Father's Day 2015

For Father's Day this year, our church had a sports themed service with breakfast for the dads beforehand.  It was an amazing idea that I hope they will continue in the future. 

Before church, Emmy gave her daddy the card that she and Lincoln worked on.  She was so proud of her hard work, and it was adorable if I do say so myself.



Was there any surprise that our family showed up decked out in Aggie gear?



Lincoln made sure to tell Papa Happy Father's Day too.



My whole little world wrapped up in one photo guys.  I think Bradley looks pretty happy too. I'm glad we could take some time out to make him feel appreciated.  He works so hard to make sure that we are all happy and cared for.  Love you Bradley!  You are an amazing dad.

Emmy's Bow-tique

If fun and fashion are what you seek, you're always welcome at Emmy's Bowtique.


For her fourth birthday, Emmy chose to have a Minnie Mouse party.  Since we were about a month into having a new baby, I thought this was a fabulous idea.  I could go to Party City and buy decorations and we could have a low key affair.   I'm sure you can guess how that turned out. 

I really had the best intentions on not going overboard, but my mom kept egging me on and so we had to put a few extra "projects" in.  Without further ado, here is Emmy's Bowtique.  The kids seemed to have a great time, and I'm glad that Emmy got to choose something that she really does love right now.

I bought lots of hair bows at Sam Moon and we made these little center pieces.  I could have done more to them, but we were taking it "easy".  :)




My cousin had a Minnie party for her daughter too, so she sent me some of there left over decorations.  CHA-CHING.  I told her we can do this every year. These were the best kinds of leftovers.



Lincoln decided that there needed to be a little Mickey at the party too.





I tried to get pictures of as many of the kids as I could by the Minnie wall.



BUT some of them preferred to be outside on the bounce houses.  Can you imagine that?  Shout out to my dad and Brad for setting up not one but two bounce houses.  I was shocked when I went outside.





Rae of course made some of her beautiful creations after the catastrophe that I caused last year.  They were beautiful and delicious.





Fun was had by everyone!









When it was time to come in, you could tell that everyone was having a good time by the color in their cheeks and the sweat in their hair.  That's four-year-old speak for good times.


We served Pizza Hut pizza, and that really did save a ton of time. The only food that Mom and I made was a few dips and a fruit tray.  That took a lot of stress off of us day of, and it was really a lot cheaper.





We played a fun game called pass the Lincoln.  You can tell that he was enjoying every minute of it.



It was finally time for the birthday girl to have her moment.  I love the way the crepe paper background looks in the photos.  Best two hours I spent on this party.  (Yes, that took two hours).





She was so sweet and happy to have a cupcake.



Everyone else enjoyed them too.





I kept this party on track, and we started opening gifts.







She got so many pretty things, and there was Minnie Mouse stuff overflowing.  You can tell from that smile how she felt about all the Minnie stuff.



It was a great party, and it lasted just over two hours.  That's like a record for us folks.  This proved to me that you can have a good party where everyone has fun without doing "every" pinterest project that you pinned.  Maybe next year we will really do a simple party.

I wouldn't hold your breath.

Happy Fourth Birthday Emmy Baby!  We love you lots, and we hope that you had a bowtiful day at your party!

Bek's Graduation

Our little baby Rebekah is growing up!  Bek's graduation was a ton of fun.  We headed up there on Friday morning, so we could help Aunt Cindy decorate the house.  They had her party right after graduation.  It was a little stressful for Aunt Cindy, but so nice in the long run since they got everything done that night before Rebekah went to project graduation. Here's a little run-down of the weekend.

Lincoln was such a trooper on the way there. He was a great riding buddy!



JT was so proud of his sister at graduation.



Rebekah got lots of awards and honors that night (and some scholarships too!).



She looked so pretty when she accepted her diploma!  All of her hard work paid off.



There were lots of family in from out of town to wish her well.  We got to meet our newest little cousin, Landry.



