on the boat feels like a mini-vacation. I love that we are not distracted by technology, work, or to-do lists while we are enjoying lake life. Sean and I treasure this quality time with our children and each other.

Mother's Day weekend is one of my very favorite weekends of the year. I love taking a day to honor my own mother, as well as the other mothers/grandmothers in my life, and I love the opportunity to be celebrated by my own children and husband! This year, Ashley and I surprised Mom with brunch at a local tea room. This was the first time any of us had been, and it was exactly the experience we had hoped for. There were multiple rooms set up for guests, so the atmosphere felt very intimate. We talked and laughed over delicious food and hot tea in china tea cups. The only thing we were missing was my Granny. She would have loved it, and we will take her as soon as we get the chance! On Sunday, I spent the day with my family. We attended church, had lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, and then picked strawberries at a local farm. It was the perfect day! I feel so blessed to call these babies mine, and that includes my sweet fur baby, who has been through ...

I believe this is the longest I have ever gone without any updates to my blog, this precious space on the Internet that I adore. I have recently been looking back at years past and I hope with all my heart that I can pick up where I left off and make this space a priority once again. My Gracie-girl is turning 7-years-old. I have been re-reading some of the posts that I wrote back when I first began blogging, when she had just turned a year old. One of the hardest parts of looking back has been the realization that it's difficult for me to actually remember her so small. So much has taken place between then and now, including the addition of a baby brother to the family. I just remember her as such a sweet baby, shy and cautious, observant and curious. Raising her thus far (even on our toughest days) has been just the most wonderful experience and journey. We have watched her personality bloom year by year, as she begins to figure out who she is and what she likes/dislikes. ...

This year, we celebrated Halloween with friends and family at Festival 31, an event hosted by our church. There were 12 inflatables, games, a hot dog dinner, and trunk-or-treating. The kids left with buckets full of candy, and I believe everyone had a great time. Gracie chose to be Spider Girl this year, and Ethan was, not surprisingly, a Ninja Turtle! He actually has two Ninja Turtle masks, so you'll notice that in the first few pictures he is Leonardo (blue mask) and in one, he is Raphael (red mask). Here are a few pictures of the kids during Festival 31. I wish I had taken more! The evening was so much fun, but also a bit chaotic. :)

I'm hoping to continue to add posts from the past few months that I never got around to completing! So, here is another from June: After an emotionally exhausting few weeks, a houseful of friends and family proved to be just what this heart needed. We gathered at our house for an evening cook-out and celebrated Ethan's 3rd birthday. It was chaotic and messy and wonderful. These people that we get to do life with make all the difference. The girls, Gracie and Paisley, held a dramatic Frozen scene of their own creation in the backyard. There may, or may not, have been actual tears at one point. Bentley is not one to pass up a chance for kisses, and I can't blame him for his choice. Pierce is super sweet! And so is my Ryleigh-Girl. My boy... I adore him! Megan, close friend and cake-maker, made the cake of Ethan's dreams. Months later, we still have the top tier (which was not edible) as a decoration in Ethan's room. My...

Gracie's dance recital was held on June 20th (I'm just a little behind...). This was her 3rd year dancing with Extravagance and Tumble, and once again, the studio put on an impressive show! Gracie's class did so well during their two dances, one tap and one ballet. I believe that Gracie is a talented 6-year-old, and she certainly has the graceful moves of a ballerina, but she is over dance. I was honestly surprised she allowed us to sign her up again after last year's recital, but she decided to give it another chance. She has since moved on to gymnastics, which she is enjoying much more. Still, I wanted to add these pictures of her in her dance costume before the recital in June.