A fisherman, a helper, and a lot of sugar

I am pretty much mortified to be posting this picture.  My wonderful husband decided very late one Friday night he needed some bate for fishing the next morning.  He volunteered to take the girls all by himself, because you know how I feel about WM.  Can you believe he took this sweet thing in her pajamas?  No worries, he said they fit right in.

A sampling of the catch.

Isn't it funny how fishing results in putting meat in the freezer?  At least that is what he says every time he leaves to go fishing!

This girl took it upon herself to clean the entire back porch while we cooked.

After dinner, we lost our mind.  We gave these girls cotton candy, popcorn, and M&M's.  Since the West Texas Fair and Rodeo was in Abilene, we decided we would pretend we were there.  All we were missing was Aggie Fries and lemonade.

Scarf Swap

Better late than never, right?  I joined the fun with Meredith over at The Tichenor Family, in her annual  scarf swap.  I must say, I have never been too much of a scarf person.  In the majority of my adult life, if I were to wear a scarf it would stick up too much, if you know what I mean.  It was always super awkward and I really didn't need anymore attention directed in that area.  Anywho, scarves have come so far and so have the ways you can wear them.  I own several now and am anxious for fall weather to be able to wear them.

I was paired with sweet Page, and couldn't have asked for a better partner.  Several emails, and scarves were mailed.  Being from Texas, I understood the hot temperatures and what kind of scarf would work the best for her.  I ended up getting her an awesome scarf from Loft (and the same for myself) :).  Page got me the most incredible infinity scarf.  I love it, Page!!!  Thank you so much!

Thank you Meredith for hosting!!

Sibling Day

Have you heard of this day?  Me either.  

Honestly, I am so glad to have a day to celebrate siblings.

I absolutely, without a doubt have the most incredible sisters and brother.

I wish I would have taken notice the fact that our country celebrates being a sibling because the 3 of you would have gotten a cute little package in the mail :)

oh well.

Mackenzie, J, and Molly,

I am so beyond blessed to call you siblings.

You have stood by my side thru the best and the worst.

There is no doubt in my mind you have helped make me who I am.

Thank you for loving me and my girls, (and Mike).

Thank you for who you are!

I love you!!

SN: This picture was taken 5 weeks before I had HG, at J's rehearsal dinner.  Ugh, I can't even believe I used it!

Menu Monday

No big surprise

Well, I was hoping to discover that I was an incredible artist.  Didn't happen.

Little ones

I love being able to spend the day with my little girls.  We have the greatest time.  Well, honestly I spend most of the day laughing at the things that come out of Madelynn's mouth.  Oh what I would do for Audrey to be able to be home with us!

Isn't she sweet?

I cannot get enough of these dresses!!

That will teach me to let her pick her flavor of ice cream.  Ha!

sweetness!

Took this girl to work one day.  Greatest decision of the week!  The ladies "in the back" made her mac and cheese, broccoli, oranges, and a brownie.  I am so thankful for a wonderful job that allows me to be with the girls so much, and for the great people I work with!

Our favorite meal, Chipotle!  Not gonna lie, this time they knew what we wanted before we even ordered.  Yikes!  We don't even go that often.  I am blaming it on the fact that I have cute memorable girls!

Trying

Not only am I trying to catch up in the blog world, I am also "trying" to do a couple of other things.

Believe it or not, sweet precious has never spent one night in her crib.  Call me a slacker parent, I blame it completely on Mike.  I am finally to the point I have to put my foot down.  This whole cry it out thing, does not work with this baby.  I had to start somewhere, so naps it is.

We intended on this girl starting the pre-k program this year.  We did not meet the income requirements, blah, blah, blah, don't even get me started.  MP was completely devastated to not be able to go to school w/ AK and asked if I would "home school" her.  Well, how do you say no to that?  This was her first day of school.  I knew for this to work, we had to have a routine.  Having breakfast, getting dressed, etc.

She is having the greatest time learning and being creative.  Let's just say, our attention span has a long way to go before next year.

and just for goodness sake, this is what sweet precious does while we do school.

First Day of School

First, how in the world is this girl in the 3rd grade?  Second, how in the world did I only get one picture?

Audrey Kate, I am so beyond proud of you. 

 I cannot wait to see what this year has in store for you.

The end of the summer

Look who's smiling!!!  I thought she liked green juice, apparently I was wrong.

The girl would sleep just like this every night if I would let her.

I have no words for this picture.  Her daddy on the other hand, had lots!

The girls found some friends in the backyard one morning.

If we go out to eat, we have discovered it needs to be a place that serves hot sauce.  This girl could live on hot sauce alone.

AK wanted a backpack like Momo and Hunky this year.  Thank goodness for Nordstrom sales and a gift card I forgot about.

Thank goodness not all of my children hate taking pictures.

In case you didn't know, I do not like chocolate.  I have several blog, instagram friends raving about these cookies, so I decided the girls needed to try them.  Umm, apparently I love chocolate!  These are to die for!  If you have the chance go get ya one, or 1/2 a dozen.  

Just a couple more pictures because she is so stinkin' cute!!

The Heart of a Servant

My sweet girl decided she wanted to donate her hair last summer.  My sister, Molly donated hers last year and AK thought it was the most amazing thing.  I of course forgot to take a picture of the before, makes me sick.

Here is the end result.  We went back to the same girl at Bangs and Bows, and we were pleased once again.  I love this picture because you can see the joy in her face.

Sisters had plenty to play with.

This child is such a blessing.  She is such a servant and always willing to be a helper.  I am so looking forward to the future and what God has in store for her.  Whatever it may be, I am sure this girl will be a servant.

A different kind of birthday

Those of you that know me, know throwing a party is my thing.  Honestly, it is a little ridiculous.  I love throwing a party and love every little aspect of the planning.  We decided this year would be a little different.  Since we do not know very many people here, or at least ones to invite to a party, we decided on a family party.  You have to know this killed me.  I usually spend months looking for the perfect invite, decor, etc.  This required deciding what we wanted to do the night before.  

Sweet girl got to wake up to several bday cards.  Thank you to each of you!! 

MP decided she wanted Maximus food aka P.F. Chang's.

This was her fortune.

After lunch, we headed to get a haircut.  This child has only had 2 haircuts her entire life.  Her hair is super frustrating to me, I am not exactly sure what we will do with it in the future.  We tried a children's salon called Bangs and Bows, success.  The girl who cut her hair had curly hair as well, so we were in business.  

Across the parking lot was the  Charleston famous little cupcake joint called, Cupcake.  The girls picked out a cupcake and their mama walked next door for some McAlister's sweet tea.

We drove home to open presents,

and for some reason this is the only picture I took.  Her sweet big sister got this doll for her.  Her mama and daddy got her some boring clothes.

We ended the day by a walk around the neighborhood.  Yup, their is a my non-picture taking baby.

It was the greatest day!  Not exactly how we usually celebrate, but I think a new tradition.  I am beyond blessed with the most amazing children, and love celebrating them on their special day.

How can this sweet girl be 4 already?  I love you sweetness!!