Auntie Treat

Sunday Aunt Debi treated the kids to a special trip + treats. 

Micah took an especially long nap so it took us longer to get out then originally planned so the treat of ice cream grew into ice cream and french fries...for dinner.  I guess Aunt Debi doesn't fly down to our place every weekend, so we can fudge on dinner when she does. Micah decided to try dipping his french fries in his ice cream cone.  Love that he figured this out on his own--so cute and great taste!

By the end of her stay Micah was excitedly calling, "Bebe!" (Debi in MicahSpeak)  He woke up hesitant every morning/nap time but warmed up with great enthusiasm within the hour.
Korban loved the trip.

My mom is such a beautiful and amazing woman.  Love her so much.
Pa + Grandma took the kids playing while Aunt Debi + I enjoyed some sister talk.

Monday my mom, Korban + I took Aunt Debi to the airport.  We snuck out a little early to enjoy some Panera before driving to the airport.  Mom + I enjoyed a little shopping/girl time afterwards, too.  I consider it my last escape before back to reality when my parents leave tomorrow.  And I handle 3 children on my own.  THREE.  Three & under.  One adult.  I can do this...right?  Say a prayer for me...well, all of us!

Weekend Visitor

Friday morning my mom, Korban and I picked up my sister from the airport--YAY!  She flew all the way down from Canada to visit us, meet baby, and take pictures for us.  We stopped for a girl's lunch at one of Debi's favorite restaurants.
Then we did a little shopping, including one of my fav places for accessories

On the way home we drove through Sonic for slushies/limeades.

When Debi comes to Florida we try to make sure she's treated to some of her favorite American stores + restaurants.

While we were enjoying our girl's day Grandpa + Dad held down the fort with Ivory + Micah.  So grateful for these incredible men!  Jason took Ivory to see the homecoming parade--which she loved.  That night he also took her to the foot ball game while Aunt Debi + Mommy enjoyed some sister time.

Sweet, beautiful Lyndsey + Ivory (thanks for tagging us in this sweet picture, Donna!).

When I went to pick Ivory up from the football game on the ride home I asked her what she saw at the game. "There were princesses there! Lyndsey and Chelsea were princeses and other girls. They were inside the gate and then they got out. How did they get out of there?"

I asked her about the football players.  "They were playing football in that gate and I wanted to go in there but Daddy said I couldn't."

"Well, you could get hurt out there."

"When I grow big can I play football?"

"Ummm....we'll see when you get big."


Saturday morning we just had to take Aunt Debi to one of our favorite local shops--the donut shop.  Pa treated us to a delish breakfast Micah anxious to get out of his stroller to eat.

After a delish breakfast we headed back to the house where we worked on a newborn photo shoot of our sweet little man.  My sister works magic.  Thanks Pa + Daddy for playing outside with the kids during this time.  Be looking for some gorgeous pictures soon to come!

That evening we went for a family photo shoot at the marina and then took Aunt Debi to our favorite Mexican restaurant--Pepper's. Aunt Debi + Micah--love watching my kids enjoy their aunt.
Soaking up every minute of time we have together and blown away by the magic she works with her camera.  Love her so much and hate how far we live from each other.  Thankful for the visits we get together.

l.a. loft bags

These are a few close-ups of the bags I sold at our church sale.
Brown moda bag (forgot to photograph the duffel that matched) Black + pink tote Large red tote

Luncheon with Friends

Sadly, Nina had to leave today.  But, we did enjoy a great lunch with her and the family on Thursday. 

We brought some cookies with us.  Thanks Joni for helping us!
Tried out this great flourless peanut butter chocolate chip cookies recipe for Jason.  SUPER easy & delish. 

Source: chocolateandcarrots.com via Lee Ann on Pinterest

We also made some giant mini m&m cookies.  They also tasted great!

Source: howsweeteats.com via Lee Ann on Pinterest

Lunch with Nina, Cassie, MikeMike, Bobo, Papa, Meme, Grandma, Pa, Michael, Daddy, Ivory, Micah + Korban. Playing with the girls.
Micah was happy with a ball, play dough + color crayons.  Ivory enjoyed a nature walk with Meme + picked some berries.