After we left the ceremony, we headed back to their house to PARTAAAY!



Everyone was in good spirits and ready to revel in  Bek's accomplishments.



These little kiddos were more interested in each other.



I see some mischief makers in the making!



That weekend, we spent plenty of time being with family and enjoying our hotel's amenities.  The girls loved the indoor pool.



All too soon, it was time to go home.  These little divas knew they would miss each other, but they knew it wouldn't be long until they saw each other again.




Happy Graduation Rebekah!  We are so proud of everything you have done so far, and  we know the best is yet to come for you.  You can and will do everything you set your mind on, and we can't wait to be there for you all along the way.  :)

Lincoln- Month One

You survived in this crazy world for a month Lincoln!

Right now you wear newborn diapers and newborn clothes, but since your Mommy likes variety, I have started to put you in some 0-3 clothes.  They are big, but if we are just at home, it's fine.  At your one month check-up, you weighed 8 pounds and 11 ounces and were still about 20 inches long (so the nurse said).  This wouldn't be that alarming except you weighed almost a pound less (15 ounces) at your two week appointment that we did almost a week late.  Until that point, I was still a little worried about whether or not you were getting enough to eat, but when I saw where the scale landed that day, I knew you were going to be okay.

We have a pretty nice schedule set-up so far, and I am really trying to keep that up.  You eat every three hours right now, so at 7, 10, 1, 4 (repeat), you know where we will be.  Night time is the only time that we get a little off schedule because you just don't wake up.  I really try to be a good mom, and I want to wake up and feed you, but it's hard to wake myself up if you aren't awake to keep me company.  At your appointment, the doctor said it is okay for you to sleep for five hours at night now so Hallelujah!  We will all be just a little happier.  I am ever so confident that if I can keep this up now, you just might be my baby who goes to bed at a decent hour every night without an act of Congress.

You are such a great traveler so far.  You've made two trips to College Station, trips to Houston/Sugarland, and all the way to Palestine for Rebekah's graduation.  You just sleep the day away while we are in the car, and I think you woke up once because you were starting to get a little hungry.  No screams though, just little awake eyes acknowledging that some food would be a good idea.

I've taken you out into the general public a few times now.  You've gone out to lunch a few times with Papa.  You went to church once.  You went in Target for a quick dash and grab on the way home from an appointment.  You survived, so I might be willing to take you out more.

People can't believe how alert you are when you are awake.  You stare into people eyes with your big blues, and it really seems like you know just what is going on.  You also are a great tracker so you can follow our movements around the room.  You've given us a few really sweet "gas" smiles already, but I am waiting for one that is a response smile. Hopefully it will be in response to something your sweet Mommy does. ;)


By the way, did you know that you already think you are grown?  When we hold you, you refuse to just lay there like a baby.  You pick up your head and look around--and you can hold it up for a good while!  You also jerk and push away sometimes with alarming strength, so we have to keep a pretty tight grasp on you, our little wiggle worm.


Your sister loves you more than we could have hoped or imagined.  In her mind, you are her baby.  You are the first thing she asks about when she gets home from daycare, and the last person she wants to kiss each night before she goes to bed. 

You love: Mommy, Daddy, Nana, Beanie, Papa, Kari,  the swing, WATCHING TV (Nana already turns Disney Junior on for you when she changes your diaper because you "like it"), being held (you sleep so deeply if someone is snuggling you), BEING SWADDLED (I can't say enough how much you love being wrapped up tight), your pacifier,  car rides, the rock-n-sleep (you sleep by yourself a majority of the night!), and baby classical music (we found a few good ones on YouTube that you are particularly fond of).

You don't care for: Getting your diaper changed (sure to get a scream from you), dropping your pacifier, breaking your swaddle during the night (you will wake up), having to wait too long to eat once you are awake, loud sudden noises, and getting a bath (you screamed the whole time that first night).