Korban was thrilled with the whole visit.  I love this sweet, happy little boy.  Did I mention Wednesday night he slept 8 hours straight?  10pm to 6am.  This Mom can't remember the last time she slept that long.  Heavenly. 

Clothes for Korban

When we had a small cold snap last week I realized Korban had very little winter clothing that fit.  As in only, oh, one pair of pants that fit + one long sleeve shirt.  We went looking for some Carter's clothing and I was shocked by how expensive full priced clothing items are.  4 onesies for $26?  Really?  I am so blessed by hand-me-downs + consignment items.  Anyways, the onesies I actually found on sale for $16 but the pants I just couldn't cough up $8 for--really?  So, I went home that night and cut out 7 pairs of pants, a shirt + 3 hats from old t-shirts.

This outfit is part of the results.  The others may or may not be photographed.  Time is not the greatest commodity these days.  Though, it has been in greater abundance because of so many helping hands. 

Love my sweet sailor boy.

Korban Love

Ivory + Korban.  The kids love their brother so much.  They both love holding + snuggling him + giving him gentle, sweet kisses.  Ivory loved it when her dad put Korban next to her in bed for a few minutes before nap time.  Such sweet, snuggly moments.
Jason asked Micah the other day if he wanted to hold Korban.  Micah sat down & held out his arms with a big smile.  He loved holding Korban and just sat there kissing him and looking at him.  The other day I had Micah + Korban on the bed and I asked Micah if he could talk to Korban and he said, "Hi!"  I asked him if he could show him the sign language he knows and he signed the words he knows to him.  So cute.  And it was cute...until Micah decided to sit on Korban's head.  He thought he was playing and being silly like when he wrestles with Ivory and he didn't sit down fully or hurt Korban (Korban didn't cry or even whimper).  Oh this kid will be tough.

Daddy + Korban
Love seeing my man with our children.  Such a good daddy. We really enjoyed having both grandparents sets visiting here--and the kids thoroughly enjoyed the attention and spoiling.

Bath Art

Ivory's artistic side has been coming out in her drawings lately.
She enjoys sketching + shading.
And detailing her drawings with eyes, nose, mouth, hair, bows, and other details.  Love watching this side of her come out.

Birthday bags

Recent sewing for birthdays:

This purse was made using this free buttercup bag pattern (I enlarged the pattern and scaled it to a larger size).

Source: made-by-rae.com via Lee Ann on Pinterest

I made this sunglass case for Grandma to match the bag we made her earlier this summer.  Purse flashback

New Swingset + Grandparent Fun

We were graciously given a new swingset this week.  And thanks to some transporting help from guys at the church and daddy + grandaddy's skills the swingset is operational and already being greatly enjoyed by our kiddos as evidenced below.

On Monday Jason and I snuck away and left all three kids (yes, I know--so fast!) with Grandaddy, Nana, Grandma + Pa.  We enjoyed dinner + a little birthday shopping for Jason.  Thanks for the date, ya'll!

Our kids are thoroughly spoiled by now...and so is their Mom.  When Grandma + Pa leave you just might find me rocking back in forthi n a fetal position wailing in self pity.  Maybe.  Until then we'll just enjoy them and all the excitement coming this weekend with my sister's soon arrival!!!

Nana + Grandaddy Visit

Story time with Nana + Grandaddy--the kids adore their grandparents. Nana + Micah Grandaddy + Micah

Micah + Granaddy hang tight.
Nana + Ivory
Ivory was anxious to roast hot dogs on Saturday so Daddy, jumping at the chance to build another fire, obliged her.
Even Korban joined us for the bonfire in the sling I quickly sewed that afternoon.  Will try to get better pictures later--navy blue linen trimmed with creme muslin.

We roasted hot dogs Grandma wrapped in her special dough and marshmallows for smores.
Micah laughing with Grandaddy.

Sunday morning cuteness.  Finally able to wear this outfit from sweet Sarah--thank you, Sarah!  I sure looked spiffy for church. Micah looking for baby.  He loves his baby. Grandaddy + Korban before church.

A very fun weekend and relaxing Sunday afternoon (at least for Mom!).  We are really enjoying our time with both grandparents and are so glad they could come!